All posts by Hearts & Homes for Youth

Exciting summer ahead!

Activities for the youth

938ED3EE9EWe have an exciting summer coming up for the youth in our care! In June, BB&T will hold an “End of School Year Bash & BBQ” for our youth! A few days later, in the beginning of July, we will hold an event to recognize one of our partner nonprofit organizations and a scholarship received by one of our foster youth! We are also looking forward to bringing an art program from another nonprofit to one of our group homes – more information coming soon!

In the middle of July, we are holding the Princess Party for the girls and young women in our care. Click here to see more about the event and how you can get involved! In August we will host the Kings of Style Party. Click here to see more about the event and how you can get involved!

We are working with other organizations to put on more exciting events for our youth this summer. Keep checking our website, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter to stay up to date on upcoming events, volunteer opportunities, and exciting news!

Hearts & Homes youth receives Featured Scholar award!

Words from our youth

20150527_210734We are very proud to share that one of the young men in our care was recently recognized as a Featured Scholar at his high school! David has been receiving counseling, therapy, academic support, vocational support, behavior modification, and life skills training at John C. Tracey Group Home. In addition to having a stable and supportive home, David found a mentor at his high school – with this foundation, David was able to sort out his thoughts, realize opportunities, and redefine himself.

The high school staff member at David’s high school who served as his mentor was proud to present him with the award and plaque. He said:

“When David arrived at our high school, he had several challenges past and present that he needed to overcome. Many times he was at a cross road. Do I let my past decisions chart my future? Do I understand who I really am? What do I really want to do? More important, where do I want to go? David has often been challenged by his peers. At times these challenges resulted in poor decision making and consequences. I found David trying to separate himself from negative peer interactions and actually coming to me during his lunch time indirectly seeking answers and trying to define himself. I was witnessing a transformation and a reinvention in David.

David would ask my opinion on various topic, in particular, about humanity. I would give my responses and he was receptive. Sometimes he would present me with a deep question and we would discuss it at length. We began to bond and exchange our views on education, behavior, man’s existence, and purpose. My office became a sanctuary for him; a place where he could go and continue to define himself. He continued to express his goals and views on paper, and I would give him feedback. Little did I know that he was laying the foundations for a group he and another peer built. With this group, David has been extremely open, honest, and transparent with his peers about his past dilemmas and present goals.

It is an honor for me to stand here and present this award to David who is a role model for his peers and has earned this distinction.”

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David’s story is remarkable because it shows that a young person can overcome anything and achieve great things with a stable home, a supportive environment, and a mentor. If you would like to get involved and mentor, here are some opportunities:

Give some love, change a life

Get to know our programs, Volunteering

WNT32S7DE1Hearts and Homes for Youth provides what every child deserves – a home, a family, and the opportunity to realize their hopes and dreams.

The word childhood conjures up images of playing ball, climbing trees, school, homework, mealtimes, and coming home to a warm, secure and safe bed – routines most of us take for granted.

But, for far too many children, “childhood” is simply a time for survival.  Whether it’s due to abuse, neglect, addiction or death of a caregiver, many children are “on their own” and with lives that are difficult and bleak at best.  That’s where Hearts & Homes for Youth comes in. We treat every child AS IF THEY WERE OUR OWN.

Hearts & Homes for Youth takes children with mental, emotional, and deep trust issues due to trauma and lack of attachment, and couple them with nurturing and trained caregivers; a surrogate family who form lasting bonds with the children.  This occurs because we put the child’s interests above anything else.

Once the safe and secure bonds begin to form, these children flourish.   They grow and mature intellectually, emotionally, socially and morally.

The youth in our care are referred to us by the Department of Juvenile Services as an alternative to detention, or the Department of Social Services to remove them from an unsafe environment. Myiesha was a young woman who was removed from an unsafe environment. Myiesha came to Hearts & Homes having  just turned age 18. Her mother, addicted to drugs, gave her up to an uncle and various relatives. Myiesha endured years of abuse, neglect and was essentially discarded. Throughout her tumultuous upbringing Myiesha did not have positive role models, trusting relationships, unconditional love or structure and the boundaries a young girl needs to develop into a productive, independent young lady.

Pregnant when she came to Hearts & Homes and into the foster home of Ms. Poindexter,  Myeshia chose to keep her baby.  We realized that given the proper guidance Myeshia could and would bond with her foster parent as well as learn proper parenting skills and bond with her baby at the same time.

With time, Myeisha built a strong relationship with her foster mother, enrolled in college, held a job, and made a good life for herself and her son.

Since 1964 Hearts & Homes for Youth has provided homes and families for more than 40,000 children and teen mothers with their babies in group homes, emergency shelter care, therapeutic group homes, foster care, independent living, and a homeless shelter. Each night, up to 176 children are at “home” in a safe, secure and loving place where the are cared for as if they were our own.

You know these children. Just look into the faces, the eyes, the smiles of your own or the kids next door. You will see and know the children and youth of Hearts & Homes.

