All posts by Hearts & Homes for Youth

Thank You Junior Women’s Club of Chevy Chase!

Thank you to our supporters

JWCCCHS1The Junior Women’s Club of Chevy Chase (JWCCC) has for a long time been generous and committed to the Helen Smith Group Home for Girls in Takoma Park. They have come and spent time baking with the girls, given the girls an opportunity to engage with the community and raise money for other nonprofits (pay it forward), took the girls trick or treating, had the house’s picture of Helen Smith re-framed, and much more.

This autumn, the JWCCC used the funds that they raised in their 2014-2015 efforts to buy a stove, deep freezer, and some kitchen necessities for the Helen Smith Home, which will be delivered to Helen Smith next Monday!! They are also mailing a donation of $970 to Hearts & Homes this week!

In addition to the incredible donations, the JWCCC will be starting up their hands-on, project-based program for at-risk youth (GEMS – girls mentoring project) at Helen Smith soon and we are looking forward to seeing the impact of these incredible role models!

Illuminating Futures at HONORS 2015!

Hearts & Homes events

HONORS 2015 was an incredible night at The Fillmore in Silver Spring, with our family, friends, and supporters! We enjoyed wonderful and music with wonderful company! We enjoyed recognizing Rob Chasteen-Scheer, Markita Bryant, Sgt. David Jenks, Board Member Alan Schulman, and Staff Rhonda Outen for their extraordinary contributions to the youth in our care and our organization.  Check out the Step & Repeat pictures from the special night!

Boss Up Your Brains, Body & Beauty – A Tracey Brown Workshop

Hearts & Homes events

DSC00328On Saturday, November 14th. Tracey Brown will be coming to Hearts & Homes to provide a confidence building workshop for our girls. The workshop, titled Boss Up Your Brains, Body & Beauty will be focused on self-image, self-confidence, and talking about the girls’ dreams and aspirations!

Tracey Brown is an accomplished woman. She is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Blinging Beauty, a beauty expert, freelance writer, editor, journalist, spokesperson at Brown Beauty Consulting, and one of the architect of Sephora.com.

In addition to her professional endeavors, Tracey Brown is a member of Look Good…Feel Better, volunteers with physicians who treat burn survivors, and mentors teenage girls through self-esteem workshops.

Last year, Tracey Brown treated the girls of Hearts & Homes to a workshop on Body Image and Self Esteem. One of the activities was for the girls to create a brand for themselves that represented their core values! The girls and volunteers took time cutting a variety of pictures out of magazines and explained how the images represent them and the expectations they believe are held for them.

Tracey Brown treated all of our girls last year to gift bags full of cosmetics, t-shirts, and other items that reminded the girls they are special and cared about. She also gave them makeup and hygiene tips – “it’s not about covering up, it’s about accentuating.”

Hearts & Homes is grateful to Tracey Brown for holding a workshop again this year! If you would like to volunteer for this event, contact Vicki Valle at vicki@heartsandhomes.org

Crowds turn out to support charity at MOD Pizza in Columbia!

Hearts & Homes events, In the community, Thank you to our supporters

IMG_0019Yesterday MOD Pizza opened a new location at Columbia Mall in Howard County. This is one of two new locations in Maryland.

To celebrate their grand opening, MOD Pizza donated 100 percent of all pizza sales to Hearts & Homes for Youth!

“We are giving 100 percent of our pizza sales today to Hearts & Homes for Youth and we are glad to help support the amazing stuff they’re doing in the community,” said Charlotte Wayte, MOD Marketing Manager.

“We are so thrilled to be the beneficiary of MOD Pizza’s grand opening,” said Chloe Perez, Hearts & Homes President & CEO. “MOD Pizza has an incredible business ethos and sense of community. We are honored that they chose to support our organization and the youth in our care.”

The restaurant gave free pizza to the first fifty-two people through the door and offered giveaways at their grand opening, including pizza for a year.

Hearts & Homes is grateful to our family, friends, and supporters for coming out to supporting our organization and enjoy great pizza! We are also grateful to the Howard County Chamber of Commerce for helping promote the event!

MOD Pizza Grand Opening in Columbia!

Hearts & Homes events, In the community

MOD_Pizza

 

Tuesday, October 6
Starting @ noon
10000 Town Center Avenue, Columbia MD 21044

Come  join us for the grand opening of MOD Pizza at Columbia Mall on Tuesday, October 6th! Doors open at noon and the first 52 people through the door will get free pizza! There will be giveaways, prizes, a photo booth, AND 100% of all pizza sales from opening day will be donated to Hearts & Homes for Youth!

Howard County Police Officers Help Young Mothers Look Ahead

In the community

IMG_4501The ladies in Hearts & Homes’ Damamli (Young Mother) Independent Living Program (ILP) knew that there were some very special guests coming to see them on the evening of September 21st but had no idea the impact that these guests would have on them.

This was the first night of an ILP group series focused on Domestic Violence and our presenter Sergeant Stephanie Wall entered the room wearing her police uniform with her colleague Officer Bonita Linkins, who was dressed in plain clothes.  The ladies were attempting to figure out why the police were at group tonight and didn’t say much.

Sergeant Wall and Officer Linkins began by greeting the ladies, asking them to share their names, and talk about their children. Then both women shared their stories of their personal experience with domestic violence and that they are both survivors.  The young mothers were touched, inspired, and most of all shocked.  Many of them expressed that they would have NEVER guessed based on how these beautifully poised women looked that they were domestic violence survivors.

