Hope Alive Blog

A testimony of life-change

2012-01-21T12:05:00.002-05:00

Earlier this week, our board of directors met with our entire staff for a day-long strategic planning session. This effort sets the direction of Hope Alive for the next 3-5 years. As part of the day, the board wanted to hear from a resident mom about the impact Hope Alive’s ministry is having on the lives of those we serve. Riyan (who was featured in our November newsletter) shared with the board the accomplishments she and her children have made during their stay that have put them on the road to success and independence.

Riyan first talked about the children’s ministry staff that has helped to change the lives of her children. She’s so thankful for the loving care, support and professional advice the children’s staff provides to her and her two little ones. She said they’ve learned so much more than she ever imagined they could at this young stage of their lives.

Riyan also talked about the changes that have happened in her own life. She’s learned important conflict resolution and financial management skills, grown in her faith, and has become a role model and leader among her peers. She admitted that some of the life-change she’s experienced has been hard, but she recognizes that it’s all for her benefit to bring her to the place where she is today. She was awarded a vehicle through Second Chances Garage to give her greater independence, will complete her associate’s degree at FCC this year, and is interviewing for a full-time job as she prepares to graduate from the program and move out on her own.

Riyan’s testimony was the highlight of our day – helping us better understand the significant impact God's ministry is having on our families' lives. As we celebrate our fifth year of serving homeless families and our tenth year since Hope Alive was born, we praise God for the ministry’s effectiveness in changing the face of homelessness in our community.

On behalf of our staff, board of directors, and residents, thank you for keeping hope alive for each precious life we serve. Until next week …

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director

Don't give up

2012-01-08T15:14:00.002-05:00

When I first started writing this blog a few years ago, I promised our readers an up close and personal look into the ministry of Hope Alive. This week’s blog is just that.

Last weekend, I took off Friday and Monday to make a long holiday weekend. When I returned to work on Tuesday morning I already had a list of priorities in mind that I needed to accomplish my first day back to work. For the past seven months I’ve been covering two jobs – mine as Executive Director and our vacant position of Development Director. So every day presents me with competing tasks and responsibilities that I must accomplish for the benefit of the ministry.

I started my Tuesday morning by scanning my emails and I found myself with even more assignments that needed to take priority in my day. Suddenly, I was totally overwhelmed and discouraged, feeling that I can never accomplish all that is required of me. I just wanted to give up.

Then I read an email from my prayer partner and mentor Pam Geisbert. Her message said she and her husband had started the New Year identifying three-word phrases as their spiritual focus for 2012. “God is here” and “I choose You” where just a couple of the three-word phrases God had already impressed on their hearts. She ended her email by challenging me to think about my three-word phrases for the New Year. That was easy. At that very moment, “I give up” were the three specific words that immediately and clearly came to mind.

The next morning, one of our resident moms came upstairs to the office to pick up the car keys to drive to work. She stopped when she saw me sitting in a vacant cubicle going through a pile of paperwork I had just taken out of my mailbox. She looked at me and said, “I don’t know what’s going on, but don’t give up!” My jaw dropped and I knew God was speaking to me. “That was yesterday” was all I could say as I stood to hug her and wipe tears from my eyes. Even though I hadn’t spoken those words out loud the previous morning, God knew how hopeless I felt and He spoke words of comfort to me through this faith-filled woman. She told me it was because of Hope Alive that she and her children were doing so well and she encouraged me to press on. I was completely overwhelmed by God’s great love for me and my discouragement was replaced with His indescribable peace and comfort.

I’m sharing this personal story in hopes of encouraging those who feel like they are facing overwhelming circumstances. So if you’re feeling like the challenges facing you are too hard to go through … don’t give up. If you’re feeling like you are all alone … God is near. If you’re feeling like no one cares … God loves you. Listen carefully for God’s voice as He speaks words of comfort and encouragement to you through people who love you just like this precious mom did for me. Until next week …

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director

Christmas is a time for love

2011-12-29T16:12:00.001-05:00

I hope your Christmas was as wonderful as ours at Hope Alive. I was at Hope Alive Christmas morning and it was inspiring to see the love that our families shared. Two of our moms read scripture and talked about the true meaning of Christmas before all the children were allowed to open their gifts. Every child was so excited as they unwrapped gifts that had been donated for them. Amy was thrilled with an art set and Julie loved the outfits that had been picked out especially for her. One mother came into the kitchen with tears streaming down her face after opening a simple gift card that had been purchased for her. With this gift she can purchase food, clothing, even needed medications. Another mother said this Christmas made up for the last four when she and her daughter moved from place to place.

After breakfast, all the moms and children spent the next couple of hours playing games together – laughing and having great fun. It was so heartwarming to see the love between them. As another mother once said, it’s just one big overwhelming family at Hope Alive.

It’s this loving, stable environment that Hope Alive offers that provides our families with the foundation for growth, healing, and the courage to move forward toward self-sufficiency. Thank you for supporting this life-change and for offering hope of a future. Thank you for keeping hope alive and for walking with us on this amazing journey of faith. May you enjoy an especially blessed New Year! Until next week …

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director

Christmas comes from the heart

2011-12-24T10:24:00.004-05:00

Last night I watched a popular Christmas movie – “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”. My favorite part is near the end of the movie when the Grinch learns that, “Maybe Christmas doesn’t come from a store, perhaps Christmas means a little bit more.” As desperate as the Grinch was to steal Christmas from Whoville, he found he couldn’t because it lived in the hearts of the people.

Friday morning as I drove through downtown Frederick for an early morning meeting, I stopped at the traffic light at “square corner” (the intersection of Market and Patrick Streets). What happened right there in the busiest intersection in downtown Frederick was a wonderful reminder of what the Grinch discovered about the true meaning of Christmas. In the middle of the crosswalk, two friends met and embraced with a big hug and smile. In the hustle and bustle of the busy Christmas season, their embrace was a beautiful reminder that love from the heart is the true meaning of Christmas.

The Bible says that love comes from God. And it's His love that God gave to the whole world in the gift of His Son Jesus. “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!” 1 John 3:1. “For God so loved the world that he gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. Fod God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.” John 3:16-17.

Once the Grinch experienced love through the little girl Cindy Lou, he was never the same again. He found forgiveness, joy and meaning for life. How much greater love can we experience and how much more can our lives be changed when we receive the gift of God's Son Jesus as His gift of salvation for the world? Immeasurably more and beyond anything we can ever ask or imagine.

From the board of directors, staff, and resident families at Hope Alive, our prayer for you this Christmas is that you will receive God’s gift of His Son – the Christ child – and know His life-changing love! May your hearts be filled with God’s love this Christmas!

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director

The spirit of giving

2011-12-17T11:11:00.004-05:00

This Christmas season I’ve been especially impacted by the spirit of giving – but in two totally different ways.

Last week one of our resident moms bounded up the steps to the office and presented the staff with a bouquet of roses. She wanted to thank us for everything we’ve done for her and her two young children. Your first thought may be, “Why in the world is she spending money on flowers when she doesn’t even have a home of her own?”

This amazing young woman has achieved so much since coming to Hope Alive. She’s maintaining her budget with controlled spending. She’s reducing her debt and is saving for her family’s future which qualified her for a vehicle from Second Chance Garage. She’s working as a substitute teacher and will earn an associates degree in 2012. She’s shown spiritual growth and maturity and is a godly role model for her peers. She and her children will graduate from the Hope Alive program next spring and live on their own for the first time in their lives. So, her giving in this way was not a foolish waste of money, but a loving expression of her gratitude that encourages the staff and makes her feel even more loved and valued.

I’ve also been impacted by the overwhelming spirit of giving from the community. Like every other Christmas, we’ve been inundated with gifts from generous individuals and groups who want our families to know they are surrounded by a community who loves and cares for them.

But there was one wrapped gift that arrived that I can’t stop thinking about. (If any gifts are delivered wrapped, we unwrap them to verify the contents and make sure they go to the right family.) One such gift was a pair of fashion boots. They were stylish and something that one of our moms or older girls would love. But … they were worn, scuffed, and had a hole in the sole. This gift just broke my heart … mostly for the person who gave it.

I would hope that when we give to others – especially those in need – that we give our best. God gave His perfect gift to us in His Son Jesus Christ.

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

God did not hold back His best, but offered His one and only Son as the sacrifice for the sins of the world so that we might have new life through Him … all because of His great love for us! May this Christmas be a season filled with the true spirit of giving by giving Him our best in response for the precious gift of love He has freely given to us! May your Christmas be filled with the wonderful celebration of the indescribable gift of Jesus Christ!

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director

P.S. There's still time to take advantage of our challenge grant matching dollar for dollar every new gift we receive!

Reflections on Thanksgiving

2011-11-26T11:00:00.001-05:00

The turkey, stuffing, and gravy was delish, but the most meaningful part of my Thanksgiving was the thanksgiving offered to God for the many blessings in our lives. I’m most thankful for my relationship with God, a wonderful husband, loving children and grandchildren, my mother’s healing, and for the opportunity to serve at Hope Alive.

This Thanksgiving I also thought about what our families at Hope Alive are most thankful for this year. Stability, improved health, a place to call home, loving support, unconditional love and acceptance, new opportunities, peace and hope top their blessings this year.

I found myself thinking about homeless families in our community and what they might be reflecting on this Thanksgiving. Sadly, their thoughts are probably consumed with their housing instability, food insecurity, life chaos, poor health, hopelessness and despair.

My prayer is that together we can respond to the growing, complex, and unmet needs of homeless women and children in our community to help change their lives. Did you know there are 600 homeless children in Frederick County Public Schools this month? That’s an increase from 400 at the start of the school year. The recently released Frederick County Human Needs Assessment identified one of the most urgent needs in our community is for shelter ranging from emergency to permanent affordable housing. I believe God is calling us to work together to meet more of these critical needs and to continue to change the face of homelessness in our community.

Thank you for your support and committed interest in the work God has called us to do. Let’s make every day Thanksgiving by giving praise and gratitude to God for all He has done in our lives! Until next week …

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director

Through God's miraculous provision

2011-11-19T17:30:00.002-05:00

God has provided for His ministry at Hope Alive in miraculous ways over the past 10 years. This year we were blessed to be selected as a beneficiary of the Fannie Mae Help the Homeless Program. Today wraps up our first year as a participating charity with the final Walkathon on the National Mall. Just over 500 walkers participated in seven mini walks in October and November and today’s Walkathon – raising more than $15,000 to benefit Hope Alive’s resident families.

Special thanks to all our walkers, Catoctin High Soccer and Cross Country Teams, Lewistown Elementary, Sabillasville Elementary, Thurmont Elementary, and Middletown United Methodist Church for hosting mini walks, and to the many many donors who funded walker registration fees. We are looking forward to even greater success next year!

We are also excited about an amazing opportunity God has provided through the Ausherman Family Foundation. They have awarded us a generous $25,000 challenge grant – matching dollar for dollar every new gift received up to that amount. Just note “challenge grant” on the memo line of your check and your gift will return to Hope Alive doubled. This challenge grant and matching gifts can erase our summer deficit and position us for a strong year in 2012.

Through God’s miraculous provision, He has faithfully sustained His ministry since opening our doors five years ago even through our unstable economic times. In this season of Thanksgiving, we are grateful for God’s faithfulness, mercy, grace, life-changing love, and hope that He alone can give. As you enjoy your Thanksgiving with family and friends, please remember the families who call Hope Alive home and the many homeless families who are struggling to survive right here in our own backyard – and count the many blessings in your life!

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director

Life-change and hope

2011-10-06T21:00:00.002-04:00

While enroute to the Pentagon this morning for a CFC charity fair, I checked my email on my phone and had a wonderful surprise. I had a Facebook notice that Monica (a graduate of our program) posted a comment on the Hope Alive wall. She said Hope Alive was a life changing experience for her. Even more important than her time at Hope Alive were the people there that the Lord used to cradle her and her son and to change the course of her life. Wow!

Interestng "coincidence" that I took copies of our June newsletter featuring Monica's story to today’s charity fair. The front page article – Nothing is Impossible with God – attributes Monica’s inspirational story of hope to the power of God in her life. One woman reached down to pick up a copy being attracted by the half page photo of Monica’s beaming face in the sea of caps and gowns. When she noticed God’s name in the title, she quickly retracted her hand and moved on. How sad that the testimony of God’s power in someone’s life is offensive to her. As she walked away, I prayed that she too would come to know the One who offers hope.

If you want to hear more inspirational stories of life-change like Monica’s, then join us at our Resident Achievement Banquet next Thursday, October 13 at Dutch’s Daughter. To reserve your seat, call 301.241.4005 today! Check out Monica's post and "like" us on Facebook. Until next week …

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director

Needs of homeless children

2011-09-29T20:00:00.005-04:00

If you follow my blog, you may have been wondering where I’ve been for the past several weeks. My excuse is that there’s just too much to do and too little time. Part of the “too much to do” are the grants we’ve been writing and submitting to private foundations. In writing about the needs of homeless families, I’m reminded of the serious challenges homeless children – our children – face.

Research shows that homeless children are twice as likely as middle class children to have moderate to severe acute and chronic health problems. Half of homeless children have witnessed or experienced violence in their lives so it’s understandable that half of homeless school-age children have problems with anxiety and depression and 20% of homeless preschoolers have emotional disturbances that require professional care. Homeless children are four times more likely to have delayed development and behavioral disorders. These needs describe our youngest residents, but despite their serious challenges our children are exceptionally bright and fun-loving and just need a stable healing environment in which to grow and develop to their full potential. Hope Alive offers just that to our children. Once a family finds stability at Hope Alive, the changes that God brings to their lives are amazing.

To hear about this incredible life-change, I invite you to join us at our upcoming Resident Achievement Banquet on Thursday, October 13 at Dutch’s Daughter starting at 6pm. It’s a wonderful celebration of our residents’ inspirational progress and an evening of fabulous food and fellowship. Visit our website or call to reserve your seat today.

We’re also excited about our upcoming Help the Homeless Mini-Walks and hope you can join us on:

Sunday, October 16 for the Hope Alive Mini Walk on our beautiful nature trail in Sabillasville. Join us anytime between 1-4pm at the Hope Alive property for a short walk and to better understand the journeys of homeless families.

Saturday, October 22 at the Hope Alive Corn Maze at Crumland Farms in Frederick between 10am and 3pm for lots of fun on their twisty turny corn maze.

Visit our website to link to the online registration or to download a walker registration for the walk of your choice. You can always register at the walk and every walker will receive a free t-shirt!

Thanks for reading! Until next week …

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director

Benefit Concert - A Group Called Seneca

2011-08-25T12:31:00.003-04:00

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

The little fawn

2011-08-18T15:41:00.003-04:00

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

The last of summer fun

2011-08-11T12:11:00.004-04:00

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

Important upcoming events

2011-08-04T13:03:00.002-04:00

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

God speaks through children

2011-07-28T11:36:00.005-04:00

God always uses the children to remind me of why I’m here at Hope Alive doing what He called me to do. It was many many years ago that God spoke to me through some precious children that lived at the Frederick Rescue Mission where I served for more than seven years. It was during that time that God broke my heart for homeless women and children and I heard God’s gentle voice calling me to make a difference in their lives.

That was the beginning of the Hope Alive journey. Because God had used these children in such a powerful way in my life, a ministry to meet the unique needs of homeless children was at the very core of the Hope Alive vision. Today, we have a ministry that far surpasses that original vision. Thanks to the passionate leadership of our children’s ministry director, Ashley Benoit, and the dedicated service of our preschool teacher, Susan Hagelin, and assistant, Liz Miesner, our resident children experience love, stability, joy, growth and hope every day!

On Tuesday of this week, Jody (Family Ministry Specialist) and I were talking in the hall. As one of the little toddlers walked by with her caregiver, she stopped and hugged me around my knees. She turned to Jody and did the same and then she went on her way! Then yesterday, I was in the children’s center during nap time and one of our sweet little preschoolers was tossing and turning on her nap cot unable to fall asleep. She then settled down and turned to look at me with a great big smile and blew me a kiss! My heart just melted.

These children and their amazing mothers are the reason we are here. Just knowing that God is changing their lives in such remarkable ways encourages us in this journey. God speaks through them to confirm His calling on our lives to minister to their needs. Thank you for walking with us in this journey of faith and for your loving support and encouragement that God uses to keep hope alive for all of us here in this ministry! Until next week …

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director

Walk this way

2011-07-21T17:19:00.002-04:00

Great news! Hope Alive has been selected as a 2011 beneficiary of the Fannie Mae Help the Homeless Program! This means that Hope Alive has the awesome opportunity to raise significant funds to sustain our program services and raise awareness about the issue of family homelessness.

As a beneficiary, we recruit walkers of any age to participate in a local Mini-Walk in our community. For each walker, we receive the walker’s registration fee (minus $5 to support the Help the Homeless Program) PLUS 100% of an incentive award based on the number of walkers registered with Hope Alive PLUS any sponsorships or donations designated for Hope Alive.

For example, if we recruit 1,000 paid walkers – say youth for example –we’ll receive $15,000 in walker registration fees PLUS a $15,000 walker incentive! And if it’s adult walkers we receive even more!