Please join us and the thousands of others in the community who have literally saved the young lives of so many over the years and the many more yet to come and for whom you will come to care as if they were your own.  We will provide the home and the family. Help us to provide the heart. Click here to see how you can get involved!

Make summer resolutions!

Family tips, , ,

Q7UIKF58IRAs the school year draws to a close and we move into summer, it is great idea to make some summer resolutions focused on making your family a priority –  to spend more time together, have more conversations, and have fun together!

Think of resolutions that fit your family and your summer plans. Here are some ideas to get you started!

Delegate chores
Give your children specific chores that they can each be responsible for. They will feel helpful and you will appreciate the help!

Ask questions, listen and share!
Talk to your kids! Ask them about their school year and what they are looking forward to next year. Ask them what they are most excited about this summer. Share some stories from your childhood! Tell them about some of your great summer memories! Talk about the week, upcoming plans, and work out family problems.

Plan family trips
Whether you can get away together for an hour, a day, a weekend, or more, planning a family trip can help strengthen family bonds. Pick a place where you can explore and learn together, or a place that has special memories you can share.

Cook and eat together
Pick a recipe, go to the grocery store together, pick up the ingredients, and make a meal together! Spend time asking your kids about what cuisines they like and what they would enjoy making! Talk to your kids about the culture and traditions that correspond with the cuisine you are cooking. Then sit down together and enjoy the delicious meal you have made together!

Go for walks
A walk is a great way to calm down, clear your mind, and get some exercise together. You can talk with your kids about your day, about the community, or upcoming plans!

Volunteer
Speak with your kids and pick a community service project to get involved in together! Volunteering with your kids in the community will make you all feel great!

Play a game
Turn the TV off, turn your cell phones off, and pick out a game  – Scrabble, Risk, Pictionary, Monopoly, Stratego, Charades, Farkle, Go Fish, Uno, Connect Four, Twister, or another! Enjoy the time together!

Create a family night
Pick one night a week for family night. This is the night every week that you and your family get together to cook, bake, play a game, watch a movie, or enjoy another activity. If you stick with it, the family night could become a ritual and last through the next school year!

Make each child feel special.
Whether you have one kid or many, make a commitment to spend time doing something unique with each child. Whether it’s throwing a baseball, ice skating, painting, or something else your kids will feel important to you!

Make time for your spouse
Dedicate time to your partner. You are parents, but you are also friends and lovers and those relationships need time and nurturing! Schedule a date night for the two of you and have fun!

Celebrating our Damamli mothers

Get to know our programs

Damamli Digest May 2016-page-001We were excited to honor our young mothers from our Damamli Program at a special Mother’s Day Dinner held on May 11, 2015! At the event, each mother was recognized for the amazing parent that she is to her child, enjoyed a delicious Italian dinner catered by Squisito restaurant, received a special gift from the program, and received artwork created by their child.

Being in foster care is a challenge on it’s own, but being in foster care while charged with the important responsibility of raising a child is a task that can sometimes be overwhelming and often seem impossible, but our clients face this challenge every day and work hard to ensure that they are creating bright futures for their children, and for that we are so proud of them!

Great Thursday news about our Super Moms!

Get to know our programs

Damamli MomOur Damamli Mother-Baby clients have been working extremely hard on their goals and we would like to recognize their achievements.

  • Natalie – for starting a job at Forman Mills Department Store
  • Stephanie – for starting a job at Forman Mills Department Store
  • Brie -for starting a job at McDonald’s
  • Susie – for starting a job at Price Rite supermarket and completing a successful spring semester at Coppin State University
  • Lara – for starting a job at a temp agency, and applying for jobs at Giant and Aldi grocery stores
  • Samandra – for applying to Family Dollar and Giant supermarket
  • Brenda – for her upcoming high school graduation from Baltimore Academy
  • Melissa – for her upcoming high school graduation from Heritage High School

Our young mothers work hard as soon as they come into our care, to get in school and to get jobs. They understand the value of education and the importance  of making and saving money. The take every challenge head on and strive to learn life skills to be wonderful mothers for their children.

We currently have openings in both our Damamli Therapeutic Foster Care and Independent Living Programs! Please contact Program Administrator Jessica McKinnie, LCSW-C – to schedule an interview, she can be reached at: 443-864-5637 or jmckinnie@heartsandhomes.org

We need clothing racks! – Thank you TJ Maxx in Olney!

Activities for the youth, Volunteering

IMG_1064We shared our need for clothing racks only moments ago…

We said, “this picture speaks for itself and we need your help…”

TJ Maxx in Olney responded!

We are so grateful to TJ Maxx in Olney for lending us four racks to use this summer! We are so glad to have these racks to hang the beautiful dresses and suits that have been donated by the community so our youth can get dressed up for the Princess Party and Kings of Style Party this summer!

This is all thanks to our own Claudia Mercado who reached out to her friend, TJ Maxx Manager Will Ball! Thank you Claudia for requesting the racks, thank you Gary Jones for helping transport the racks to the main office, and thank you TJ Maxx in Olney!

