All posts by Hearts & Homes for Youth

Jack and Jill of America, Inc. Montgomery Chapter shows support!

Get to know our programs, Thank you to our supporters, Volunteering

20161112_142749On Saturday three social workers from Hearts & Homes for Youth Damamli/TFC programs met with kids involved in the Montgomery County Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. and spoke with them about the different types of homelessness and the different people affected by homelessness.

Following the discussion, the youth broke into groups and developed short skits to demonstrate particular problems faced by individuals experiencing homelessness. They reflected on the feelings and struggles facing these individuals on a daily basis, and brainstormed ways to demonstrate compassion for people in such situations.

The youth donated cookies they had decorated along with over 500 diapers, over 1000 wipes, over 30 pairs of socks, and over 35 under garments for youth in Hearts & Homes for Youth’s Damamli/TFC program.  The donations are greatly appreciated and will benefit many young mothers and foster youth in our care!

A trip to the nation’s capital!

Activities for the youth

14962699_10154771730857112_8948442934987831138_nYesterday some of the youth in our care were treated to a tour and bowling at the #ExecutiveBuilding at the #WhiteHouse! Our youth enjoyed the unique and inspiring experience of dressing up, going to DC, and visiting the nation’s capital building! #brighterfutures

Unique experiences like this support our youth’s growth, development, and healing and play an integral role in empowering them to build brighter futures!

JWCCC hosts Election Night “Dialogues”

Activities for the youth, ,

teaserbox_4100095739On Tuesday, the Junior Women’s Club of Chevy Chase hosted an Election Night activity for the girls in our programs as part of their GEMS project. The women cooked a healthy potluck dinner with the girls and had dialogues about the elections and issues that are important to them.

The girls from our programs were put into teams with JWCCC volunteers and listed issues and topics that are important to them such as healthcare, educational support, women’s supportive services, and the value of unique recreational experiences on the weekends. The issues were discussed in small groups and together they brainstormed solutions.

The activity was deliberately called “dialogues” rather than “debates” to encourage the participants to listen to each other, recognize their own and each other’s underlying values and beliefs, and see what they have in common.

Thank you Sheridan School!

In the community

img_2929For a number of years, Sheridan School parents and staff have invited the students to donate some of their Halloween candy to Hearts & Homes for Youth! We are grateful again this year to everyone at Sheridan School for selecting Hearts & Homes for Youth again this year to receive the donation of Halloween candy from your students!

img_2930Our agency prioritizes ensuring the youth feel care for and feel welcome the moment they arrive. This welcome is warmly complemented by a bag of candy that we can give to each youth that is theirs. It is a great, small gesture to show each child and teen that we care about each and every one of them.

Some of the candy is kept at our main office and put in a bowl in the kitchen that we invite the youth to help themselves to when they come to the office. Again, it is a small gesture, but the kids respond positively to it and are very appreciative!

 

Celebrate the Holiday Spirit – Adopt a Wish List!

Activities for the youth, In the community, ,

1This holiday season you can make a difference in a child’s life by answering their holiday wish list!

By answering a wish list, you can make a child or teen at Hearts & Homes for Youth feel cared for and supported as they work toward building a brighter future!

To learn more or to sign up to make this holiday season very special for a young person contact Hazel Eguia at 301-679-1283 or heguia@heartsandhomes.org!

Helpful Tips

  • Do not feel obligated to fulfill the entire wish list, anything you can get to help the youth in our care will be greatly appreciated!
  • Please do not wrap the gifts, but gift bags are greatly appreciated! Please label the items with the child’s name and program name
  • If you bundle gifts into boxes or plastic bags, you can use one label for all
  • If you are donating gift cards/certificates, please put them in a sealed envelop
  • We can arrange a pick up of the gift donations if needed. If delivering gifts, please bring them to:

Hearts & Homes for Youth
3919 National Drive, Suite 400
Burtonsville, MD 20866

  • All donations should be received by Thursday, December 15, 2016. If this is not possible, please let us know!

Gift card collection drive!

Thank you to our supporters

09ljgfbk1xHearts & Homes for Youth is launching a gift card collection drive! Our goal is, with your help, to amass 500 gift cards in the amounts of $20, $50, and $100 to places such as Target, Giant, and Walmart where there is a wide selection. We also accept Visa gift cards.

Many of the youth in our care are foster youth and have, for much of their lives, received donations. While they are grateful for the items, they also love the opportunity to choose for themselves, something they want or need. The purpose in collecting gift cards is to give the youth in our care the opportunity to pick something for themselves, that they want or need.

We would be grateful for support from individuals, groups, organizations, churches, and businesses! If you would like to get involved, please contact Caitlin Ward at cward@heartsandhomes.org