Friday, May 14, 2010

Pomp and Circumstance

Da ... Da Da Da Da ... Da ... In case you didn't recognize that tune, it's Pomp and Circumstance - a song we're humming a lot these days at Hope Alive.

Next week we're celebrating two major graduations! One resident mom is graduating with her high school diploma from Frederick County Public School's Adult Education Program. Earlier the same day, another resident mom is graduating from Maryland's Drug Court. After much hard work and determination to change the course of their lives, these two very special women have much to celebrate! Other women at Hope Alive - and especially new families to the program - are encouraged by these women's accomplishments and believe their own lives can be different with the same determination.

As I've shared in recent blogs, the needs of homeless families in the community are increasing significantly. January to April of this year was a 36% increase in phone inquiries from homeless families over the same period last year. In the past week, we've heard of three families - including a total of 9 children - living in motels. We rushed one family through our intake process as they were on their last day of motel placement by the Department of Social Services. Their next move would be to the streets. This new mom is starting her GED work next Monday - a dream she thought she'd never fulfill. And with the example of our two graduates, she'll be even more encouraged on her new journey to hope and a future.

More graduations will follow soon with two more families successfully completing Hope Alive's residential program! I thank God for giving us reason to sing!

Until next week ...

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director

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