We’re collaborating with the Frederick Rescue Mission this year on three local walks. One is confirmed for a Maze-a-thon at Crumland Farms on Saturday, October 29 from 10am-3pm. So just think … you and your family or friends can come out and enjoy a beautiful fall day and walk the corn maze while helping the hungry and homeless! And you’ll learn about the needs of the homeless while you participate!

Walker registration fees are:

Adults $30
Youth $20 (age 25 and younger)
Virtual Walker $35

So let us know if you’re interested in walking or better yet hosting your own Mini-Walk and we’ll get you plugged in! Visit our website at www.hopealiveministries.org or email me at info@hopealiveministries.org for more information. We’ll keep posting the details as they become available!

We’re excited – can you tell? Help us spread the word!! Until next week …

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director

Lifesaving measures

2011-07-14T17:48:00.003-04:00

Before Hope Alive ever opened its doors to homeless families, our staff and volunteers worked diligently to develop and implement a high standard of excellence in the delivery of our program services. We researched, wrote and amended what seemed like volumes of policies and procedures and created the needed forms and tools to support that level of operation. Through the process – and continuing today – we view everything through risk management lenses. All the effort to minimize risk to the greater level possible has paid off and even saved lives.

Part of our required staff training includes annual American Red Cross CPR and first aid certification. Our staff is trained during the year at different intervals depending on the employee’s start date. Our last training was held in April and three of our resident moms participated and became fully certified in CPR and first aid. Among this class was one of our newest staff members in our children’s ministry – Liz Meisner. What she didn’t know then was that she would be putting these skills into practice in a few short months.

In the children’s center this week, Miss Liz saw an infant making a noise that she thought was her usual baby talk. But as she listened more closely, she realized the baby was choking. Without a second thought, her life-saving skills went into action. She placed the baby head down on her forearm and gave her five back blows (appropriate for an infant) and then turned her halfway over to see if what she was choking on had been dislodged. Noticing that the baby’s hair beret was missing Miss Liz quickly ran her finger inside the baby’s mouth and felt the beret and pulled it out. Amazing!

Surprisingly, this isn't the first lifesaving measure we’ve experienced at Hope Alive. The first year we opened, another children’s ministry staff came to the rescue of a teen who was choking on a potato chip at lunch. Her CPR skills automatically kicked in as she ran to his side. She administered the appropriate back blows and abdominal thrusts and the chip came flying out! He was shaken, but grateful for her quick response.

I am so proud of the awesome staff God has assembled! I’m amazed at the wonderful children’s ministry team that is so attentive to our children’s every need and loves and cares for them as their own. And I’m grateful to Operations Supervisor Missy Miller for her diligence in keeping our staff training up-to-date on these lifesaving measures.

Enjoy the beautiful weather that’s forecasted for the weekend and stay safe! Until next week …

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director

Loving encouragement from God

2011-07-08T13:33:00.002-04:00

It’s not uncommon for our staff to hear from a resident mom who comes in the office and announces, “I got the job” or “I got an A in the class”. We are equally thrilled to watch as our resident children engage in new activities such as their recent improvisation exercise during their “drama week” in the school-age program. It’s these types of successes that encourage us in the day to day work of the ministry of serving God’s people in need.

But on days when a mom or child is having a particularly difficult time or there are more problems with the computers or an overwhelming workload, discouragement can creep in and the stress mounts for our overworked staff. I had one of those days yesterday. It’s at these times that we need to take a break and refocus ourselves (myself) on God, knowing that He is in total control of His ministry and we are just the tools of His hands. It’s not about the “doing”, but more importantly it’s about the “being” with Him that matters most. When I do this I find my attitude changes and peace returns.

Yesterday in the middle of my pity party, God reminded me of His constant presence with us. I opened a donation that we received in the mail from a generous couple with a note saying it was given in honor of the great work that we do. I couldn’t help but cry at the loving touch from God through this faithful couple. I ended my day with a greater sense of peace than I had felt all week.

I just wanted you to know how much your loving support and encouragement means to us and how deeply we appreciate your committed partnership. Thank you for walking with us on this journey of faith. We love you!

Hope you enjoy the weekend. I think the heat is getting to me as I found myself following Kate Middleton's top fashion looks on the royal couple's North American tour. Until next week …

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director

Experiencing success

2011-06-30T17:23:00.004-04:00

This morning at our annual Community Partner Breakfast, two of Hope Alive's moms shared their stories. One mom has been in the Hope Alive program for a full year and - as she shared - has experienced much success from improved health, stabilization for herself and her young daughter, educational opportunities for both in HeadStart and pre-kindergarten and at Frederick Community College, and now as a leader in the house with the other resident women.

Our second speaker was a program graduate now living on her own for the past year in independent housing and having graduated from Frederick Community College with her associate's degree. Through tears she thanked Hope Alive and the donors that were present and gave God the glory for her life transformation. She shared her plans to pursue a doctorate degree which we're convinced she'll acquire.

What I hadn't remembered was that three years ago next week, she was homeless and contemplating camping in a tent behind WalMart. She was on her last night in a motel placement by the Department of Social Services and felt she had no other option but to move to a tent and place her son with family members until she could find housing. She heard about Hope Alive and was the quickest intake we've ever done - moving her in within two days.

This morning she reminded us all that she was homeless and desperately hopeless and in just a short three years, she has a beautiful home, a college degree, good job, healthy relationships with her adult children and new grandson, and most importantly faith, hope and success of a future.

It made me think about the contrast we see often with women who want nothing more than a roof over their families' heads believing that a job is the answer to their problems ... to the women who are as determined as both of these wonderful ladies who spoke today. The work of life-change is tough and beyond challenging and as badly as our staff wants this change for them, they have to want it for themselves.

Right now, our Hope Alive house is filled with positive and motivated women and energetic and loving children who are embracing the wonderful unique opportunities that help them realize they are special in God's eyes.

Special thanks to our 2011 Community Partners that we had the privilege to recognize at this morning's breakfast. God uses their commitment to our mission and dedicated resources to make this ministry possible.

To all who love summer as much as I do ... enjoy this holiday weekend and stay safe. Until next week ...

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director

Summer update

2011-06-24T14:35:00.007-04:00

If you follow my blog, you've probably been wondering where I've been. After a much-needed 10 day vacation, I'm finally back on track! There's always so much going on every day, so here are just a few updates as we start our summer at Hope Alive.

Our children's programs are in full swing with all of our school-age children home for the summer. They join our infants, toddlers and preschoolers in a full-day program including field trips, educational programs, recreation, arts, crafts, and just plain fun! All of our school-agers attended Vacation Bible School (VBS) this week. It's fun to hear them come through the door singing songs about God's love. I asked one of our older children how she was enjoying VBS. She said she just loved it but was sorry it was almost over. But she told me how much she is looking forward to summer camp that she'll be attending later this summer with our older children.

Thanks to a generous gift from PNC Bank, our children are not only enjoying new mulch on our playground but they will have the privilege of going on several educational field trips this summer. Catoctin Zoo donated tickets so all our moms and children could enjoy the animals. Thanks you Catoctin Zoo for sponsoring their visit last Friday.

Two of our resident moms are taking college classes this summer at Frederick Community College. One mom is especially ambitious taking 4 classes so she can graduate with her associate's degree next spring. As one mom patiently waits for the results of her GED exam, she and another mom are enrolling for fall classes. One mom is enjoying her new job and has already been recognized for her leadership qualities. They are all finding such confidence in their successes.

God has abundantly blessed one family in particular. A mom and two of her three children came to live at Hope Alive months ago. Her oldest daughter was living with other family members due to their housing instability. They had an emotional reunion last week when she joined her mom and siblings at Hope Alive.

I'll keep the updates coming and additional news. Until next week ...

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director

48 Hours to Meet the Need

2011-06-02T17:31:00.003-04:00

This morning at 11:15, there was a prayer service and community rally to publicize the upcoming 48 Hours to Meet the Need event to raise awareness about the needs of the poor and homeless in our community and the County budget cuts impacting housing and nonprofit services. I’ve reprinted Pastor Jonathan Switzer’s email here so you’ll have all the information first-hand. (Pastor Switzer is the 48 Hours to Meet the Need organizer and Pastor of Crossroads Valley Chapel.) Please help us spread the word to bring our community together to respond in our neighbor’s hour of need.

“I want to share with you this week an important community-wide effort to raise awareness – 48 Hours to Meet the Need. For those just tuning in, on June 16 and 17 we have asked the Commissioners, Senator Young, Kai Hagen, Chamber of Commerce, non-profits, as well as Catholics, mainline denominations, evangelicals, Muslims and Jews to join us for a 48 hour fast. During those two days, everyone is asked to give whatever money they would normally spend on food for their family to whichever non-profit they feel is best positioned to care for those most in need in our midst. This is a response to the $370,000 of cuts that the current County Commissioners have made to local non-profits. Our website is www.frederick48.org for more information! If only 8% of the 87,000 family units in Frederick County gave, we would cover the cuts that have been made.

On WFMD on June 16 and 17, Blaine Young, Ron Young, Bob Miller, Kai Hagen and I will be joined by non-profits, community leaders and others to promote involvement in the fast. I also am asking you to join us on those days on air!

This is a unique chance for unity in Frederick that we want to fully maximize! We are Americans and neighbors together in Frederick County, MD. We can do this.

Let’s hope that our work together will really make a big difference during this season in Frederick. Whatever happens in future election cycles, may this 48 hours help to cover the shortfall for this cycle.”

I hope you will help us spread the word. Until next week …

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director

A Hope Alive milestone

2011-05-19T17:51:00.004-04:00

In a few minutes I’m headed out the door to one of the most exciting events of the year! One of our graduate moms is achieving a milestone for Hope Alive resident women. She is graduating from Frederick Community College this evening with her first college degree!! I say first because she has her sights set on earning a doctorate degree and as determined and motivated as she is I believe she’ll do it!

I know when she and her son came through our doors nearly 3 years ago that she never imagined this day would arrive. At that time she merely dreamed of attending college. Since then, her hard work and determination has been recognized with numerous awards, scholarships and superb grades! Now that she has an associate’s degree under her belt she feels that anything is possible! And beyond that, she has hope of a wonderful and successful future for herself and her family. She'll be the first to give all the credit to God and the wonderful things He has done in her life!

A few of our staff will be present and you can bet we’ll be cheering the loudest as she walks across the stage to receive her degree. You might want to check out our June newsletter as we’re hoping to include a photo with her in cap and gown and what I bet will be a big wide smile! Time to go! Can’t wait! Until next week …

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director

Hope in the midst of discouragement

2011-05-12T12:32:00.000-04:00

The work of this ministry is always challenging and on occasion very discouraging. So a visit I had this past Tuesday with a graduate family was especially uplifting after a difficult weekend.

Last Saturday, one of our resident moms abruptly announced that she and her two young children were leaving the program. We were well aware that this mom had “hit a wall” in the painful work of healing and recovery. This often happens with our resident women as they address the life-controlling issues at the root of their homelessness. The normal response is either “fight” or “flight”. Unfortunately, this particular mother chose “flight”. Needless to say we were all greatly saddened and discouraged at the choice she had made.

Then on Tuesday, I stopped by to visit one of our graduate families. This mom proudly showed me around their new home and really felt it was God ordained that their spacious home was provided so she could help someone else in need. She felt good to be able to give back and help change the life of another. She and her son continue to work hard as they both finish classes this semester. They are on their own and filled with hope and a future.

It’s amazing how God provides hope in the midst of discouragement. I never forget the verse in Joshua 1:9 that I wore around my neck for years as a constant reminder to be strong and courageous and not to be overcome with fear and discouragement because He is with us wherever we go. What an amazing promise that brings light and hope to our lives! Until next week …

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director

National Day of Prayer

2011-05-05T16:55:00.001-04:00

Today is National Day of Prayer – actually the 60th Annual National Day of Prayer! The early morning prayer breakfast I attended (sponsored by One in Christ ministry) provided a focused time in prayer for our nation and leaders and a stirring message by the keynote speaker, Cynthia Dunbar. As an educator and attorney, Ms. Dunbar’s mission is to return our country to the faith of our founding fathers that our government was established on in the constitution and declaration of independence.

A highlight of the morning for me was a comment made that the Maryland International House of Prayer (MIHOP) staff and prayer warriors pray constantly for Hope Alive! We cannot do what God has called us to do without prayer and God’s presence and power in this ministry and our lives. It’s so encouraging to know we are covered in prayer!

By prayer, God sets the captives free and brings hope and healing to every mother and child we serve! By prayer, our resident moms feel there is the promise of a future and new life! By prayer, our families experience God’s unconditional love and acceptance that leads to peace and new hope!

Thank you to all who pray for this ministry and the families we are called to serve. We are grateful to God for the prayer warriors He raises up on our behalf. May you know the God and Father of our nation - the One who sets us free and gives new life through His Son Jesus Christ! Until next week …

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director

Peace in the midst of the storm

2011-04-28T12:36:00.000-04:00

I tend to panic in storms. The wind, rain, tornado warnings, flash flooding and mud slides over the last two weeks claimed lives and caused wide-spread flooding, damage and debris.

Thankfully Jesus’ words in Matthew 7:24-27 have brought me peace in the midst of the storms: “Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine, and acts upon them, may be compared to a wise man, who built his house upon the rock. And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and burst against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded upon the rock. And everyone who hears these words of Mine, and does not act upon them, will be like a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand. And the rains descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and burst against that house; and it fell, and great was its fall.”

Jesus’ words assure us that if we build our lives on Him, then we can weather any storm no matter how great the wind, rain and floods become. His words remind me of the storms of life our resident moms at Hope Alive have faced. They can choose to rebuild their lives on the Savior and find healing, love, hope, and peace from the storms that have shaken their foundations. As they come to know Christ, their lives change in amazing ways! Or sadly, they can choose to continue to live on shifting sand with no firm foundation.

Please pray that every homeless family – whether at Hope Alive or struggling to survive in our community – will see Jesus reaching out His hands to them in the midst of their storms. Pray that the storms they face in life will move them to build their house upon the rock – Jesus Christ! May you know His peace in the midst of the storm. Until next week …

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director

My Rescuer

2011-04-21T10:30:00.008-04:00

Psalm 34:7 reads, The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and rescues them.

King David in the Bible wrote this psalm after he was driven away by Achish king of Gath by feigning madness to protect his life. David knew that it was the Lord who had rescued and delivered him out of the hands of evil. This was part of my scripture reading this past Tuesday morning. Just hours later, this verse would have a whole new meaning for me.

In the pouring down rain, I left a meeting in Frederick about noon and headed north to Hope Alive. A very serious accident on Rt. 15 just north of Seventh Street detoured traffic onto Thomas Johnson Drive and Hayward Road. Just as I was turning right into the merge lane on Rt. 15 from Hayward Road, my car suddenly accelerated. I quickly assured myself that I had my foot on the brake and not on the gas pedal, but the car continued to lurch forward as if someone had stomped on the gas pedal. To avoid hitting the car in front of me in the merge lane and trying to steer my car that was quickly speeding out of control, I swerved into the traffic lanes. For the next few seconds - but what seemed like minutes - I panicked trying to think of what to do to stop it.

But just as quickly as it all started, the accelerator released and I slowed to a crawl with my emergency lights flashing. I pulled off on the shoulder of the road and sat there crying and thanking God for rescuing me and saving my life. If you know Frederick at all, the intersection at Rt. 15 and Hayward Road is famous for serious and sometimes fatal accidents. But at this particular moment, no cars were coming as I veered out onto the highway. God miraculously rescued me from danger!

Since then, I’ve thought of little else and have shared this experience with everyone I’ve talked to giving praise to God for being my Rescuer! But God was not only my rescuer this past Tuesday, but He is my Rescuer from sin and death and has delivered me to new and eternal life by faith in Jesus Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. It’s this week that we celebrate the cross where Jesus freely gave His life and took on the punishment for the sin of the world so that we might have eternal life if we believe in Him.

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. John 3:16-17

Jesus is my Savior and Lord and my Rescuer! I have much to praise God for this Easter - the gift of His Son, His sacrifice for me, and His Resurrection that promises me eternal life! May you receive our Rescuer by faith this Easter and celebrate with me the eternal life that He came to give!

Until next week …

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director

Saying good-bye to a friend

2011-04-14T12:01:00.007-04:00

We heard early this week that UpCounty Family Partnership in Emmitsburg, MD will close their doors the end of May. UpCounty has been an important partner to Hope Alive since we received our first family more than four years ago. They’ve provided GED classes and exam preparation as well as the Nurturing Parenting course for our resident mothers. Two of our moms completed this 12-week course already this year. It’s inspiring to watch them apply all the effective and positive skills they’ve learned.

We understand UpCounty Family Partnership lost a significant source of their funding through a state grant. Following Head Start’s closure in Emmitsburg the end of February, this will be another devastating loss to northern Frederick County and Hope Alive families. We want to thank the amazing staff at UpCounty for all their loving support and training for our resident mothers over the years. It’s been a privilege to partner with them to meet the needs of our community’s families. Their closure will leave a tremendous gap in our community and in Hope Alive’s needed services. We wish their staff well as they start this new chapter in their lives. We trust God will provide for their needs as well as ours!