 

To learn more about the Princess Party and Kings of Style Party, contact Vicki Valle at vicki@heartsandhomes.org

Lanigan Ryan Malcolm & Doyle PC Charity Golf Tournament

Thank you to our supporters

IMG_1075Hearts & Homes for Youth and Maryland Family Network were the beneficiaries On May 4, 2015 Lanigan Ryan Malcolm & Doyle PC‘s 23rd Annual Invitational Charity Golf Tournament at Argyle Country Club.

Hearts & Homes for Youth helps abused, homeless, and emotionally troubled youth through a variety of supportive programs, providing counseling, advocacy, educational support, workforce readiness, and life skills training. Maryland Family Network is an advocate and catalyst for the development of a strong system of quality child care, early education, and family support.

“We are grateful for Lanigan Ryan Malcolm & Doyle’s support to ensure that the young people in our care are provided with the tools, resources, and experiences they need to support their growth and development, help them get back on the right track, learn to live with independence, and pursue their goals,” said Caitlin Ward, Hearts & Homes’ Director of Community Relations.

“The more the public is aware of the impact of safe and supportive homes and services for emotionally troubled and victimized youth, the greater impact our advocacy efforts will have on the state and national level to increase access to our programs.”

Lanigan Ryan Malcolm & Doyle has sponsored the Annual Invitational Charity Golf Tournament for the past 23 years. Each year a different charitable organization is chosen as the recipient of the proceeds from the event. Hearts & Homes is grateful to have been chosen as one of the charities of choice. Hearts & Homes staff enjoyed the successful event and participating in the event.

Kemp Mill climbs to practice mindfulness!

Activities for the youth, Family tips

20150412_131410The focus of Mental Health Awareness week is mindfulness and at Hearts & Homes, we believe recreational activities are a great way to practice mindfulness. Recently our young men from Kemp Mill went rock climbing. The challenging and leisurely sport is a great way to give your mind and body a workout, practice listening to your body, and clear your mind.

Recreational activities are vital for the health of body and mind. We regularly provide the youth with recreational activities such as sport training, group games, going to the gym, and other activities. The various recreational activities help youth learn how to deal with stress, learn how to participate in organized activity, develop confidence, improve coordination, get a positive self-image, and recognize positive lifestyle choices.

If you ever have trouble dealing with stress, we recommend getting some fresh air, take a walk, and if you can, go rock climbing and you might reach new heights.

What’s going on at Avis Birely Group Home?

Get to know our programs

Back to School Picnic (3) We have some great news to share about the residents and staff at Avis Birely Group Home for Boys! We all know how important recreational activity is for the mind and body and in April, the young men at Avis Birely began a new activity that will continue through summer! The residents are participating in boxing lessons at a nearby Boxing Gym. The youth are being trained by the owner who is also providing lessons of discipline and self-control. In addition to getting a hard core workout, the young men are learning how to take out their stresses in a safe, controlled environment. They are also improving coordination, body awareness, confidence, and self-esteem!

We are proud to report that Avis Birely has a new Acting Senior Counselor, Mr. Ronald Lilley who has been promoted from counselor at Avis Birely, where he has worked since his date of hire. Mr. Ronald is reliable, dependable and well-respected by the residents and his colleagues. He regularly displays outstanding leadership qualities. In his new role Mr. Ronald will continue to be one of the many faces of the program representing Avis Birely and Hearts & Homes in the community, and provide support and guidance to both the staff and our youth. 

Individually, the youth at Avis Birely have a lot to be proud of. For example, Jesse entered Avis Birely with a history of truancy. He currently is in 10th grade and has zero unexcused absences. Jesse attends school each day and is well liked by his teachers. He currently has a chronic health disorder that he is receiving treatment for. Jesse is expected to be successfully discharged from the program at the end of the school year in June. To assist with a seamless transition home, staff at Avis Birely have put together a comprehensive health plan that includes physicians and specialists in his area who will be able to follow up with his treatment when he returns home to Baltimore.

Wally is from Montgomery County, he has been attending a local school, playing recreational basketball, and conditioning for the upcoming football recreation summer league as quarterback. Wally earned a 3.4 GPA this past quarter. Wally is making great progress in the program and is expected to return home this upcoming summer.

Justin entered Avis Birely with family issues. Through family therapy facilitated by Avis Birely’s Social Worker, Justin has been working on improving his relations with family members. He has been going home on the weekends over the past two months and each visit has been successful. Justin’s mother has also learned how to provide some support to Justin, to assist him with de-escalation. Justin is making great progress in our program. 

Chris has a history of being bullied and as a result, he has been taking out his frustrations and anger on other people at school. Chris has been receiving encouragement and support from a residential peer regarding self-esteem and as a result, his behaviors are improving. He and some of his peers were recently recognized by their school for their behavior improvements and were taken on a REWARDS trip to Sugar Loaf Mountain.

James, a newer resident, has begun school in May. He was initially resistant but after attending his first day, he had a change of heart. He currently is working on his anger management with the clinical team at Avis Birely.