Our young mothers learned a lot from the strong women who spent time with them that night. They learned that you can grow beyond what is now and make a beautiful ending, no matter where you started from. They were reminded of the importance of being aware of the decisions you make and how they will affect your children. They discussed the importance of positive self talk, and to not only pay attention to the way people talk to you and treat you, but also pay attention to the way you talk to yourself and treat yourself. The officers also told the young mothers about resources available to help survivors of domestic violence feel safe and heal.

Sergeant Wall left the ladies with this thought: “Look beyond what you can see, and focus on what you can imagine”.

“We are grateful for the time Sergeant Wall and Officer Linkins shared with us and cannot thank them enough,” said Damamli Chief Administrator Jessica McKinnie.  “We plan to continue to work together with the officers to positively  impact the lives of our young ladies”

Giving back to the Laurel Boys and Girls Club!

In the community, Volunteering

12046983_10153692660372112_2424682647731365211_nOn Friday, Hearts & Homes staff members joined forces with U.S. Marines from Fort Meade to repaint rooms and hallways at the Laurel Boys and Girls Club.

Volunteers met at the Laurel Boys and Girls Club early in the morning and worked through the early evening. Laurel Boys and Girls Club Representative Adrian Rousseau provided food and refreshments for the volunteers and Home Depot provided the paint and supplies. It was a great community effort!

“The fresh paint has made an incredible difference and we are excited for the kids to see the new look at their club!” said Hearts & Homes CEO Chloe Perez.

Hearts & Homes for Youth gets $20,000 Donation from Bob’s Furniture!

Thank you to our supporters

Bob’s Furniture has delivered $20,000 worth of furniture (98 pieces) to Hearts & Homes for Youth, Maryland’s premier organization serving youth in the state’s Child Welfare and Juvenile Services. The furniture has been delivered to the organization’s group homes where youth receive residential, mental health, and other supportive services.

“Bob’s Discount Furniture is a an exceptionally generous corporate citizen,” said Chloe Perez, President & CEO of Hearts & Homes for Youth. “Over the past two days, Bob’s Furniture has carried out a white glove delivery of 98 pieces of new beds, dressers, and dining room sets to a number of our group homes located across the state of Maryland. Bob and his team’s commitment to giving back is extraordinary and so genuine.  We got to know the team professionally and personally and I am in admiration of their dedication to the community and so grateful for the support.”

Bob’s Discount Furniture provides a wide range of quality furnishings – including living room furniture, bedroom furniture, dining room furniture, office furniture, and home accents – at everyday low prices. The stores also offer a unique and enjoyable shopping experience featuring cafes in each store with free gourmet coffee, ice cream, cookies and candy. Since 1991, Bob’s has built strong customer loyalty by offering the highest-value home furnishings at the lowest possible prices. With 62 furniture stores located throughout New England, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia, the Manchester, Conn-based company has become the 14th largest U.S. furniture chain. Bob’s is committed to supporting communities where its stores are located through a variety of charitable giving efforts. Bob’s Discount Furniture Charitable Foundation has anchored the company’s philanthropic work for more than 15 years. In addition, Bob’s Outreach program was created as a separate entity to help schools and children-related charities. For more information on Bob’s charitable programs, visit: www.bobscares.org. Follow Bob’s on Twitter: @MyBobs. Follow Bob’s on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/MyBobs.

Hearts & Homes for Youth is dedicated to empowering youth who have been abused, neglected or experienced other trauma to make positive life choices and become independent and productive adults. Since 1964, we have served over 40,000 youth.

A success story – the impact of a job

Get to know our programs

SquisitosWe have many amazing youth who pass through our doors but this young man’s story is a one that exemplifies what happens when we truly reach a youth. Joe came to us about this time last year. He had been involved in multiple programs for many years and had become reliant on the system. With no family involved and no plan to become self-sufficient, he floundered and could not grasp the limitless possibilities that we saw for him. He is a kind, intelligent young man whose smile and laughter is contagious but that was not what he saw when he looked in the mirror.

Joe was part of our semi-independent program for nearly a year and received all the services that we provide each youth – counseling, educational advocacy, independent living skills training, recreational opportunities and unconditional support and guidance. We helped him get a job and get enrolled in a GED program. But still he struggled; it was difficult for him to remain motivated and believe in himself. Staff continued to support him and encourage him but it often fell on deaf ears – or so we thought.

Eventually it was time for Joe to leave the program and enter the real world as a young adult. His state worker discharged him from the “system” and he was on his own. We supported him through this transition and then stopped hearing from him. We continued to think about him and hoped that all was well. A few months later, a staff member walked into a restaurant to order food and there was Joe with a huge smile! It turns out that Joe had maintained his full-time job where he is thriving! He also secured an apartment with a positive peer, is in a healthy relationship, and is starting to save money for his future. All those conversations, on-going support, and life lesson stories did not fall on deaf ears! While he could not put them into action in our program, he was able to take what he learned at Hearts & Homes and apply it to the real world and be successful! This illustrates the profound impact we have on our kids, whether they show it or not in the moment, which is why we never give up!

Every young person’s story is different and they all have different needs, healing processes, and ways of feeling empowered. This is why we make every effort to provide each of the youth in our care with a variety of experiences, opportunities, and treatment programs, hoping that at least one will make the difference and help them get back on their feet and back on the right track.

Hearts & Homes for Youth has relied on support from the community since our inception in April of 1964. It was a donation shepherded by Avis Birely from the Montgomery County Council for $25,000 that was matched by the president of Rockville Crushed Stone, that got Hearts & Homes for Youth running, enabling us to serve abused, neglected, and traumatized youth, to help the survivors feel empowered, learn to make positive life choices, and build a new life for themselves.

These children are our future. We need to get them off the street, back in school, into vocational training programs, into safe and supportive homes, and we need them to know that we all care.