On a happier note, it’s not too late to register for our upcoming Visions for Hope event on Thursday, April 28 at the Delaplaine Visual Arts Education Center. The artwork that we’ve received will provide a beautiful selection of special items for bidding. Visit our website at www.hopealiveministries.org or call 301.241.4005 for more information or to purchase tickets. It’s a really fun family-friendly event that you don’t want to miss. Hope to see you there! Until next week …

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director

Rekindling the vision

2011-04-09T19:47:00.012-04:00

Nine years ago this week, God told me it was time to step out in faith. On Sunday, April 7, 2002, my pastor preached a sermon on “rekindling the vision”. For me, the vision was one of a new women and children's ministry that God had birthed in my heart two years earlier - a ministry that was located outside the city of Frederick in a safe and secure nurturing environment where homeless women and children could find healing, recovery and hope of a future. By the end of the two years leading up to April 7th, I had lost hope that the vision would ever be fulfilled because nothing seemed to be happening to make it a reality.

When I heard my pastor’s message that Sunday morning, I knew God was speaking to me. My pastor challenged each of us in the congregation with this question: “What’s keeping you from seeing the vision fulfilled?” God answered the question for me. He told me it was my fear of loosing a paycheck. I knew at that moment that God was asking me to step out in faith, leave my job, and start this new ministry as a full-time volunteer. That’s when Hope Alive, Inc. was born.

I wonder what would have happened if I had not been in church that morning or if I was preoccupied during my pastor's message and didn’t hear God speak to me. Or what if I assumed his message was for someone else thinking God couldn’t possibly be speaking to me! April 7, 2002 changed my life. The nine years since that time has been tremendously challenging, but incredibly rewarding and spiritually life-changing! What a privilege to watch what God can do to make His vision a reality. What a blessing to be used by God to serve His people in need when we say “YES” to His call. And what an honor to serve alongside so many of God’s faithful servants in the kingdom work He has called us to do.

What about you? Is there a vision God has laid on your heart that you’ve lost hope will ever be fulfilled? As my pastor asked me that Sunday morning nine years ago, “What’s keeping you from seeing the vision fulfilled?” Believe that with God all things are possible and listen intently for His voice because He is speaking!

Until next week …

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director

Join us for visions

2011-03-31T12:40:00.004-04:00

It’s only a few short weeks until one of my favorite special events of the year. Hope Alive’s signature event, Visions for Hope, is scheduled for Thursday, April 28 at the Delaplaine Visual Arts Education Center in downtown Frederick. This fun family-friendly event is an annual art auction of children’s artwork to benefit Hope Alive’s child development programs – even featuring the artwork of our very own resident children! Young artists under the age of 21 are invited to submit up to three pieces of original art. The works are sold by silent auction with bidding beginning at 6:30pm. Last year’s event raised more than $15,000 to support homeless children and help change the lives of our youngest residents.

I’m excited to announce that we have an anonymous donor who will match every dollar bid on artwork (up to $5,000) the evening of the event! Just think – your bid will double and will go twice as far to meet the unique needs of homeless children. We also have some great items for auction on our community table including tickets to Six Flags and Sight & Sound Theatre.

Tickets are only $25 for adults and this year children under 12 are free! Visit our website at http://www.hopealiveministries.org/calendar/event/185 and click on “Call for Submission entry form” to submit artwork or “More Information” to become a patron sponsor of the event or to purchase tickets. I hope to see you there. I can’t wait to see who takes home “Wood Man” this year!

Until next week …

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director

Looking for that special someone

2011-03-25T08:13:00.011-04:00

On my drive to Hope Alive earlier this week, I was listening to radio talk show hosts discuss the importance of children having positive male role models in their lives. They said that children who do not have father figures in their lives are emotionally handicapped. We agree and know this to be true at Hope Alive.

The day after listening to the radio discussion, God reminded me of the importance of this need among our youngest residents. My husband came to Hope Alive after work to address some property repair issues and when he came into the house, several of the children ran to greet him with books in hand wanting his attention. Seldom are female volunteers or staff greeted with such excitement.

Of the 66 children we’ve served since opening our doors, many of them have emotional challenges attributed in part or in whole to the lack of a positive father figure in their lives. I’ll never forget one such child. This youngster’s abandonment by her father was the source of the emotional issues she wrestled with. Her biological father had dropped in and out of her life so often that at her young age she knew she couldn’t depend on him for the security and loving support that she desperately needed. A father figure stepped into her life in a very healthy way to fill this painful void and she‘s now finding healing.

But what about the children who are still searching for that special someone to help meet this important emotional need? Every child deserves the chance to experience unconditional love, acceptance and happiness so they don‘t grow up to be emotionally handicapped adults. It's this father-figure - or lack thereof - that gives children (and adults) an understanding of who our Heavenly Father is. I believe we can do and need to do more for our youngest residents in this area. Let me know if you're feeling called to respond.

On a similar note, everyone can help meet the needs of our youngest residents by attending our upcoming Visions for Hope annual fundraising event on Thursday, April 28 beginning at 6:30pm at the Delaplaine Visual Arts Education Center in downtown Frederick. This fun family-friendly event benefits Hope Alive’s children’s programs that are designed to meet the unique needs of our resident children. Check out our website at http://www.hopealiveministries.org/ for more information or to register to attend.

Until next week ...

Sue Oehmig Founder and Executive Director

News from the state

2011-03-18T10:32:00.004-04:00

This week I can’t help but continue on my soapbox of budget cuts and the devastating fallout that I believe will follow some our public officials’ decisions. Just yesterday I received an email alert from the Maryland Budget & Tax Policy Institute. The title is, “Steady Diet of Cuts is Making Maryland Sick - Also Homeless and Uneducated: Maryland falls short on essential services”. (Source: www.marylandpolicy.org/Cutsmakingussick.asp.)

This article reports that major reductions have already been made that reduce essential services affecting “public schools, hospitals treating Medicaid patients, local governments, and many other state-funded services.” Cuts to early learning programs and wait lists for child care subsidy could mean more low-income parents will enter the roles of the unemployed. The state already made significant cuts in K-12 education in previous fiscal years resulting in “a slow degradation of education quality and a renewed widening of the performance gap between schools in rich and poor areas.”

Direct impact to the resident women at Hope Alive and those who call searching for help will most likely include the following:

Unmet addiction treatment needs and inadequate treatment services
$9.5 million loss to community mental health services
Medical assistance provider rate reductions forcing more and more medical providers to stop serving Medical Assistance patients and losing their access to care
Elimination of $500,000 in rental assistance to low-income recipients from the Department of Housing and Community Development’s current FY 30% cut in rental allowance program that is used to end chronic homelessness and prevent homelessness for low-income families facing eviction. (A woman calling Hope Alive for services this week reported that the Department of Social Services has posted signs in their lobby notifying clients that "no housing help is available".)

The Maryland Budget & Tax Policy Institute appropriately responds by stating “education from early learning to higher education is not wasteful spending. Medical treatment and related services are all necessary. Housing is a human right that all Marylanders must have access to. Frankly, none of these programs are exactly ’fat and happy’ and do not represent wasteful spending. In fact, they all have their own compelling stories of critical unmet needs.” The Institute promotes the critical need to look for a balanced approach to balancing the budget and presents viable measures to increase revenue.

We praise and thank God daily that He provides Hope Alive as a safety net for homeless families and sustains our core services to the escalating number of women and children who so desperately need our help. Thank you for your faithful support and commitment to our mission and thanks for listening. I’ll keep information and updates coming your way. Check out our website for information about our upcoming Visions for Hope fundraising event on Thursday, April 28 benefitting our child development programs. It's a fun family-friendly event and all for a really great cause! Until next week …

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director

More county cuts

2011-03-04T07:45:00.002-05:00

Early this week Hope Alive – among many other community nonprofits – received official notification from Frederick County that the total funding for the Grants for Human Services Program awards to nonprofit organizations has been cut by 25% for FY2012. This memorandum also warned grantees that the County expects “to see similar reductions to the Grants for Human Services Program of approximately $125,710 or 25% in each of the future fiscal years beyond FY2012.” And don’t forget about the 19% reduction that happened previously in FY2011. The bottom line? It’s no secret that the current Board of County Commissioners’ (BOCC) intention is to cut all funding to Frederick County nonprofit human service organizations. (Hope Alive’s $7,030 county grant was cut from the FY2011 budget, but our FY2012 application was recommended for $4,335 in funding.)

In addition, the BOCC announced in their 2/24/11 work session that an additional $108,536 for Non-County Agencies was “voluntarily” relinquished by the Department of Social Services (DSS). The word from DSS is that the county funding was not “voluntarily” relinquished, but that they were told to do so. So this week, DSS reduced their housing unit from 5 workers to 1.5 eliminating the rental assistance program that prevents evictions.

For some nonprofits, these decisions have far reaching financial impact forcing some organizations to reduce critical services to Frederick County residents. For all nonprofits, the service impact will be devastating placing the escalating demand for services on the backs of the already strained nonprofit sector. Comments from the BOCC in televised work sessions basically state that the nonprofits and churches will need to do more.

I agree with other nonprofits that if you are refused services from nonprofits and non-County agencies due to cuts in County funding, call the BOCC offices to let them know the impact. At Hope Alive we are already seeing the fallout from the BOCC’s earlier decision to relinquish the $2 million federal Head Start grant back to the federal government. The Emmitsburg Head Start program where Hope Alive’s 3 and 4 year old resident children attend half-days, closed its doors this week. Parents were told their children’s names would be kept on the waiting list if and when the center reopens. Thankfully, Hope Alive has a safety net for our children that attended Head Start as they now spend more time in our children’s center, but they will still miss the important supplemental services Head Start provided such as medical screenings, parent support and family advocacy.

On a more positive note, I'm so glad God is in charge and He is our provider and sustainer!

Please plan to attend our upcoming Visions for Hope event on Thursday, April 28th at the Delaplaine Visual Arts Education Center in downtown Frederick. This is an important family friendly and fun fundraising event benefitting Hope Alive’s child development programs. You can read more on our website at http://www.hopealiveministries.org/. Until next week …

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director

Tough week

2011-02-26T14:16:00.005-05:00

It was a tough week at Hope Alive. It started with our newest staff member breaking her leg requiring surgery, pins and plates. Ouch! She's on crutches and hobbling around the best she can and trying not to overdo it.

Then, another staff member had a stove fire in her apartment requiring a visit by the fire department. No one was hurt, but she was left needing a new stove and smoke smell in everything.

It was also an unusual week of having to make some really tough decisions involving residents. When it involves the lives of others, the decisions are especially difficult to make. Then God brought about a major heart change and that's what it's all about!

Then there was more disappointing decisions made by the Board of County Commissioners this week with their 25% cut to the County's Grants-In-Aid program providing critically needed funding for nonprofit services. This follows last year's funding cut to nonprofits with another 25% projected cut for FY13. Hope Alive submitted a grant for the current funding cycle so if it's rated and ranked among the highest, our funding from two years ago may be reinstated.

And every week we continue to hear the heartbreaking stories from families who are struggling to survive in our own backyard. This week, among others, we received calls from a mother dying of cancer and living on the streets with her two children and a woman with three children needing to flee violence in their home.

Even though it was a tough week, we were blessed to see the positive changes and continued determination of so many of our families as they press forward toward healing, recovery and self-sufficiency.

Please continue to pray for us, those we serve, and the many families who are homeless and on the brink of despair who need our help. Pray God will meet their needs and fill their lives with His life-changing love and hope of a future. As we've witnessed so much lately, we know God hears and answers our prayers! Until next week ...

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director

This week's highlights

2011-02-18T21:25:00.003-05:00

This has been a week of exciting news! One of our resident moms passed her learner’s permit test and her pre-GED tests allowing her to register to take the state GED exam! She’s thrilled that she'll be driving soon and that college is now within reach!

Unlike most of us, one of our resident moms was anxious to visit the MVA this week to get tags and title for her very own car provided by Second Chance Garage in Frederick. Not only does this organization donate vehicles to families in need, but their required basic car care and budgeting classes help each recipient to keep their vehicles on the road. For our resident family, this is one more step forward toward independence and self-sufficiency!

And one more highlight of the week was the phone call we received from the Knott Foundation in Baltimore of their generous grant award to Hope Alive to fund our case manager position - a.k.a. Family Ministry Specialist! We are so grateful for the Knott Foundation’s belief in our mission and partnership in our service to homeless families. We'll feature this foundation in an upcoming newsletter.

I hope you’ll plan to join us for our upcoming Visions for Hope event on Thursday, April 28th. This is our really fun annual silent auction of children’s artwork - including our own Hope Alive children - to benefit our child development programs. Check out our website and Facebook page for more information on ticket sales, entry forms for children’s artwork, and event sponsorships. Hope to see you there!

I hope you're following the news of the Board of County Commissioner's decision last week to relinquish the federal Head Start grant and turn over the operation of this program to a federal contractor. We'll keep you updated as we start to see the impact and fallout of their decision in the coming weeks. Until next week …

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director

Speechless

2011-02-12T08:43:00.005-05:00

This week I was speechless. It doesn't happen very often and doesn't last very long, but this week there were just no words I could find to adequately describe the decision and comments made by Frederick County's Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) at Tuesday's work session regarding the relinquishing of the federal Head Start grant. As a result of the commissioner's 4 to 1 vote to relinquish the funding back to the federal government, the Frederick County Head Start program will be turned over to a new federal contractor effective March 1, 2011. Commissioner David Gray was the only vote against it arguing they were making a rash decision.

Here are the facts presented by County employees at the BOCC worksession. Frederick County's Head Start program has operated in the county for nearly 40 years as a federal grantee and is a nationally recognized model. It's a 10 month program now serving 282 three and four year olds who are income qualified based on the federal poverty level. This is a national program that promotes school readiness by enhancing the social and cognitive development of children through the provision of educational, health, nutritional, and social and other services to enrolled children and families. The program employees 80 people and operates with an annual budget of $4,516,442 of which $2,223,451 comes from grant revenue including $2,003,686 from a federal Head Start grant. The county's contribution to run this model program is $2,293,093.

So by cutting this program, the savings to the county are $2.3 million which is the sole purpose for relinquishing the federal grant and all other associated grants.

What leaves me speechless is the decisions they made to relinquish the federal grant with seeming disregard to the impact on the children and families served. As of March 1, 2011, Head Start will be operated by a federal contractor as the interim operator (Community Development Institute Head Start - a Denver-based contractor) for about a year or more until a new contractor and federal grantee is awarded. Eighty county employees will loose their jobs effective February 28, but "hope" to be picked up by this new operator. I guess it's supposed to be comforting that this new operator will hold a "job fair" for these 80 employees slated to loose their jobs at the end of the month. These are not only "county employees", but teachers and advocates dedicated to serving disadvantaged preschoolers and families in Frederick County - including our very own Hope Alive children!

What leaves me speechless is that the BOCC believes the nationally recognized Head Start program won't be significantly impacted by the $2.3 million cut from county funding. With the move back to the federal government, funding will be limited to the $2 million federal grant, but the County Commissioners assured citizens that services for county children and families in the program would continue. The math doesn't work and and no program can sustain that
level of funding cuts and maintain the quality of its program and core services. In a meeting with Head Start parents Thursday night, the new interim operator warned parents that "without the county funding, he is unsure if all the services Head Start provides will be available when it takes over." It's also surprising that Commission Young believes that nonprofits should pick up this program. I guess he's not aware that nonprofits have been struggling to survive for the past three years to sustain critically needed county services that the government doesn't provide.

What also leaves me speechless is that all the preliminary discussion was done behind closed doors. Tuesday's BOCC worksession was the first opportunity for public comment on the proposed cut and parents and teachers only received word the day before that this program was up for final vote at Tuesday's work session. The interim operator is already at work transitioning the program back to the federal government. The cost for the county to relinquish the Head Start program is estimated to be between $650,000 and $695,000 to fund annual leave payout, severance pay, and unemployment insurance.

I'm sure most folks realize this is just not a preschool program, but it ensures every disadvantaged preschooler that's enrolled is prepared for kindergarten and has the best chance at school success. I speak and write often about the needs of very low-income including homeless children - even through this blog - and the great disadvantage they have compared to children from moderate income families. The Head Start program prepares disadvantaged preschoolers in Frederick County for school readiness and is used and needed as a supplement to Hope Alive's child development program to address the unique needs of homeless preschoolers and ensure they have the best start in school and chance for success in life.

And finally, what really left me speechless were the comments made by two of the County Commissioners in response to tearful parents' pleas to preserve county funding and operation of the program. I'll let their comments speak for themselves. I don't even want to reprint them here. I know the Commissioners' comments were not intended to be offensive, but they were. Check it out for yourself on the BOCC work session video at http://frederick.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=5&clip_id=2541, the County press release at http://www.frederickcountymd.gov/documents/Board%20of%20County%20Commissioners/Press%20Releases%202011/February%202011/Head%20Start%20Transition.PDF, and the Gazette articles at http://gazette.net/stories/02092011/frednew175041_32611.php and http://gazette.net/stories/02112011/frednew110429_32547.php. The Frederick News Post articles are also available on their website.

