The MARFY Youth Achievement Award

Last month, one of our Avis Birely youth had an exciting and unforgettable experience at the 2024 MARFY Youth Achievement Awards. “The annual MARFY Youth Achievement Awards dinner (YAA) has been a tradition for many years for provider agencies, their families, and youth. In a field often focused on the challenges our youth face, the YAA is an evening to celebrate hard work, success, and growth.” Our youth was nominated for this award and was accompanied by Fred Boddie, youth counselor and Cathy Robinson, Director of Operations.

Exploring History and Creating Memories

Our youth had the exciting opportunity to participate in a Black History Film Festival last month. They not only watched inspiring films but also met the actors and individuals portrayed in the films. This experience allowed our youth to connect with role models beyond their screen personas, making it a truly impactful event.

Additionally, our youth engaged in several activities with Mr. Boddie and his church, providing a wonderful chance to interact with staff in a more personal setting. We also enjoyed our monthly dinner outing at TGIF, where everyone expressed how much they loved the experience. Other fun activities included mini golf and goofy bowling, which were great ways for our boys to bond and have fun together.

Empowering Dreams: A Milestone in Our Youth’s Journey

We are thrilled to share that one of our youth from the Mother-Baby Independent Living Program has recently received her Medical Assistance Certification. This is a significant accomplishment, as she has worked incredibly hard to achieve this goal. She demonstrated great resilience, refusing to give up even in the face of challenges. Not only did she work diligently, but she also persevered without considering quitting. Currently, she is in the process of applying for jobs in the medical field. We wish her all the best and will be cheering her on as she strives to achieve her dreams and goals!

Exciting Updates at our Burtonsville Main Office

Over the past few months, we have made significant improvements to our Burtonsville office. The entire building has been repainted and recarpeted, and we have transformed our lobby space to make it more welcoming and inviting for all our guests. We want everyone who steps into our office to feel comfortable and appreciate the environment and atmosphere. Additionally, we have implemented several security measures to ensure the safety of our employees. Our staff works hard to keep our agency running, and we are committed to providing a safe and comfortable workspace. We believe these changes will greatly enhance their experience. 

Ticket to Dream Foundation Gives Again

The Ticket to Dream Foundation, an organization dedicated to creating hope and opportunities for foster children across the nation and enabling kids to just be kids, recently partnered with Project Glimmer to support our foster children. This month, they provided many essential items for babies, including diapers, wipes, baby body cream, and healing balms. These supplies will be especially helpful and beneficial for our mother-baby population.