Thursday, August 25, 2011

Benefit Concert - A Group Called Seneca

Join us Friday, September 9th at Monocacy Valley Church for a special evening to benefit Hope Alive featuring WAMA nominated contemporary gospel artists A Group Called Seneca. The celebration begins at 7:15 with music by Monocacy’s own, Seven Days Running, followed by A Group Called Seneca at 7:30pm! All proceeds to benefit Hope Alive. Come out for an evening of inspirational music and learn about family homelessness and the ministry of Hope Alive. A free-will offering will be taken.

Monocacy Valley Church is located at 9861 Old National Pike, New Market, MD.

You don’t want to miss this!

Also, join us for Rock the Need – Saturday, September 17, 2-8pm - at Westview Promenade for a charity concert and fashion show benefitting Hope Alive, The Religious Coalition for Emergency Human Needs, and Goodwill. Concert features Living Water, Frederick Rock School, and The Freddy Long Band from 2-8pm with the Fashion Show at 6:30pm. Hope to see you there!

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director

Thursday, August 18, 2011

The little fawn

Yesterday afternoon I was returning to Hope Alive after picking up some lunch in Thurmont. (Not a usual occurrence since it means a trip down the mountain.) As I headed up the driveway, a fawn came darting across and ran through the front yard. I watched her go over the hill toward the Joshua Center. As I rounded the corner of the house I spotted her at the playground fence trying to figure out which way to go. When she saw me she turned and took off over the hill disappearing into the safety of the tall field grass.

This reminded me of our youngest residents that often come to us frightened by their housing instability and the uncertainty in their lives. Like the little fawn, they don’t know which way to turn and where safety lies. And like the fawn, they stay close to mom until they feel safe to run. Once our children feel secure, healing begins, they gain confidence and even make remarkable physical growth! I didn’t realize how much growth until I saw the growth chart in Abba’s Angels marking inches in new height within a couple of months for nearly every child!

Before we know it that little fawn will be an adult and before we know it our children will grow into the amazing men and women God designed them to be! What a joy to watch them change and experience new hope!

Here in this beautiful setting, God often uses nature to reveal His presence and encourage us in the work He has called us to do.

One more reminder about our upcoming fall events …

A Benefit Concert - Friday, September 9, 7:30pm - Featuring gospel artists AGCS – A Group Called Seneca and Seven Days Running at Monocacy Valley Church, 9861 Old National Pike, New Market, MD.

Rock the Need – Saturday, September 17, 2-8pm – A charity concert and fashion show at Westview Promenade benefitting Hope Alive and other local charities.

Fourth Annual Resident Achievement Banquet - Thursday, October 13, 6:00pm, at Dutch’s Daughter to celebrate the inspirational progress of our residents.

Help the Homeless Mini-Walks: Maze-a-thon at Crumland Farms - Saturday, October 29, 10am-3pm and Hope Alive Mini Walk – Sunday, October 16, 1-4pm (raindate October 23).

Help us spread the word! Until next week …

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director

Thursday, August 11, 2011

The last of summer fun

This week, our children had one of the most amazing field trips ever! They left Hope Alive Wednesday morning at 6:45am for a pirate adventure in Annapolis! After boarding the pirate ship, their faces were painted and they dressed up in pirate garb. They were given pirate nicknames like Jolly Jaelyn, Dangerous Dan, and Jump Ship James and learned some pirate language like “Argh” for “no” and “Aye Aye” for “yes”. Loud voices were encouraged along with a foot stomp so everyone knew they meant business.

On their cruise in the harbor, they retrieved a sunken treasure chest. They blasted water cannons while a pirate staff walked the plank. They learned about navigation and teamwork and had some plain ole good fun!

They stopped for lunch on the trip home and every child slept all the way back. God answered our prayers for safe travel, an enjoyable time, and for all the children to get along. One major answer to prayer was that our car sick child did not get sick! Everyone – including our amazing children's staff Ashley and Liz and volunteer and prayer warrior Pam Geisbert – had a blast!!

We are grateful to PNC Bank for sponsoring this educational field trip and for their partnership that supports our child development programs. The children will wrap up the summer with three field trips next week (Princess Party for the girls courtesy of The Temple – a Paul Mitchell Partner School, a trip to Adventure Park for the boys, visit to the police station and fire company) and their talent showcase the last day of summer vacation.

As we end our summer programs, we’re busy planning for our fall events. Plan to join us and support Hope Alive’s ministry to homeless women and their children:

A Benefit Concert - Friday, September 9, 7:30pm - Featuring gospel artists AGCS – A Group Called Seneca - and Seven Days Running at Monocacy Valley Church, 9861 Old National Pike, New Market, MD.

Fourth Annual Resident Achievement Banquet - Thursday, October 13, 6:00pm, at Dutch’s Daughter to celebrate the inspirational progress of our residents.

Help the Homeless Mini-Walks: Maze-a-thon at Crumland Farms - Saturday, October 29, 10am-3pm and Hope Alive Mini Walk – Sunday, October 16, 1-4pm (raindate October 23).

Visit our website for more information and help us spread the word! Until next week …

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Important upcoming events

It’s hard to believe we only have a few more weeks until school starts! Our children are fully engaged in summer vacation and certainly don’t want to hear it’s coming to a close.

The good news this month is that Hope Alive celebrates its nine year anniversary since we were officially formed! It’s amazing to look back over the past nine years and see all that God has done to make His ministry a reality. God has abundantly blessed, guided, and sustained us during these years and through some very challenging times.

We are especially encouraged this year as our resident women are some of the most motivated we’ve ever served. Each one is dedicated to needed life-change that leads to self-sufficiency in areas such as education and vocational training, effective money management, savings, and debt resolution, addressing various health issues, improving parenting skills, strengthening their families, and growing in their faith.

To help us continue serving homeless families, we have several important upcoming events this fall. Mark your calendars and plan to join us for …

A Benefit Concert, Friday, September 9, 7:30pm, at Monocacy Valley Church: Featuring gospel artists AGCS – A Group Called Seneca. Sue Walsh and her band Seven Days Running will also perform. Come out for an evening of inspirational music and learn more about family homelessness and the ministry of Hope Alive. A free-will offering will be taken.

Fourth Annual Resident Achievement Banquet: Thursday, October 13, 6:00pm, Dutch’s Daughter, celebrating the inspirational progress of our residents. Check out our website for more information and registration or call 301.241.4005.

Help the Homeless Mini-Walks: As a new beneficiary of Fannie Mae’s Help the Homeless Program,Hope Alive has a unique opportunity to raise substantial funds to serve homeless families in our community. We need your help! Now through November 6 you can join a scheduled Mini-Walk in our community or host one yourself to benefit Hope Alive. Check out our website or call for a brochure and information.

Help us spread the word! Until next week …

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director