It wasn't long before I found my voice again and I've been talking about it ever since. I'd love to know what you think. Better yet, let the Board of County Commissioners know what you think and let your voice be heard loud and clear! Thanks for reading. Until next week ...

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director

Moving forward toward hope and a future

2011-02-04T09:51:00.004-05:00

For the past few months, one of our resident moms has been taking GED classes in preparation for the state exam. This week she took the pre-test exams and passed all the tests with flying colors! This means she can now register to take the state GED exam. Earning her high school diploma is one step toward her goals and dreams that will allow her to move on to college classes and pursue a new career. Prayerfully, she'll be proudly wearing her cap and gown this May at the Frederick County graduation ceremony. We can't wait!

One day on her way to GED class, this mom and Jody Julian (our Family Ministry Specialist) were chatting about her spiritual life and how God has intervened these last few months. In this mother's young faith and wisdom she said, "You never really know about God until you are really that down." God is intervening in her children's lives too. They are happy and well adjusted at Hope Alive and look forward to spending their days in our Children's Center. Just this week, the oldest of the two proudly sang the ABC song with another preschooler as we gathered for prayer. She was thrilled that her mom was there to hear her and beamed as we all applauded.

This mother's nightime panic attacks have now been replaced with peaceful sleep and she often speaks about the opportunities her family is blessed with now they have a secure, happy, and safe environment in which they can grow and thrive.

Please pray for this young mother as she prepares to take her state exam in the coming months. Pray for hers and every family who calls Hope Alive home as they dedicate themselves to important life-change and moving forward toward hope and a future. Thank you for walking this journey with us.

Let me know if you have any questions. I'll be happy to respond to them in my weekly blog or feel free to call or email me anytime. Until next week ...

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director

Healing from the inside out

2011-01-21T11:04:00.004-05:00

Life change is the goal for our resident families which paves the way for them to permanently exit the roles of homelessness and experience self-sufficiency and hope of a future. Pursuing higher education, exploring new careers, and learning job readiness skills and effective money management - including debt resolution and savings - are all significant and measureable goals they need to accomplish. But the real life-change that God desires happens from the inside out. This is often the hardest work to do and for our moms it's the most painful and difficult.

Most of our resident women commit to this challenge in order to find true healing. This work involves exploring their personal faith journeys through a deepening relationship with God as well as identifying and addressing their emotional barriers to health and wholeness.

This week, four of our resident moms took a giant step in this direction by attending a "Walk Through the Bible" class at a local church. They signed up weeks ago because of their desire to know and understand more about God through His word. After dinner and clean-up, they packed up the van with all the children and headed off to church. In addition to their weekly worship attendance, this is a critical part of their journeys to healing from the inside out. I know God will meet them face to face as they desire to know Him and His Son Jesus.

Please continue to pray for our families as they dedicate themselves to this often painful life-change in order to find true healing and recovery and hope of a future. Until next week ...

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director

More work to do

2011-01-13T13:37:00.003-05:00

Today I was reading a National Survey from the Institute for Children, Poverty & Homelessness. Some of the data for Maryland I was well aware of and reference it often when I speak to groups, but some of the data was surprising. Here are the facts that I think paint a bleak picture for low-income families in Maryland:

1. Nearly 25% of MD families are one-parent, female headed households.
2. The median family income in MD is $82,404 with an average income of $103,236.
3. The fair market rent for a two-bedroom apartment is $1,102.
4. To afford this rent the income needed is $44,080.
5. Nearly 11% of children under the age of 5 and nearly 10% of children 5-17 in MD live in poverty.

(Source: www.redwhiteandbluebook.org/statedata.asp?year=4&state=us_md, retrieved 1/13/2011.)

I guess the good news is that the national averages for children living below the poverty level are almost doubled that of Maryland’s. (Keep in mind the 2009/2010 federal poverty level for a family of 3 is $18,310.)

As I reflect on the data, I come up with more questions than answers. What happens to very low income families living at 30% of area median income? With a fair market rent of $1,102 and a needed income of $44,080 to afford this rent, how can a single parent/low income family survive? And where do they go to find affordable housing? I’m sure you’ll agree with me that one child living in poverty in MD – or anywhere in this wealthy country – is one too many, yet nearly 11% of children under the age of 5 in MD are living BELOW the poverty level.

One thing I do know is that the work of Hope Alive is critically important to transform the lives of single parent/low income homeless families. Without the ability to earn a “housing wage” and find healing from the inside out, their prospects of achieving and maintaining self-sufficiency and independence are questionable at best. There’s so much more work to do and I sense God is calling Hope Alive to do more in 2011 to meet these needs. I look forward to see where God will lead us in this New Year.

A quick update on our babies … our first baby (born in December) was joined by our second baby when he came home from the hospital this past Monday. Babies, moms, big brothers and sister are all adjusting well.

Until next week …

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director

Reclaiming the life of a child

2011-01-06T11:11:00.005-05:00

In preparation for a speaking engagement today, I was reviewing data and information about family homelessness in America and in our own community. When I speak to a group I like to paint a picture of family homelessness highlighting the serious issue that it is not only across this country, but right here in our own backyard.

In 2009, the National Center on Family Homelessness published a study citing that one child in 50 is homeless in America. They go on to report that, “It is virtually impossible to reclaim the life of a child who has spent his childhood without a home.”

In reflecting on our own statistics, Hope Alive has served 34 homeless families including 64 children since opening our doors four years ago. These children have ranged from newborn to 17 years of age. We’ve not only had one newborn at Hope Alive, but three with the second born last month and the third scheduled for delivery tomorrow. I wonder what it feels like for a mother to bring her newborn baby home from the hospital when home is a “homeless shelter”. Our hope – and what we are called to do – is to help facilitate the life-transformation that God wants to bring to each family’s life so every child we serve will not spend their childhood without a home.

We know of many families who have left Hope Alive and returned to permanent affordable housing and are doing well. I just saw a former resident yesterday. This mother happily said her children were healthy and growing. Praise God! But for some, the cycle continues as mothers find that it’s too hard or too painful to embrace change. For their children, the cycle will continue.

Please pray for the youngest residents we serve. They are the innocent victims of this devastating problem that more and more families find themselves facing in this economy. We ended 2010 with a 49% increase in calls for help over the previous year. Our continuing economic challenges will only make the calls for help increase. BUT God is using all of us as His vessels to reach out to families in need to reclaim the life of every child. Thank you for your continued interest and support and may God bless you with a purpose-filled New Year! Until next week …

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director

2010 blessings

2010-12-30T16:58:00.003-05:00

It’s hard to believe that we are just about to enter a brand New Year. Where in the world did 2010 go? As we close out this year, I am most grateful to God for sustaining His ministry through 2010 and bringing Hope Alive to a much brighter place financially than we’ve been in the past 3 years. It’s just one more confirmation from our heavenly Father that He is in control and intends for us to continue serving the growing number of homeless families searching for help and embrace them with God’s life-changing love offering them hope and a future.

As I look back on this year I’m especially grateful for our dedicated staff that goes far above and beyond the call of duty. Few know that all of our staff – whether they work daytime, evenings, or weekends – have helped to fill gaps in overnight coverage since September. The dedication of these wonderful women is truly inspiring and I am blessed every day to serve alongside such amazing servants of God.

Also this year, we’ve been blessed with the addition of new developmental assessments for our resident children participating in our child development programs. These new assessments – conducted initially upon intake and then quarterly – measure developmental progress and milestone achievement as well as identify developmental delays that require special services or individualized care and nurturing.

And as always, I am grateful for the ministry that God provides for the women and children who call Hope Alive home. Hope Alive’s residential program has proven to be effective in addressing the diverse and complex needs of our families and moving them forward in their journeys to health, wholeness and stable permanent housing. Each family – despite their length of stay – finds hope of a future. I find such encouragement in my own life journey from our moms who face overwhelming challenges head on with such courage and determination. They are among the most inspiring women I know.

I know that I speak for the Hope Alive staff when I say that the opportunity to serve at Hope Alive is life changing by strengthening our daily walk with Christ and seeing who He is and what He is able to do in and through us. I treasure the times like this morning when the staff gathered around our children to pray for the day and they all chime in with a loud "Amen!"

I want to say a special thank you to Sharon May who is leaving us after 3 ½ years of faithfully loving our Hope Alive families to spend more time with her grandchildren and to Doree Lynn Miles who has committed her gifts and talents over the last 4 ½ years to help make Hope Alive what it is today. We will dearly miss both of these wonderful ladies and wish them God’s richest blessings.

In these last few days of 2010, I encourage you to take the time to give thanks to God for His abundant blessings this year. And may we look forward to the New Year with anticipation and excitement at what God will continue to do!

(If you are interested – or know someone who is – we are searching for Doree Lynn’s replacement as our Development Coordinator. Check out the job posting on our website at http://www.hopealiveministries.org/.)

Until next week …

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director

Wishing for a do-over

2010-12-23T15:40:00.004-05:00

As I’ve shared in earlier blogs this month, I’ve been watching for holy moments this Christmas season when God reveals Himself to us in special ways. Unfortunately, God gave me one this week and I rushed right past it. After a Tuesday morning meeting, I parked my car in downtown Frederick to pick up some donations for Hope Alive from my friends at the Dancing Bear Toy store. After dropping my quarter in the parking meter, I ran across the street and walked down the sidewalk to their store when I saw a poorly dressed man with long hair and gray beard. He had a Styrofoam coffee cup in his hand. As he neared the trash can on the sidewalk, he placed his coffee cup on the wide rim of the trash can and reached down into it to rummage around – most likely looking for food.

Sadly, I didn't even stop to ask if he needed help or something to eat. After leaving my friend's store, I briefly glanced down into the same trash can wondering if he found something to eat and then headed back across the street to my car. As I turned to unlock my car door and get in, there he was again – standing near my car with the same coffee cup in his hand. He didn’t say a word, but just looked at me. I hesitated, but then hopped inside my car and pulled out into traffic and drove away leaving him behind - or so I thought.

As I headed north on Rt. 15 toward Hope Alive, I started to think about him again and God reminded me about an important lesson He taught me while working at the Frederick Rescue Mission 10 years earlier. God showed me through a holy moment that my loving Him is dependent on how I love and serve those who are needy and living without hope. Jesus tells us in Matthew 25:35-40, that when we love and serve the “least of these brethren of Mine” that we minister to Jesus Himself. By reaching out to those in need we meet Jesus face to face.

I haven’t stopped thinking about this missed holy moment and found myself wishing for a “do-over”. This opportunity is gone, but I know I won’t let the next one go by without reaching out to the one in need with love. May these last two days before Christmas be filled with holy moments that fill us with God's love and peace ... especially the most holy moment we can experience by embracing the miraculous gift of God's Son Jesus who came to give us life. Merry Christmas!

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director

Christmas baby

2010-12-16T14:00:00.001-05:00

On Tuesday morning we welcomed our newest resident to Hope Alive. This was not a new family moving in, but the birth of a newborn baby welcomed by her mother and big sister. Each resident mother and staff member was thrilled that our baby had finally arrived. Jody - our Family Ministry Specialist - couldn't wait to get to the hospital to meet our youngest resident and brought back photos on the digital camera to share. It's not only a new addition to this one family, but to the entire Hope Alive family. This new mother received several visits from other resident moms and staff making her feel especially loved. She'll have many hands to help when they return to Hope Alive.

I hope you are still looking for holy moments as we approach Christmas. Here's another one that I experienced right after my blog posting last week. Last Thursday's Gazette featured an article about Deer Crossing Elementary's "Kids Care Club members help the homeless". Here's an excerpt from the article.

"The club currently has about 120 children signed up, spanning kindergarten through fifth grade. The club meets monthly and regularly works on projects to help others. As part of this month's project, students decorated boxes to collect personal care items to help support Hope Alive, Inc., a nonprofit organization that helps homeless women and children. Students are collecting toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, soap, shampoo and conditioner to donate to the shelter. They are also accepting baby care products such as shampoo, lotion, diaper cream, and children's socks, gloves, hats and other similar items. To drive the lesson home on Friday, the students learned about homelessness and the difference between a want and a need." One young student said, "I want a ferret, so I'll need ferret food. I'm also lucky to have my bed."

No one at Hope Alive even knew this was happening. For me, reading the article was a holy moment realizing there were 120 elementary school children in Frederick County who had spent their after school hours with one mission in mind - to help others.

What an inspiring testimony of the power of God's love working through young and tender hearts to make a difference in the lives of struggling families right here in our own backyard. Click here to read the entire article http://www.gazette.net/stories/12092010/urbanew172158_32537.php

In our last week before Christmas, stay focused on the real reason for the season - Jesus! May you and your family know God's love through the indescribable gift of His Son who came to give us life and hope! Until next week ...

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director

Santa's workshop

2010-12-10T07:38:00.001-05:00

I think I’ve seen more Santa’s Workshops advertised this year than ever before. Traditionally they are holiday shopping experiences for children to purchase reasonably priced gifts for family members. Last year my granddaughter shopped for her mom and dad, younger brother, dog Remmie and grandparents at the Santa’s Workshop in her elementary school. I still have my treasured votive candle, cologne, and reindeer bread basket she bought especially for me. But what’s most meaningful is the love that she expressed through her gift-giving.

Here at Hope Alive we too have a Santa’s Workshop each year. The sign went up this week on our conference room door where shopping bags of donated gifts are sorted so our resident moms and children can shop for each other. With little or no income, Christmas shopping is a luxury homeless families cannot afford. So Santa’s Workshop gives our moms the dignity they deserve by allowing them to provide gifts for their children. More importantly, it’s an expression of an outpouring of love and hope! They are overwhelmed by the gifts given for them! They can hardly believe that strangers care so much for families they have never met. We know this is just one more way God reaches into their hearts and souls to embrace them with His life-changing love!

Thank you to all who make this lavish expression of love possible. Thank you for keeping hope alive for each precious life we serve. My prayer for you is that you will know God’s indescribable love by receiving the gift of His Son Jesus this Christmas. Until next week …

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director

Holy moments

2010-12-03T08:32:00.003-05:00

Yesterday, I received a weekly e-mail update from my church. Reading through the information about worship and activities for next week, I clicked on the YouTube link – Hallelujah in the Mall – “to put some lift in your holiday spirit”. As I watched the video, a peaceful feeling came over me. The video showed an outbreak of the Hallelujah Chorus from choir members strategically seated in the mall’s eatery. As the shoppers caught on to what was happening, a holy hush came over the crowd. The highlight for me was a brief moment captured by the videographer where a mother lovingly reached down to hold her young child’s hand. By the end of the Chorus, many of the observers were on their feet singing with the choir and lifting holy hands in praise to God Almighty. It was a holy moment in the midst of the Christmas rush. (Check out the link at http://www.youtube.com/user/AlphabetPhotography.)

This is the essence of Christmas. We need to put aside the busyness of the season – the absorption in the shopping, gift wrapping, decorating, and parties - and reach out in love to create holy moments offering praise to God for the indescribable gift of His Son Jesus who came to offer us peace and eternal life.

At Hope Alive, we experience holy moments almost every day with the lavish outpouring of love and compassion that we receive this time of year – from the bountiful Thanksgiving meal provided for our resident families to the hand crocheted caps and blankets made by loving hands for our two new babies on the way to the caring notes of encouragement and support written by donors and volunteers. Through every act of kindness and love, we experience the presence and love of God – truly a holy moment!

Please take time to share your holy moments with us and others to help us focus on the real reason for the season. May you and your family be blessed with a peace-filled holy holiday.

Until next week …

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director

P.S. Remember to use GoodShop - http://www.goodsearch.com/goodshop.aspx - for your online holiday shopping (complete with coupons) to take the stress out of your days. And by choosing Hope Alive as your charity, your gift giving will also benefit our resident families!

Much to be thankful for

2010-11-24T16:09:00.008-05:00

Tomorrow is turkey day, but more importantly it’s a time to stop and give thanks to God for His abundant blessings in our lives. We have much to be thankful for!

The middle of last week, a new family moved in to Hope Alive – a beautiful young family who has been struggling with housing instability and multiple challenges since they were displaced by hurricane Katrina over five years ago. As an ex-marine, this young mother was determined to find a better life for her family so she left New Orleans with a baby and young son to live with family members in our area.

Since then she’s been moving from house to house. Throughout this time, she continued working, walking 3 miles each way. They hadn’t slept in a bed since June except for the week in the Econolodge before coming to Hope Alive. Her son has been in 11 schools, but now with the stability they’ve found at Hope Alive he can begin to enjoy his childhood. He just learned to ride a bike for the first time yesterday. Her preschooler danced through our children’s center this morning saying she just loves her big new house. In one short week, this mom has accomplished more than most moms do in their first month here.

Her one wish for Christmas was a bed and a roof over their heads. Thanks to God’s love and faithfulness, their wish was granted in time for Thanksgiving. Tomorrow will be an especially wonderful day for this family.

You can read her inspiring story online in tomorrow’s Gazette. Makes you stop and think doesn’t it? I know it does me. We take so much for granted and easily forget about the basics of life that most of us are blessed with in this country. I pray that tomorrow will be a time of reflection and gratitude to God for all He has done in our lives and the marvelous ways He cares for us each day.

Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise.
Give thanks to Him; bless His name.
For the Lord is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting,
And His faithfulness to all generations.
Psalm 100:4-5

Happy Thanksgiving! Until next week ...

Sue Oehmig

Founder and Executive Director

"I got the house!"

2010-11-11T18:51:00.006-05:00

“I got the house! I got the house!” These words echoed through the halls at Hope Alive first thing Monday morning. One of our resident families ready to move to our after-care phase had been patiently searching for “affordable” housing in the Thurmont area. The call she had been waiting for came Monday morning. This is one of the major milestones a Hope Alive family can achieve while participating in our residential program, but it’s only the first step in a brand new life filled with hope and a future. They are moving out this weekend absolutely thrilled to have their very own place to call home. And the best part is they are still close to Hope Alive and the support network she’s created for her family. In her excitement over the news, she raised her hands to thank God for all He has done in their lives.

The other "news" we received this week was pretty discouraging. Jody Julian (our Family Ministry Specialist) received a ruling from the Department of Social Services that our newest mom's participation in GED classes would not satisfy the state of MD’s requirement for 20 hours per week of “approved activity” to qualify for Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA) ($560 per month for a family of three). The state of MD blesses welfare recipients with a $500 cash award when passing the state GED exam, but makes no allowance (for women with children under the age of 6) to fulfill the class and study time required to pass the test. If she were taking college classes, however, she would be credited with one hour of "approved activity" for each credit hour taken in addition to an allowance for study time. If her children were over the age of six, she would be required to do 30 hours per week of "approved activity" to receive TCA benefits, but she would be credited 10 hours per week for time spent in GED classes and on homework. Make sense? Not to us!

So what does all this mean for our young mother who is committed to working hard to change her life? It means this young mother will be spending 20 hours per week in GED classes plus homework time to prepare for the state exam plus 20 hours per week of community service to satisfy the "approved activity" requirement plus 36 hours in a job readiness program next week plus directed job search for 40 hours over the following 3 weeks plus her mental health appointments plus appointments for her children’s physical health plus social service appointments, etc. And don't forget about her children that she needs to feed, bathe, love, and play with. But with Hope Alive’s assistance and God’s faithful provision, she will earn her GED, land a descent job, and one day shout, “I got the house!”

This is just one issue in a growing list of injustices we are discovering within the “system”. Thanks for your interest and continued support in the important work God has called us to do. I won’t be writing next week, but check back the week of Thanksgiving. Thanks for reading!

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director

Hope is where I'm supposed to be

2010-11-05T09:41:00.004-04:00

Two weeks ago a new family moved in to Hope Alive. Their first week with us was a huge transition for this young mother and her two little preschoolers - new house, new bed, new people, new day care, new home! The staff lovingly worked with this family to help make a smooth transition. For the first couple of days there were many tears from her children as they tried to figure it all out. But it wasn’t long before they had made new friends with our other youngest residents, were enjoying the playground and feeling at home.

Yesterday I watched these two young children in Abba’s Angels (our child development program for infant through preschool). The little girl was happily preparing breakfast in the play kitchen. She and her “guest” were eating honey buns and apples. Her younger brother was busy babbling to the staff as we assembled for prayer. Both of them excitedly joined our prayer circle to hold hands with the new adults in their lives that they have so quickly come to know and trust.

These are just a few of the comments their mother has made since they arrived … “I knew I needed to consider a solution to moving from place to place. When I called one day and “HOPE” appeared on my caller ID I knew this is where I am supposed to be.” “Beside a couple of family members, I have never trusted anyone to care for my child as much as I do Miss Ashley.” “What I like about this place is no one looks down on you because you are homeless; they just understand.”

This family has started attending a local church. Mom started her GED classes this week knowing her children are safe and well cared for. In just a few short weeks, this young family has found new stability in their lives and hope of a future. Thank you for making this possible by your support and interest in the work God has called us to do. Until next week …

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director

Next step of the vision

2010-10-28T11:14:00.004-04:00

For the past month, God has been stirring my heart again for the next step of the Hope Alive vision. With three families graduating from the residential program this year, we are reminded that the lack of affordable housing in Frederick County remains a major barrier for our families that are prepared to be on their own. Of the four families that have graduated from Hope Alive, only two are able to maintain housing in Frederick County.

Our first resident family is moving from temporary rental housing – provided by a generous donor for two years – to permanent affordable housing just across the state line in PA. We celebrate their achievement, but are troubled that this mother can’t afford Frederick County’s fair market rent on her own ($1,461/month for a two bedroom apartment) and is forced to move her family away from the community that has so strongly supported them for the past 3 ½ years. She’ll be able to commute to her permanent full-time job, but she’ll most likely be searching for a new faith community and transferring her children to new schools. Hope Alive is still only a phone call and short drive away so we will continue to offer our emotional support as we always have. We’re finding that even though our families move out of Hope Alive and successfully complete the after-care phase, we never sever the ties. We will always be family!

Don't get me wrong - we have more than enough to do right now, but with Hope Alive’s improving financial stability I’m praying God will make a way for us to remove this significant barrier by exploring affordable housing options in 2011.

If you are interested in learning more about this need or joining with us in this effort to eliminate one more barrier to self sufficiency, let me know. I'd love to talk to you! Until next week …

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director

God appointed reunions

2010-10-22T11:46:00.008-04:00

Last night was Hope Alive’s annual Resident Achievement Banquet. What a blessing to celebrate the Abundant Harvest that God has produced in the lives of our resident families! As promised, it was truly an inspiring evening hearing the successes and testimonies shared by our resident moms. There was not a dry eye in the house. Check out today's Frederick News Post for a photo and coverage of the event http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/news/display.htm?StoryID=111454.

Also last night, God appointed reunions for two of our residents that He orchestrated “behind the scenes”. This past Tuesday, a new family moved in to Hope Alive – a young mother with two preschool children. Reconnecting with her brother who had been in prison and then a halfway house is one of her immediate goals that she shared with Jody even before she moved in. God ordained that reunion to occur last night! Her brother knew she was referred to Hope Alive, but didn’t know she was already a resident. He attended last night’s banquet at the invitation of his pastor friend and mentor that he had connected with while in prison. Needless to say, they were both shocked and ecstatic to meet each other face to face in this unexpected place and time. It was an emotional reunion!

Secondly, one of our graduate moms was walking past my table to go to the buffet line, when she stopped in her tracks having recognized my guest as her ESL classmate from last year. My guest had passed FCC’s dental assistant program this past spring and her state licensing exam so I asked if she'd be willing to tutor one of our Hope Alive graduates who had completed the dental assistant program the previous year but was too nervous to take the state test. My friend said she’d be happy to work with her. To my surprise, the two women I was trying connect already were and God appointed their reunion last night. God is always two steps (or more) ahead of us in working out His plan in our lives!

Were these reunions coincidental? No way. I believe God perfectly appointed these two reunions to occur last night in His perfect timing! Isn’t our God amazing? Yes indeed!

Until next week …

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director

Highlights of the week

2010-10-14T22:52:00.005-04:00

Each week I consider what highlight of the week I should write about in my weekly blog. But this week, I found myself starting and restarting this blog way too many times having difficulty focusing on just one topic to write about. This week has been an array of activities and experiences. Here are the highlights …

On Monday, we received notice of a $15,000 grant award to Hope Alive from the Foundation for Spirituality and Medicine. This Foundation supports the work of organizations that focus on the integration of spirituality and health. Our foundation of faith in Christ undergirds everything we believe and do and is integrated into every program component area offered to our resident families – one of which is health management focusing on our resident families’ acute and chronic physical, dental and mental health issues. We are so grateful for their belief in our mission and generous support of our work.

Also on Monday, we had two new additions to our ministry team. Susan Hagelin started as our new full-time children’s preschool teacher. Ashley, our Children’s Ministry Director, is overjoyed to say the least! Debbie Dunn started her year of service as the new Volunteer MD Coordinator. Praise the Lord for answered prayers!

I spent the day in Washington, DC on Wednesday participating in the Library of Congress’ Combined Federal Campaign agency fair. I had the pleasure of talking with many Library employees and answering their questions about Hope Alive. Tearfully, one woman told me about a young mom and her child who she is housing in her tiny apartment. She said she wouldn’t be able to help them much longer, but they didn’t have any where else to go. She was grateful to hear there is a place like Hope Alive that might be able to help this young family.

On Thursday, one of our youngest residents was home sick from school. He proceeded to tell me that he had thrown up at school the day before in the computer lab - all over the computer keyboard, mouse and even got some on his hand. He’s feeling much better now. His description made me feel a bit queasy myself. Also on Thursday, we had a photographer here taking photos for the November issue of Elegant Living featuring Karlys Kline and the Women’s Giving Circle she founded here in Frederick County. As part of the story, they wanted to highlight one of the many nonprofits that the Women’s Giving Circle generously funds. Hope Alive has been one of their selected charities for the past four years. Karlys enjoyed meeting our youngest resident during her photo session with us.

At Thursday’s staff meeting, Jody announced that one of our resident moms was just elected to be the HeadStart parent representative from the Emmitsburg center to the monthly Frederick County meeting. We are all proud of the commitment this mom has made to her child's education. Way to go mom!

On Thursday evening, volunteers from Frederick Community College’s AAWCC chapter (Association of American Women in Community College) were here for their monthly visit including dinner and a special activity for the children. Moms and kids alike enjoyed the dinner they provided and the opportunity to create painted wooden picture frames.

And as we close out the week, we’re busy with the final preparations for our Resident Achievement Banquet next Thursday, October 21 at Dutch’s Daughter. This is by far my favorite Hope Alive event of the year. There’s usually not a dry eye in the house as our resident women are recognized for their achievements and share their inspiring stories of courage and hope. There’s still time to reserve your seat, so check out our website for more information at http://www.hopealiveministries.org/. Until next week …

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director

Honoring our staff

2010-10-07T17:04:00.002-04:00

Well it’s finally sunny today after days of chilly temps, rain, and dreary skies. I don’t know about you, but I feel much better after waking up this morning to see the sun!

This week I want to honor Hope Alive’s incredibly dedicated and gifted staff. Everyone who serves on Hope Alive’s ministry team is fully committed to serving Christ and those in our care. They make personal and family sacrifices to be here. It’s definitely not for the paycheck!

Our staff works unceasingly with our resident families to teach, guide, and coach each mother and child on their daily journeys to health, wholeness and stable permanent housing. The struggles each woman faces often feel insurmountable, but with God’s unconditional love and acceptance, each mother finds strength and determination to press on toward hope and a future. Our staff loves and nurtures the children in our care so their families are strengthened and they can grow and develop to their full God-given potential.

Sound like a fairy tale? It’s the truth and the honor I have every day to serve with such incredible women – Ashley, Doree Lynn, Jody, Laura, Missy, Rhonda, Sharon, and our on-call staff Amanda, Cathy, Rachelle, and Tricia. They are amazing women – each offering such wonderful gifts and talents that allow us to truly serve as the Body of Christ. I praise and thank God for their love for our Savior, commitment to sacrificial service, and their dedication to God's people in need. We’re thrilled to welcome two new ministry team members next week – Susan who is joining our children’s staff and Debbie who comes to us from Volunteer Maryland.

Don’t forget about our upcoming Resident Achievement Banquet on Thursday, October 21. I hope you are planning to attend – it’s an inspirational evening you won’t forget. Check out our website at http://www.hopealiveministries.org/ or call us at 301.241.4005 for more information or to make your reservations. Until next week …

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director

It's a miracle!

2010-10-01T16:18:00.003-04:00

Are you ready for the total? Today is the day we said we’d announce the total monies raised in response to the Ausherman Family Foundation Challenge Grant. As of today, we’ve received $36,326 in new gifts from our faithful and generous donors! When you consider the Foundation’s matching grant of $25,000 plus their initial $25,000 operating grant they awarded, the total in new funds raised since mid July exceeds $86,000! Thank you to our friends at the Ausherman Family Foundation and everyone who participated for believing in our mission and making this possible. I don’t know about you, but I believe this is a true miracle of God!

Back in the spring of this year, our financial picture was discouraging. Yes, we’ve always believed that God would provide for this ministry, but what He’s done far exceeded my hopes and prayers. What an amazing God we serve!

Thanks to this abundant blessing, we are able to fill once again to capacity. However, we cannot get too comfortable as the work of serving homeless women and children not only continues but has become more urgent than ever before. Just today we received four calls from homeless families living in motels or doubled up with family or friends.

Thank you for making this possible and being a part of this amazing journey of faith. We serve an absolutely amazing God and we know without a doubt that with Him all things are possible! Until next week …

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director

What's a mother to do?

2010-09-24T09:25:00.004-04:00

Today is Fair Day. In Frederick County, it’s practically “un-American” not to go. Frederick County Public Schools are closed so kids can attend. But what’s a mom to do when you have very limited income?

For some Hope Alive families Fair Day has been a long-standing tradition for their families. But due to their present circumstances and very limited finances, each mom is encouraged to set very strict boundaries for their families. So Jody – our Family Ministry Specialist – works with each mom to set a very tight budget for the day designating a small fraction of their limited income for a fun family outing and leaving all other monies at home for current expenses and designated savings. They talk with their children before going – explaining that they’ll be visiting the animals and exhibits and not riding the rides. They eat before leaving and take snacks in a bag.

So you may ask, “why go at all”? Well, it’s important for our moms and children to make family fun time a priority. They don’t take summer vacations and seldom get to visit fun places so this one day can be a big treat. And when they go back to school on Monday, for once they feel like the other kids at school and they can talk about their trip to the Great Frederick Fair.

About the family I mentioned last week ... they moved in on Tuesday and now have a home! Check out my blog next Friday. We’ll be announcing our Challenge Grant total! I hope you’re planning to attend our upcoming Resident Achievement Banquet on Thursday, October 21 at Dutch’s Daughter’s. I promise it’s an evening you won’t forget. Until next week …

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director

Offering hope to the hopeless

2010-09-16T09:09:00.003-04:00

First thing Monday morning, a young woman came to our door with her 3 year-old. She and her two children are living in a car since loosing their housing. That morning she was referred to Hope Alive by the Housing Authority so she drove out immediately to see if we could help. Jody – our Family Ministry Specialist – met with her and started an intake. The mother explained that her older son is in school every day and she allows him to ride the bus after school to the neighborhood where they lived so there’s some familiarity to his daily routine. She picks him up from the bus and they ride around for a while and spend the night in the car.

Near the end of Jody’s intake with this mother, the three year-old started to cry and said she wanted to go home. The mother explained that they’d be leaving soon, but instead of going home they needed to ride around a little while longer. Jody was able to offer her hope since we have room to take in this family. Tuesday was the mother’s and child’s birthdays.

Can you imagine living in a car with your children? Can you imagine your child coming home from school not knowing where you’d be sleeping that night? Can you imagine spending your birthday homeless with no gifts or means to celebrate?

Even with the flood of calls we’re receiving, we never become calloused or insensitive to each caller's desperate situation. Jody never completes a call without offering the woman hope – either through referrals to other community services (as limited as they are) or by offering prayer and encouragement. Please pray for each homeless family in our community – and across this country – that is struggling to survive and that more funding and services become available to meet these critical needs.

We are blessed by the generous outpouring of support we've received in the past two months that is enabling us to serve as many families as possible this year. To hear about the dramatic life-change our resident families experience and the abundant harvest God is producing in their lives, please plan to join us at our third annual Resident Achievement Banquet on Thursday, October 21 at Dutch’s Daughter’s Restaurant. It’s an evening you don’t want to miss! Check out our website at www.hopealiveministries.org for details. Until next week …

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director

We're getting closer!

2010-09-10T16:07:00.003-04:00

The Ausherman Family Foundation's $25,000 Challenge Grant to match all new donations dollar-for-dollar to Hope Alive is still in process. How can you help? Visit http://bit.ly/Dollar4Dollar for more information and stay tuned for our final update on Friday, October 1! In addition, God has brought us a full-time Volunteer MD Coordinator – an Americorp program through the Governor’s office – at a minimal cost to Hope Alive!

With God’s faithful provisions enabling us to lift our intake freeze, there’s one remaining barrier to Hope Alive filling to capacity. We have an urgent need for additional children’s ministry staff in order for us to serve more children. As a licensed center by the State of MD, we are required to maintain strict child to staff ratios. Check out the job listings below and contact us if you or someone you know feels called to join our ministry team. (We also have a need for on-call Residential Assistants.)

CHILD CARE PRESCHOOL TEACHER - This full-time position is responsible for the successful implementation of programs and activities for Hope Alive’s infant/preschool program under the direction of the Children’s Ministry Director. Applicants must be 19 years of age, have a high school diploma or equivalent and a 90-hour Certificate of Completion in acknowledged Child Care-COMAR required classes and be qualified as a child care teacher in a preschool center by MD Office of Child Care, and have a valid driver’s license. Experience working with infants is required.

CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER AIDE - This part-time afternoon position (15-20 hours per week) is responsible to assist with programs and activities in the children’s center working with infants, toddlers and preschoolers under the direction of the Children’s Ministry Director. Applicants must be at least 16 years of age and have a valid driver’s license. Experience working with infants, toddlers and preschoolers is preferred.

ON-CALL RESIDENTIAL ASSISTANT - This "as needed" part-time position is responsible for oversight of the program services and safety of the residents and the property during evening and weekend shifts. Applicants must be 19 years of age, have a high school diploma or equivalent and a valid driver’s license. Experience in a residential setting is preferred.

To apply for the positions listed above, go to our website at www.hopealiveministries.org and complete a Hope Alive employment application and send a resume and cover letter to hr@hopealiveministries.org or call 301.241.4005 for more information.

Please help us spread the word about our push to reach our Challenge Grant goal and our urgent need for children’s ministry and on-call staff. Also, keep in mind we are depending on the generous outpouring of support we’ve experienced to continue as we approach year-end and plan for services in 2011. Until next week …

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director

Back to school blues

2010-09-02T11:32:00.003-04:00

Our resident children are back to school, but their first week wasn’t the school start that we hoped for.

Last week, one of our youth broke his ankle during football practice. To say he’s disappointed is an understatement. He’s tempted to disregard the doctor’s instructions and cut off his cast and return to the field. It’s difficult for an active youth who has the talent to be the star of his team to “rest” and “take it easy”.

One of our youngest school-age children went off to public school for the first time. Her first day went smoothly and she came home telling her mom she loved school, but on her return trip home the second day, the bus had a minor accident. The school principal called Hope Alive to notify her mom about the accident and the bus delay. When asked if someone could come pick her up, the principal replied, “no, all children have to stay on the bus until the investigation by the police and school system is complete." It was nearly 5:45pm when she finally stepped off the bus to meet mom at our driveway – hot, tired, and very hungry. She told her mom, “the bus ran over a stop sign, but didn’t kill it!”

During their first week in the after-school program, our school-age residents complained about how heavy their backpacks were as they trudged up the driveway. They complained about the snacks that were prepared and they didn’t mind telling you they’d prefer not to do homework. (Keep in mind these are all boys!) They sheepishly admit though that they like school and their teachers and are making new friends.

We are grateful to God for the stability He offers each family at Hope Alive and the hope of a promising future. Contrary to statistics for homeless children, our youngest residents DO attend school regularly, improve academic performance and grades, identify and address learning disabilities and developmental delays, and progress toward high school graduation!

As I mentioned in last week’s blog, we are searching for a full-time preschool teacher and a part-time aide to expand our children’s ministry staff to meet licensing regulations to meet the needs of our youngest residents. Help us spread the word. We can't take more children until these positions are filled. Check out our website at www.hopealiveministries.org for details.

And one more update … we are more than half way toward our $25,000 Challenge Grant goal! You can find information on this special dollar-for-dollar matching grant opportunity on our website too. Until next week …

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director

Intake freeze lifted!

2010-08-27T10:27:00.002-04:00

Thanks to the generosity of the Ausherman Family Foundation and the response and faithfulness of Hope Alive’s donors, we are able to lift our intake freeze and fill once again to capacity! In July, the Ausherman Family Foundation awarded Hope Alive a $25,000 emergency operating grant and a $25,000 Challenge Grant matching dollar for dollar every donation we receive – resulting in $75,000 in much-needed funding to serve as many homeless families as possible this year! Thanks to the outpouring of matching gifts from our generous donors, we are almost at the half-way mark (in just one month’s time) to reaching the $25,000 match! The outpouring of gifts from our friends and the Foundation is allowing us to serve more homeless families with a family of five moving in next week! Thank you and keep spreading the word about this special opportunity so we meet the $25,000 goal (and beyond) as quickly as possible!

Lifting our intake freeze presents a new challenge – the need for additional children’s ministry staff to maintain child/staff ratios (required by state licensing regulations) as our resident population grows. Our summer staff returned to college in mid August and our recruiting efforts this summer have been unfruitful in bringing qualified applicants to our doors. You’ve been so effective in helping us spread the word about the Challenge Grant that I’m hoping you can help us with our staffing challenge. The positions we need to fill as quickly as possible are a full-time preschool teacher (with a 90 hour certification) and a part-time (afternoons) aide. More information on these positions can be found on our website at www.hopealiveministries.org on the “Get Involved” page or by calling us at 301-241-4005. We know God’s timing is always best so we wait – trusting and believing that God will bring us His servant to join our ministry team to meet the needs of our youngest residents.

Enjoy the beautiful weekend weather as summer winds to a close. Until next week …

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director

Graduation celebrations

2010-08-19T10:48:00.003-04:00

Graduation in August? Not traditionally, but at Hope Alive we are thrilled to celebrate resident graduations any time of the year! Tomorrow we celebrate the most significant milestone that a family can achieve while at Hope Alive – graduation! In fact, we not only have one graduation to celebrate tomorrow evening, but two! You may have read these families’ stories in our August issue of Hope Matters. Their official “move out” dates were in June and July, but these two special moms and their children wanted to graduate together and with their busy lives it was challenging to find an agreeable date. Tomorrow evening, their life-change and many achievements will be celebrated as they have successfully transitioned to independent living!

What’s especially encouraging to me is the list of guests they have invited. These are their new support networks they have formed for themselves since coming to Hope Alive – volunteers, colleagues, new friends, new families that have embraced them as part of their own, and family relationships that have been mended and reconciled.

As I’ve mentioned before, when a family graduates, it’s not “good-bye”, but “see you soon” because we remain in what seems like constant contact. These moms call to tell us of their successes and struggles and appropriately ask for advice and support when needed.

It will be a wonderfully inspiring evening filled with tears and laughter and thanksgiving to God for all He has done in their lives!

Don’t forget our dollar for dollar match going on right now – thanks to the generosity of the Ausherman Family Foundation. Check out our website at http://www.hopealiveministries.org/calendar/event/174 for more information and help us spread the word! Until next week …

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director

Family homelessness strategies

2010-08-12T20:47:00.004-04:00

I read a very interesting blog this week by Ralph da Costa Nunez, President of the Institute for Children, Poverty & Homelessness, that encouraged me in our work at Hope Alive. He states that rapid rehousing – an iteration of the Housing First strategy – has become the dominant trend among the homeless policy and services community. Rapid rehousing’s 2009 federal legislation, Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-housing Program (HPRP) and Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing Act (HEARTH Act), have changed the approach to family homelessness. The legislation's goal is to move the homeless as quickly as possible into permanent housing with access to support services. Granted, this strategy has proven successful in helping chronically homeless single adults exit the roles of homelessness, however, it's been much less effective when applied to homeless families.

He cites in his blog, “Rapid rehousing applies the same Housing First principle to all families, regardless of needs, and despite the fact that the causes of family homelessness are complex and families often face multiple barriers to self-sufficiency. The strategy’s short-term focus on housing ignores the multi-faceted realities of these families’ lives – relegating adult education, job training, income supports, domestic violence issues, or health problems to secondary importance. Data are beginning to show that rapid rehousing may have serious longer-term consequences for families and family shelter systems … they have not been effective in achieving the long-term goal of permanently transitioning families to self-sufficiency. Clearly, reducing the shelter census should not be the goal – permanent self-sufficiency should be.” In fact what’s happening in New York City is that recidivism rates for families returning to homelessness are skyrocketing to a projected 179% by the end of this fiscal year.

AMEN brother! So what does this mean to Hope Alive? It means we stay the course in our mission of providing transitional housing and comprehensive support services to empower women and children with Christian values, dignity and the skills they need to live self-sufficient lives filled with hope and a future. We have not and will not be swayed by government dollars or dictated trends and priorities. Housing first is not our primary objective and we stay committed to addressing the root causes of family homelessness and offering the most effective and innovative solution that helps families exit the roles of homelessness once and for all.

I encourage you to check out his very thought-provoking and informative blog – “One Size Does Not Fit All: Rapid Rehousing and Homeless Families” – at http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ralph-da-costa-nunez/one-size-does-not-fit-all_b_649338.html and share your thoughts. Until next week ...

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive

Homeless trends

2010-08-06T12:27:00.004-04:00

A woman and her two young children sleeping in a laundromat? Here in Frederick County? Sounds impossible in this day and age, but unfortunately this was reality for one homeless family that called Hope Alive this week.

I’ve been blogging a lot recently about the alarming increase in the number of homeless families calling us for help – 45% increase from January to July of this year compared to the same period last year. Sadly, the callers are becoming more desperate than ever before.

Here are some trends Jody Julian, our Family Ministry Specialist, has seen in recent calls for services. More homeless families are …

* persistent in calling multiple times as their homeless crisis has not been resolved,
* living doubled up with friends and family members in subsidized housing – placing their subsidized housing in jeopardy,
* calling us having already accessed all available services,
* moving from county to county and even across state lines, hoping to find help,
* calling from out of the region and other states,
* facing homelessness due to foreclosure.

So what do we do? Thanks to the Ausherman Family Foundation’s generous operating grant and $25,000 Challenge Grant matching dollar for dollar every donation we receive, we are able to lift our intake freeze and help as many families as possible.

You may be wondering what happened to the mom and two young children sleeping in the laundromat. Fortunately, the first agency they contacted – the Frederick Community Action Agency – sent out a staff member to confirm their situation (as they prioritize their intakes based on their emergency situation) and they were able to take them into the City shelter right away.

Please pray for the families that are struggling to survive right here in our own backyard and pray for the families we serve to fully embrace the opportunity for life-change and exit the roles of homelessness once and for all. We are so grateful for your support that makes this possible. Until next week …

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director

Achieving our mission

2010-07-30T11:40:00.002-04:00

I’m excited to announce that Hope Alive’s program committee is nearing the completion of our first formal evaluation of our program services. The program committee has been meeting for weeks with staff, residents, program graduates, and volunteers to conduct interviews and complete questionnaires that were developed to measure our results and determine if we are achieving our mission.

The committee members have dedicated countless hours to finalizing a quality evaluation plan, creating questionnaires, interview questions, and data collection tools, contacting staff, residents and volunteers and scheduling and conducting more than 50 interviews. I am so grateful for the committee’s professional expertise, dedication to this process and commitment to our mission and the leadership of Ingrid Manfredo.

Results are scheduled to be released in August. I’m not expecting an A+ report card, but recognize that the purpose of this process is to identify what’s working and what’s not so we can continue to improve the delivery of our program services to more effectively meet the needs of homeless women and children and empower them with Christian values, dignity and the skills they need to live self-sustaining lives filled with hope and a future.

Don’t forget to let your friends and family know about our $25,000 Challenge Grant from the Ausherman Family Foundation matching dollar for dollar every donation we receive! Help us spread the word and check out our website at ttp://www.hopealiveministries.org/calendar/event/174 for more information on this tremendous opportunity to raise critically needed funds to serve a growing number of homeless families in our community! Until next week …

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director

How God works

2010-07-22T13:43:00.005-04:00

As a Christian ministry, there are two questions we are commonly asked: “Are your religious activities mandatory for residents?” and “Do you serve women of other faiths?” The answers to these questions are “no” and “yes”.

Spiritual activities and church involvement is optional for every mother and child who comes through our doors. Our faith in Christ as Lord and Savior is one of our four core values. It’s because of our foundation of faith in Christ that we serve God’s people in need and embrace them with His life-changing love as the key to change and transformation. We live out our faith daily and love every mother and child with God’s love until they want to know the God who loves them for themselves.

We serve women (and children) of all faiths or no faith at all. A spiritual review is part of our family needs assessment to determine (among many other things) a family’s spiritual background and if the mother has a desire to grow in her faith during her time at Hope Alive. Then she decides what those spiritual goals are for herself and her children.

From an email I received this week from Jody Julian, our Family Ministry Specialist, here’s one example of how this happens.

“I overheard a preschooler speaking to a volunteer as they were doing a puzzle together in our children’s center. The volunteer commented that the man in the puzzle was Jesus and the young child said, ‘I have never met Him before.’ To the volunteer’s reply, ‘You haven’t?’ the child said, ‘No, my mommy has never taken me to see Him before.’”

“The next day I was going over the schedule for next weekend with the mom. She had made changes in her daughter’s schedule in terms of meeting up with a family member so her daughter could go to church. A few hours later she also came to me and told me she was so excited because in our recent clothing donations she found a “church dress” that fit her perfectly and her daughter has never had a church dress. It was also a “coincidence” that there were matching shoes that fit too. This Sunday she plans to talk to the pastor as one of her first identified goals is to get her daughter baptized.”

See how God works? No pressure, no mandatory participation. We remain faithful to our calling, obedient in service, and continue to live out our faith each day as a testimony to the lives we touch and He works in each mother and child’s life as He wills.

Please keep those questions coming and let me know if there’s something in particular you’d like to hear about in my blog. And don’t forget about our $25,000 challenge grant from the Ausherman Family Foundation matching dollar for dollar every donation made to that amount. Help us spread the word! Until next week …

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director

Great news!

2010-07-16T14:00:00.004-04:00

I have great news! It's no secret that like many other nonprofit organizations, Hope Alive has faced difficult financial challenges for the past two years. We have been open and honest about our financial position while aggressively working to find solutions. Of course, the smartest solution is to increase income while cutting expenses. Since 2008, we've cut our expenses by more than 30% yet maintaining core services while expanding our fundraising initiatives.

We are thrilled to announce two generous grants from our friends at the Ausherman Family Foundation - an immediate $25,000 operating grant and a $25,000 challenge grant that will match every dollar raised up to $25,000! The result? $75,000 in much-needed funding to continue our desperately needed services for homeless women and children in the community! Praise the Lord!

Needless to say, we are thrilled by the Foundation's continued generosity, commitment to our mission, encouragement, and for their creativity in leveraging donor dollars. Please spread the word about this incredible opportunity and help us meet the $25,000 goal as quickly as possible!

God never fails to amaze me in the ways He faithfully provides and answers prayers. Hope Alive is His ministry and vision and we know our future is in His hands.

If you can help with a donation that will be doubled, go to our website and click "donate now" and indicate that it's in response to our "challenge grant". Spread the word! Until next week ...

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director

Ready to serve

2010-07-09T14:35:00.002-04:00

Just back from vacation, I returned to Hope Alive on Tuesday refreshed, rested and ready to serve. I thought I'd get a week to ease back into the work of the ministry, but the needs of homeless families in our community abruptly brought me back to reality. Just today, we received calls from four homeless families who are struggling to survive in our community. One mother and her two year old are living in a car, two families are living in a motel, and one mother and her 14 month old are facing eviction. Despite our need to operate below capacity because of our staffing and resource limitations, the needs are too great so we’re starting the intake process for two of these families in emergency situations. From January to June of this year, we’ve seen an alarming 43% increase in requests for services as compared to the same period last year.

At the same time, we are refreshed by the life-change our resident families are experiencing! This month we are celebrating two families’ graduations from our residential program. One family moved on to independent housing last month, but she wanted to wait and share the celebration with the next family that’s graduating this month. Both of these families – along with the other families who have successfully moved from Hope Alive to independent housing – are healthy, whole, and living self-sustaining lives filled with hope and a future. And one of our teen residents just came back from a week at Christian camp as a changed young lady. She wants to go on a mission trip later this year to a third world country ready to serve others who are in much greater need than her family.

We continue to trust God completely to meet the needs of homeless women and their children. Through the power of His life-changing love and the ministry of Hope Alive, life transformation is possible and women and their children are finding hope of a future.

Vacation is wonderful, but I am grateful for the privilege of serving God’s people in need. Thank you for your support and commitment to our mission. Until next week …

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director

Hope and a future

2010-06-18T09:00:00.000-04:00

Last Friday we celebrated one of the most major milestones families can reach while at Hope Alive. After a year and a half of program participation, a mom and her two children excitedly moved all their worldly belongings to their new apartment. But even more importantly, when they left Hope Alive last Friday they walked out of our doors feeling loved, accepted, happy, healthy, self confident, and well-equipped with skills to meet the world head on and live self-sustaining lives filled with hope and a future.

This family has accomplished so much since walking through our doors. The mom completed a dental assistant certificate program at FCC while continuing her employment as a CNA. She learned to manage a budget, resolved debt including paying off her car loan, and made significant strides in increasing her savings for a brighter future. They addressed multiple physical, dental and mental health issues and now are healthier than ever before. The children’s school recognized their excellent attendance and character qualities and they flourished in our children’s programs while mom learned more about their growth and development and effective parenting skills. This family has grown in their faith and love for the Lord and now they are active members in a local church. The mom has established a strong support system in new friends and her church family that they can depend on.

They’ll continue in our after-care program for an additional year, so when a family graduates, we never say “good-bye”, but “see you soon”. It’s never easy to part. The staff, residents, and volunteers are a family and when one family graduates it’s a celebration of their successes as well as time of many tears as they leave “home” to stretch their wings and fly.

I’ll be off-line for a couple of weeks while on vacation and won’t be posting blogs unless I’m truly inspired! I pray God blesses you this summer with time for relaxation and refreshment as He has for me and my family. Until later …

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director

A word of encouragement

2010-06-13T08:59:00.004-04:00

Last week was an unusually stressful one at Hope Alive. In light of the trials we’ve been experiencing and what many of you may be facing in this difficult economy, I’m feeling the need for an encouraging word as I write this week’s blog.

A week ago, we had to discharge a family from the program which is always terribly painful. Then last Wednesday, one resident mom had extensive dental surgery and by noon the same day another mom was taken from her GED class to the emergency room for severe abdominal pains. Our staff scrambled to provide care for these mothers’ 5 children after our children’s center closed – not knowing when the mom in the ER would return to Hope Alive. And then on Friday, one family graduated and moved out which is always a day filled with hugs and tears.

Besides responding to the daily challenges and needs of our resident families with a skeleton staff, we’re feeling tremendous pressure from our tight financial position with recent underfunded and unfunded grant proposals including our Frederick County grant which was not reinstated in the County’s FY2011 budget despite the recommendation by the Grants to Human Service program. Thankfully three of the County Commissioners said they would commit at least a portion of the balances left in their personal expense accounts to Hope Alive to help with this shortfall. As an unfunded FY2011 nonprofit, we’ll most likely be excluded from applying for FY2012 funding.

Despite our ability hold expenses to a very bare bones minimum – including staffing – we are still operating with an 11% deficit from January to May of this year. This may not seem like much, but we’re going into our traditionally lean summer months so this deficit will continue to increase through August.

In the midst of all this, we know God is faithful. Last week He reminded me about the story in the Bible of Peter walking on the water (Matthew 14:22-36). When the disciples saw Jesus walking on the sea, they were terrified, but Jesus immediately called to them and said “Take courage; it is I; do not be afraid.” Jesus called to Peter asking him to “come!” and Peter stepped out of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. But when Peter saw the wind and the waves around him, he became frightened and began to sink. At least he had enough sense to call out to Jesus and when he did Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of Peter. When they got in the boat the wind stopped.

It’s so easy for us to take our eyes off of Jesus and focus on the circumstances and trials of life and when we do, we are overtaken by fear, doubt and discouragement. Jesus calls us to “take courage and do not be afraid” reassuring us He is with us and in control. I find when I readjust my focus to the Savior, then fear, doubt and discouragement disappear and I’m embraced with His peace and hope.

I pray that as you face life’s trials that you will call out to Jesus and step out of the boat to walk on the water to Him – paying no attention to the wind and waves - realizing that with God all things are possible! Until later this week …

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director

God works in mysterious ways

2010-06-04T14:21:00.001-04:00

The outcome of our appeal to Frederick County’s Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) did not produce the result we expected, but God works in mysterious ways. I watched the BOCC’s work session Tuesday morning to see what the final outcome would be after addressing the Board last Thursday morning. I had asked the Board to reverse their decision to eliminate our funding from the County’s FY2011 budget and vote to reinstate our $6,678 grant-in-aid.

As the budget discussion started, Commissioner David Gray said he wanted to allocate the $1,500 balance in his personal expense account to Hope Alive. Commissioner Hagen agreed with Commissioner Gray’s proposal and said he would like to do the same, but split his allocation between Hope Alive and one or two other charities whose funding was also cut. Commissioner Gardner also supported the idea, but asked that the Board revisit this in two weeks after the finance office could verify the actual balances.

As I sat and watched this unfold, I immediately sensed God’s hand in this – not reinstating the funding as we had prayed and hoped but providing for the needs of the ministry in His sovereign way! God bless them for their commitment to and recognition of Hope Alive’s mission and service to Frederick County.

On a different note, we were notified this week that the state of Maryland has made a policy change (effective May 1) that now allows recipients of Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA) – which most of our resident families receive – to have cash resources that exceed the previous limit of $2,000. What this not provides is for TCA recipients to have cash reserves in case of emergencies and to save for the future. This is great news for our families as they strive to save money for first and second months rent and security deposits so they can exit homelessness and have a better chance of maintaining independent living.

Often the work of this ministry is challenging, so it was nice to have some encouraging news this week! Please continue to keep us – and the growing numbers of homeless families needing help – in your thoughts and prayers. Until next week …

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director

County grant update

2010-05-28T09:15:00.004-04:00

Here's an update on Hope Alive's County grant status. I learned on Monday that the only opportunity we'd have to appeal the board's decision to cut Hope Alive's grant would be at the Board of County Commissioners' weekly work session. Resident Monica and I attended Thursday morning's session and both spoke on behalf of Hope Alive.

I emphasized the significant increase we're seeing in requests for services with a 36% increase from January to April over the same period last year. I talked about our current financial position of operating on a bare bones budget from a 28% reduction in 2009 forcing us to reduce the number of families we can serve in 2010 until we raise more funds. I stressed our need for the County's recommended $6,678 grant-in-aid so we can continue offering core services for our community's homeless families. As I told the Commissioners and shared in last week's blog, this grant equates to 508 bednights that we cannot provide this year if the grant is not reinstated for FY2011. I asked the board to reverse their decision and vote to reinstate the recommended grant-in-aid to Hope Alive.

Commissioners Gardner, Young, and Gray recognized the important service Hope Alive provides to the community and praised us for the significant work we've accomplished in our short 3 1/2 years since opening our doors. Monica followed my comments by sharing her devastating struggle of homelessness and said that without Hope Alive she would be dead - literally. She eloquently urged the Commissioners to vote to reinstate our grant so no other family would have to face what she was able to avoid.

You may have read in Thursday's Gazette the formal stand the Commissioners have taken against Commissioner Thompson's actions of requesting 12 nonprofit organizations to sign letters of credit for repayment of their grant awards to fund the employee's retirement trust. Hope Alive was one of those nonprofits that received Commissioner Thompson's email and letter of credit. Thankfully, Citizens Services and Commissioner Gardner confirmed that this was not sent from the board and Commissioner Thompson acted alone. No further comment here about this strange action by our esteemed public official.

The Commissioners have heard your voice - so thank you so much for your advocacy on our behalf. The final budget vote will occur next Tuesday, June 1. We are so grateful for the support and encouragement received through this process from so many wonderful county employees, elected officials and of course our wonderful Hope Alive supporters. When Monica and I left the hearing room, we felt completely at peace - leaving it in God's hands as to what the final outcome would be.

I've written a lot lately about the needs we're seeing in the community. May will be one more month that we'll see more than 30 requests for services so the increase over last year continues to rise.

Have a great holiday weekend. Until next week ...

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director

County cuts Hope Alive's grant

2010-05-20T17:39:00.003-04:00

You may have read in today's Frederick News Post that Hope Alive’s recommended $6,678 grant from Frederick County Grants to Human Service’s program was eliminated from the FY2011 County budget based on a 3-2 vote by the County Commissioners (Commissioners Gardner and Hagen voted against the cut). According to the News Post, Commissioner David Gray changed his vote yesterday to partially restore funding to the Frederick Arts Council and the Frederick County Hepatitis Clinic. We are advocating on our behalf – and ask that you help in this effort – to have Hope Alive’s $6,678 grant restored to the FY2011 County budget. Here’s why …

1. Hope Alive is a “first-tier” primary service provider for Frederick County's homeless population. Frederick County needs Hope Alive to serve the growing number of homeless families.
2. From January to April of 2010, Hope Alive saw a 36% increase in requests for services over the same period in 2009.
3. The County grant of $6,678 may only be 5.6% of our operating budget for family shelter services, however, the impact will be significant with our already strained operating budget that has prohibited us from operating at full capacity in 2010.
5. This grant amount represents 508 bednights that will not be available for Frederick County’s homeless women and their children.
6. We already have an underserved homeless population in Frederick County and this will further reduce available services to meet the desperate needs of homeless families.

We understand the County budget balanced before the cuts to nonprofits were made. These cuts go against Frederick County’s Grants to Human Services program recommendations. There was no appeal process or time for public comment for affected nonprofits.

Please help advocate for Hope Alive’s critically needed shelter services by contacting Commissioner David Gray by close of business Monday, May 24. We know that with God all things are possible. Thanks for your committed support to Hope Alive and the families who are struggling to survive right here in our own backyard. With your help, let’s watch what God can do! Until next week …

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director

Pomp and Circumstance

2010-05-14T20:43:00.005-04:00

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

Visions

2010-04-30T12:12:00.004-04:00

Last night was one of Hope Alive’s most exciting fundraising events ever! Visions for Hope – a silent auction of children’s artwork – was impressive! We had a record number of people attend as well as an overwhelming number of entries of children’s ceramics, photography, painting, stonework, photo frames, jewelry and more. Every item was purchased by bidders raising much-needed funds to support Hope Alive’s children’s ministry for our youngest residents. And all proceeds were doubled by a generous anonymous donor offering a matching gift up to $5,000!

Many of the young artists attended including Hope Alive’s children. The expressions on their faces were priceless as they watched adults outbid each other in an attempt to win selected artwork. One local business bought a series of sponge paintings made by Hope Alive children to hang in their offices. Each child left with such positive feelings about themselves and their abilities.

Thank you to everyone who made this event such a wonderful success … our event sponsors, artists, attendees, contributors, and our incredible special events committee!

Just a quick update on my previous weeks’ blogs this month ... April has resulted in the highest number of phone calls we’ve received in any one month since opening more than 3 years ago. Our average number of monthly calls from homeless families has been 18. This month was nearly 40! Please continue to keep the growing numbers of homeless families in your thoughts and prayers and ask God to sustain them in their daily struggles to survive.

If you haven’t been to Hope Alive recently for a visit, think about joining us this Sunday, May 2 from 1 to 4pm for our Open House. Take advantage of the beautiful weather and come by to say hello, meet our families and staff, and enjoy a tour and light refreshments. Visit our website for driving directions. Hope to see you there!

Until next week …

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director

From hopelessness to hope

2010-04-24T20:41:00.005-04:00

As I've shared the last couple of weeks, we continue to receive record numbers of phone calls from homeless families searching for help. Every day we hear heartbreaking stories from more than 30 families already this month - a record number since opening our doors more than 3 years ago. One mother even came to our doorstep in tears saying that 3 of her 4 children were living with family or friends until she could find housing. Her fourth child was hospitalized for mental health issues. It's difficult to hear the hopelessness in their voices. We are doing everything possible to help more families despite our limited resources at this time.

In contrast to the hopelessness we hear every day, we are encouraged by the achievements of the resident women and children we serve at Hope Alive. This week, one mother reached a major milestone. After more than a year of hard work, she earned her high school diploma through Frederick County Public School's External Diploma Program (EDP) - a dream come true! She's already ordered her cap and gown for her May graduation! And then last night, Jody Julian (our Family Ministry Specialist) and I couldn't have been more proud with six Hope Alive women and one of our staff being recognized at Frederick Community College's Donor-Scholar Reception with all seven having received scholarships this year. One of our moms was even a keynote speaker. You could have heard a pin drop as she shared her journey from homelessness to hope.

Also this week, our resident children are preparing their final pieces of artwork for our Visions for Hope event on April 29th! It's not to late to join us for this special opportunity to meet our talented young artists and support their efforts. For more information, check out our website at http://www.hopealiveministries.org/ or give us a call at 301.241.4005.

Please keep the overwhelming number of homeless families searching for help in your thoughts and prayers. We trust God will provide for our needs so we can help as many families as possible this year. Until next week ...

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director

Responding to the need

2010-04-16T12:59:00.004-04:00

My blog last week – “needs on the rise” – shared with you the increasing number of calls we’re receiving from homeless families in our community. On average, we receive about 20 phone calls each month. As I mentioned last week, this past January we received the second highest number of calls (30) since July 2008. Mid way through April, we’ve already received 20 calls from homeless families – each in desperate situations and struggling to survive.

So how do we respond? Jody – our Family Ministry Specialist – talks with each woman who calls to assess her family’s circumstances and then compares their needs to our available resources. Do we have bed space available to accommodate their family size? Is there room for the children in our children’s programs based on their ages and our staff/child ratios required by state licensing? Do they have any other housing options available … family or friends they can stay with at least temporarily? What’s most concerning to me is the trend we’re seeing. As shared by many homeless service providers, the numbers of homeless families needing shelter is increasing at an alarming rate.

What we’re doing in response is working to raise more funds so we can provide the staff and resources needed for the increasing inquiries and provide referrals to other community services, operate at capacity to help as many families as possible, and effectively serve our growing number of graduate families in after-care. You can help us help others by spreading the word and supporting our efforts such as our upcoming Visions for Hope event on Thursday, April 29 at the Delaplaine Visual Arts and Education Center in downtown Frederick. This event … kids helping kids … is a silent auction of children’s artwork to benefit Hope Alive’s children’s programs. It promises to be a fun event for the entire family.

Yesterday I saw a few examples of our resident children’s photography that they’ve entered in the Visions for Hope silent auction. Their photos are stunning! I could hardly believe they were taken by our very own 6 and 8 year old residents. Check out our website for more information and come meet our young artists. Together we can respond to the needs and make a difference! Until next week …

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director

Needs on the rise

2010-04-08T16:17:00.001-04:00

This past January we received 30 phone calls from homeless families needing help – the second highest monthly total since opening our doors over 3 years ago. We are already well on our way to what may be a record number of inquiries this month with eight calls received in the last 72 hours. Despite our official intake freeze, we are going to fill a few spaces – not to full capacity though – to help meet some of the need we are seeing in the community. The families we are hearing from have children ranging from infants to teenagers. They all face one or more of the issues common to homelessness such as domestic violence, substance abuse, lack of affordable housing, inability to earn a living wage, and even mental illness. It’s discouraging for our Family Ministry Specialist to hear the desperation in their voices and not have the resources to help each one. She provides referrals to other community services, but there are never enough shelter beds available in the community so much of the need remains unmet.

I recently received a call from a firm in Baltimore that is conducting a survey of service providers in the Washington metro area to assess the needs of homeless families. The information he is gathering is disturbing. Montgomery County reports they have 50-60 homeless families on the streets every night that their shelters are unable to serve. Fairfax County reports seeing a 60% increase in need from 2008 to 2009. The caller promised to keep me updated on his findings, but he suspects the number of homeless families in the Washington DC area is increasing significantly.

We are grateful for the outpouring of support we receive from the community which not only keep our doors open in this difficult economy, but is providing the additional support we need to serve as many families as possible in 2010. Please continue to keep the many many homeless families who are struggling to survive in your thoughts and prayers. Until next week …

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director

Let the sun shine!

2010-04-02T12:20:00.003-04:00

In preparation for Hope Alive's solar energy system installation next week, our project coordinator and faithful volunteer - Dawn Nelson - presented "Solar 101" for our resident moms and children. She brought a small 5 watt solar panel to explain how solar energy works and talked about the system being installed on Hope Alive's roof. She solicited the moms help in serving the volunteer crew during the install. For fun, she brought solar-powered windmill kits for the children to assemble and test.

I was surprised how engaged everyone was - children and moms alike - and how determined they were to put all of the parts of their solar windmills together properly to make sure they would work. When the first windmill was completed and the flood light turned on for power, the "propellers" started to turn and everyone cheered! Soon all the windmills were working. One school-ager took hers to school on Thursday to share with her class and sat with it outside on the Hope Alive sidewalk after school to watch it spin in the sun. What a great learning experience!

Please plan to join us for our solar energy system "unveiling" on Tuesday, April 20 at 2pm. We are especially grateful for the generosity of our project partners - BP Solar, Crum Electric, and Glory Energy Solutions - for their donated time, equipment, materials, and labor! We are excited about the reduction in electric costs that we'll soon realize and the start of a smaller carbon footprint.

My prayer for you this weekend is that you and yours will experience the risen Christ as we celebrate His resurrection and the new life that He gives by faith. May God's Son shine in your lives. Happy Easter!

Until next week ...

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director

So much to celebrate

2010-03-18T16:34:00.003-04:00

This week’s weather is so refreshing. What a change from just a couple of weeks ago. I trust Hope Alive’s good news and highlights this week will inspire you as well!

Last Sunday, our resident teen received a trophy for his basketball team’s first place tournament finish. Then early this week, our youngest resident learned to pull himself up to a standing position and started to crawl today - there's no stopping him now. The following day, our soon to be 3 year old achieved a major milestone in our “Potty Training Academy”. I won’t go in to further detail on this one, but needless to say he was a very proud little boy. Yesterday, one of our school-age children announced she was writing to God to let Him know just how she's feeling. This is a giant step in her healing process.

One resident mom passed her driving test today and couldn’t wait to share the news with staff and volunteers. For the first time ever, all of our resident moms at Hope Alive have their driver’s licenses. Last night, our recent graduate family returned for dinner and a visit. We sure do miss them, but we're so thankful they are doing well.

And we top off the week with a third birthday celebration for one of our preschoolers today. Wow! Many weeks at Hope Alive are challenging, but this one has been especially fun and rewarding with so much to celebrate.

Enjoy the beautiful sunny warm weather this weekend. Until next week …

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director

Intake freeze

2010-03-12T12:34:00.006-05:00

By now you may have heard or read in our March newsletter that we have instituted an intake freeze at Hope Alive. This means that even though we have beds available, we do not have the resources or staff required to continue to operate at capacity. Jody - our Family Ministry Specialist - is not only intensely working with our current resident families on a daily basis, but she also serves our growing number of families in the after-care phase with more graduations scheduled in the coming months. Families graduating from Hope Alive's residential phase are a great cause for celebration, but our reality says we can no longer do more with less.

Our 2010 operating budget provides for three new part-time staff positions to work with an increasing number of families, but until we can increase our income and solve our cash flow problem we are forced to maintain an intake freeze. For Hope Alive - as is typical with nonprofit organizations - half of our charitable gifts are received the last 3 months of the year during the holiday season. We're working hard to correct this by raising an additional $55,000 by June!

This decision is painful in light of the phone calls from homeless families we continue to receive. We just want to ignore our reality and take them in anyway, but this isn't fair to all the families who already call Hope Alive home. Above all, we don't want to jeopardize the core services they already receive that are so effective in moving them forward to health, wholeness, and stable permanent housing.

Please help us spread the word and join us in our efforts to serve as many homeless families as possible in 2010. One fun way you can help is to attend our upcoming Visions for Hope event on Thursday, April 29. This is a silent auction of children's artwork - including our own Hope Alive kids - to support our children's programs for our youngest residents.

Check out our website at http://www.hopealiveministries.org/ or call us at 301.241.4005 for more information. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers. Until next week ...

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director

Graduation celebration

2010-03-06T18:15:00.003-05:00

Today, we celebrated a major milestone with a family’s graduation from Hope Alive’s residential phase. In January – after a year and a half – this young mother and her preschooler moved back to the community to live on their own for the very first time!

During our celebration today, it was wonderful to hear the funny stories shared by our resident families, staff and volunteers and the heartwarming ways this family impacted so many lives. It was inspiring as we recalled and applauded her for all the wonderful accomplishments she has achieved – college courses, completion of a substance abuse program, debt resolution, compliance with all legal issues, working two part-time jobs, success as a parent as well as all the developmental milestones her daughter reached. But the biggest changes we celebrated are those that occurred in her heart. She came to Hope Alive over 18 months ago with poor self esteem, distrust, and an “I can’t do it” attitude. Now she is supporting herself and her daughter with self confidence, high motivation, and commitment to success. She has opened her heart and found healing and learned that she can trust others. She admitted that even though she still doesn’t receive the praise she wants from her family, she knows she always has an extended family that is there for her and her daughter with encouragement and unconditionally love.

This is what the Hope Alive mission is all about … embracing homeless women and their children with God’s life-changing love and empowering them with Christian values, dignity and the skills they need to live self-sustaining lives filled with hope and a future.

What a privilege to be a part of the Hope Alive family and to watch what God can do in each heart and life! Until next week …

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director

What a week!

2010-02-26T15:54:00.002-05:00

What a week it has been! In addition to the busy schedules our families keep, we had some significant news and events here at Hope Alive.

To start the week off, one of our resident moms announced that her name was at the top of the City of Frederick subsidized housing list. She struggled with the decision she needed to make – whether to take the housing opportunity at a very affordable rent or to remain at Hope Alive to accomplish her remaining goals to ensure her future success. After feedback from the staff and weighing the pros and cons, she made the wise and difficult decision to postpone her graduation from the Hope Alive program and decline the housing opportunity she knew she wasn’t ready for. She’s accomplished so much in her six month residency at Hope Alive, but has more goals she wants to achieve!

On Wednesday morning, one of our two-year olds jumped off the bed and hit his head on the bed frame leaving an inch-long cut. His mom rushed him off to the emergency room while other mothers got her two older children breakfast and off to school. This little one braved the ER procedures to receive 3 stitches on the back of his head. I think his mother was more upset than he was!

Later that same day, one of our 8 year-olds asked if the staff could pray for her friend’s mother as she was facing surgery the next day. This young child had already asked the other moms in the house to pray for her friend’s mom too. It’s wonderful to see such a tender young heart interceding for the needs of others.

On Thursday morning, one of our resident moms called from the Frederick County court house to announce the judge is scheduling her for graduation from the drug court program and asked if she would provide her testimony to the court next month about how her life has changed. She’s ecstatic – and rightly so – that she has successfully completed four years in drug court and is now able to publicly celebrate her sobriety and life change!

And last night the emergency room had a second visit this week from Hope Alive residents. One of our moms went to the hospital late last night with an acute and extremely painful medical emergency. She was treated, released, and returned to Hope Alive about midnight thanks to the committed and attentive moms and staff caring for her.

And to end the week, one of our resident moms gave me a copy of a thank you note she wrote to a local foundation that provided a college scholarship for her full tuition this semester. In her letter expressing her gratitude for their generosity, she wrote “I hope to achieve many different goals, one being receiving my R.N. and two becoming a productive member of society.” She shared with the donors that she wants to show her children that “they can do anything that they want to in life.”

What a week. We have much to celebrate and much to be thankful for - for achievements, for successes, for sobriety, for healing, for tender hearts, and as always for God’s divine provision! Until next week …

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director

The big dig

2010-02-13T18:13:00.005-05:00

If you’re like me, you’ve probably had enough snow this winter. What we’re left with after this second blizzard – as Fox 5 news is calling it – is The Big Dig. In an attempt to change my attitude about this latest storm, I started to think about the positives … my family and our Hope Alive families are all safe, we didn’t lose power, and we stayed warm and had plenty of food on hand.

As I thought about what else God wanted me to learn from this experience, He showed me that our resident families’ lives are similar to these snow storms. Like the blizzard conditions we saw on Wednesday, our families come to Hope Alive overwhelmed and barely able to survive their day to day struggles. Much like the mounting snow, they feel trapped, desperate and hopeless. With The Big Dig that’s required after the storm, resident families regain stability in their lives as each mom and child bravely addresses their complex issues and plows forward toward healing and recovery. They begin to believe that the storms they’ve experienced will come to an end and they find freedom from despair and hope once again. Then like the sunshine after the storm that melts the ice and snow, their lives are brighter and the pathway becomes clear with their destination in sight.

I am so proud of our resident moms and children – especially this week. Despite being confined under one roof together for days, our families had an exceptionally peaceful time together. The moms initiated art projects with the children for the upcoming Visions for Hope event in April. They worked in teams to clear the snow from the sidewalks and cars and to care for all the children. And a houseful of children actually got along – imagine that! Today they are all thrilled to get outside and have some fun!

Special thanks to Philip Millison of P&M Transmissions in Sabillasville for plowing the Hope Alive driveway and parking lot from last weekend’s storm and his work the last 3 days to clear the six foot drifts.

Until next week ... stay safe and warm ... and happy digging!

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director

Help for Haiti

2010-02-04T17:15:00.001-05:00

Last night, 13 of our resident moms and children gathered in the dining room to put together hygiene kits for Haiti. One of our volunteers – Miss Dawn – who comes every Wednesday evening purchased all the required items for the kits. The moms and children worked together “assembly-line” fashion filling the Ziploc bags with towels, soap, toothbrushes, band aids, and other basic hygiene supplies. Both moms and children felt so proud that they were able to help others. It was an especially important project as one of our resident moms is originally from Haiti and still has family and friends living there (see my previous blogs).

After the assembly was completed, Miss Dawn put all 40 or so hygiene kits in a pile and gathered everyone around to pray over them. The sweetest prayer was from one of our 8 year-olds who asked God to keep the people safe.

Like everyone else, we’re preparing for the snow storm – stocking up on groceries, filling extra tubs with water in case the power goes out (so we can flush toilets), and having enough activities to keep energetic children busy. (Remember we don’t have TV at Hope Alive!) Keep our families in your thoughts and prayers – several moms and children are recuperating from illnesses and we’re praying they get well and stay well!

Enjoy the snow and stay safe and warm. Until next week …

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director

Great news to share

2010-01-30T12:31:00.005-05:00

I've got great news to share with you this week. Last week I wrote about a resident mom who heard that family members in Haiti were safe, but she was still waiting to hear from others. This week she received more great news that all her family members' lives were spared. Since they all lived in Port au Prince, it's really a miracle that among the estimated 200,000 dead that her family is alive!

A couple of weeks ago, I shared great news with you of a young mother and her child who graduated from our residential program after a year and a half of hard work, dedication, and determination. We've heard from her several times since she moved out and she and her young daughter are doing very well. We'll reunite with them in a week to celebrate her graduation!

Six of our resident mothers started classes at Frederick Community College this week. Three moms received full scholarships! For two moms, their financial aid was in question, but it came through at the last minute and they were able to head off to classes the first day with everyone else.

Also this week, five of our resident children received awards at school. One child received a Character Counts award for respect. Boy, was his mom beaming with pride! This child, his sibling, and three other resident children received attendance awards! One of these children missed 21 days of school in one year before coming to Hope Alive with her mom.

We are so very proud of all their accomplishments and mostly grateful to God for the dramatic changes He brings to each life. In the midst of this great news though, several moms and children have been sick, so keep them in your thoughts and prayers. Until next week ...

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director

God answers prayer

2010-01-18T13:52:00.002-05:00

Our attention this last week - like the entire nation – has been focused on the devastation from the Haitian earthquake. This tragedy hit close to home as one of our resident moms was born in Haiti and has family still living there. Soon after the earthquake, she got word that an aunt in Port au Prince was safe, but no word came about other family and friends. She waited for days trying to remain calm, checking available online websites for updates on survivors, and praying for her unaccounted family members.

The news reports are grim with tens of thousands missing and the dead unidentified and buried in mass unmarked graves. Her hope diminished with each passing day. As we and the country prayed with her, she tried to remain strong placing her trust in the Lord. Then finally last Friday, she was able to make contact – her uncle, aunt and 3 cousins are all fine! She still waits for word from other family members, but her hope is strengthened. Praise the Lord for answered prayers and the lives that have been spared!

Please continue to pray for her as she waits for word from others and processes this devastation to her homeland and the people she loves. Pray her Hope Alive family provides the support she and her children need through this traumatic experience. And pray God brings good out of this tragedy as His word promises and that relief will quickly come to those who are suffering.

Let us remember that we have a God who loves us more than we can ever imagine and hears our prayers. May we place our complete trust in Him and take every care and petition to the throne of grace! Until next week …

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director

Not good-bye but see you later

2010-01-08T09:45:00.003-05:00

When a resident family has been at Hope Alive for a year or more, it’s so hard to say good-bye. The resident moms and children, staff and volunteers become a family and when one moves out – for whatever reason – it leaves a gaping hole and an empty place in our hearts.

This week, we experienced these emotions as a young mother and her 2 year-old graduated from the Hope Alive residential program. She’s excited to be moving out on her own for the very first time while at the same time she struggles with wanting to unpack and move back in where she feels comfortable, loved, and accepted. But we all agree this move is the right step for them.

This young family has accomplished so much in their year and a half at Hope Alive. Mom completed a year of college courses and is ready to start her third semester. She’s maintained long-term employment. She’s managing her money well and has learned the difference between wants and needs. She’s a loving and caring mother. She’s completed her counseling. Her daughter has grown into a happy and social little preschooler who makes us all laugh. And most importantly, mom not only feels loved, but has learned to love and trust others.

As we said our tearful good-byes this week, she said she couldn’t adequately express the difference Hope Alive has made in their lives. She said it’s not about the house or the services they received, but it's about the love and care they've experienced. She left knowing they have a family here and caring hearts that are always available – we are just a phone call (or text message) away. They will continue in our after care phase and receive case management and resources (as needed) for the coming year.

As she reminded us before leaving, it’s not really "good-bye", but “see you later”. We won’t experience their smiles and laughter that brighten our days, but they are always in our hearts, minds, and prayers and she’s already planning their first “visit” to Hope Alive. We couldn't be more proud!

Until next week …

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director

The true meaning of Christmas

2009-12-24T10:56:00.004-05:00

This entire month we’ve experienced an outpouring of love and care from individuals and groups from all over the Frederick County community and beyond. Christmas gifts for the resident families, charitable contributions, gift cards, food, and items from our wish list have been delivered in abundance.

A Hope Alive volunteer delivered Christmas gifts on Tuesday from his family and stayed to play a while with the children throwing snow balls with them to knock the icicles off the roof and giving them piggy back rides. They gave him a big group hug for the fun they enjoyed.

This morning a local pastor dropped off handmade jewelry that was delivered to her doorstep by someone who was unemployed. This individual wanted to offer something to those in need at this time of year and felt the handmade gifts were all he could afford. My heart was so touched when I saw the beautiful beaded bracelets taped to brown paper and tucked inside a Christmas card with the handwritten message, “May the Lord bless you always.”

Also this morning I received an email from a friend who said a local Frederick merchant delivered a $100 check to her for Hope Alive instead of their employees doing Secret Santa gifts. Yesterday she had a visit from the woodcarver who made the bear that stands in front of their store – Dancing Bear Toys in downtown Frederick. He made them a new bear – a dancing one! – free of charge but asked that they auction off their original bear and donate the money to Hope Alive.

These expressions of love – and so many others – beautifully represent the true meaning of Christmas when God poured out His great love for us all through the gift of His Son Jesus.

“For God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him may not die, but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to be its judge, but to be its Savior.” John 3:16

Merry Christmas! Until next week …

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director

Milestones big and small

2009-12-13T21:00:00.004-05:00

Last week was a milestone week at Hope Alive. Our youngest resident - 5 months old - started sitting in a high chair to eat his cereal. He looks like such a big boy! Our next youngest resident - 10 months old - started walking! He took his first step a week ago and by the end of the week he had taken off. He was exceptionally mobile at 8 months old so walking at 10 months was no surprise to his mother, other resident moms, and staff. With his first step in our children's center, everyone came running to celebrate this important milestone in his life. There's no stopping him now!

Also last week, 5 of our resident moms celebrated the successful end to their fall semester at Frederick Community College. One mom was so relieved that her anatomy and physiology class was over (in addition to her other three classes) and she felt pretty confident about her final exam. She's scheduled to graduate with her AA degree in May 2010! Another mom proudly announced that she had passed her final exam in english and finished the semester with an 3.8 grade point average. Another mom is expecting to receive her high school diploma in a few weeks since finishing the course work at the end of November!

As Christmas approaches, don't forget to finish your holiday shopping online through GoodShop.com with a percentage of every online purchase going to support our ministry to homeless women and children - just check Hope Alive as your charity of choice. Check out our December newsletter at www.hopealiveministries.org - you'll enjoy the photos of our resident families and their messages of life-change and hope. As you prepare for the coming of Christmas, be sure to prepare your hearts for the birth of the Christ child - Jesus the Christ who came to give us abundant life and hope! Until next week ...

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director

The healing journey

2009-12-06T12:31:00.002-05:00

Last week I had breakfast with a dear friend who led the development efforts of Hope Alive's program services. She had attended a mental health conference the day before and shared some fascinating information with me. She explained that with individuals suffering from mental illness, there can be a lack of development or blockage in the prefrontal lobe of the brain where the "executive functions" occur such as memory, reasoning, decision-making, and problem solving. This problem can be compounded by substance abuse. Only after a woman has been clean and sober for a year or longer does she begin to deal with the emotional issues that have started to rise to the surface. Through therapy, healing, training, and coaching, the development of the executive function of the brain takes place.

So what does all this mean for Hope Alive? As my friend listened to the conference presenter, she began to see Hope Alive's need to serve as this executive function as a large percentage of homeless women suffer from these issues. It will mean more training in this area for our staff, greater tolerance, patience and grace for slow progress, and even more intense coaching and training for our women as they legitimately need longer to gain the skills and functioning needed to achieve self-sufficiency. As we have over the past 3 years, we continue to dedicate ourselves to developing the most effective residential ministry possible to end the cycle of homelessness for the families we serve.

On a different note, we have been amazed at God's outpouring of support this holiday season ... from generous donors, faithful volunteers, and individuals and organizations holding special fundraising events to benefit Hope Alive as well as "adopting" our families for Christmas. God is faithful and pouring out His abundant blessings to meet the ministry's needs. I pray you had a blessed Thanksgiving and are preparing your hearts to celebrate the birth of the Christ child. Until next week.

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director

Every day life-change

2009-11-20T11:05:00.015-05:00

I am continually amazed at the tremendous life-change God brings to our resident families at Hope Alive every day. This week one of our resident moms couldn't wait to announce she had completed all the work required for her external degree program and she could have her high school diploma in hand by year-end. Now she's enrolling for the spring semester at Frederick Community College and just took her placement tests this week. She couldn't wait to tell EVERYONE she had passed her math and english placement tests and was ready to sign up for her spring classes. As we talked about her success, she shared that this was a dream she never thought she'd achieve.

Also this week, another mom's testimony for our Christmas newsletter provided a strong message about the new life God has granted her and her two children. Her son no longer kicks and fights with his teacher, but she received the best report ever on his changed behavior when she went for her parent/teacher conference. Her daughter is getting As and Bs instead of blank papers marked with an F. Check out the Christmas issue online in early December at hopealiveministries.org - you don't want to miss this family's amazing story.

In this Thanksgiving season - and every day - we are especially grateful to God for all He has done and continues to do in the life of this ministry and every family we serve. Thanks for your love and support as we work together to serve families in need.

On a different note ... we have something new and exciting we'd like to share with you just in time for the shopping season! It's the new Hope Alive toolbar - once added to IE or Foxfire, each time you shop at more than 1,300 stores (Amazon to Zazzle!) a percentage of your purchase will automatically be donated to Hope Alive - at no cost to you (and you may even save money as the toolbar provides hundreds of great coupons and deals!). The toolbar also has a search box and each time you search the Internet, about a penny is donated to Hope Alive. http://www.goodsearch.com/toolbar/hope-alive. I just purchased my grandson's birthday gift this way and I feel great knowing that I got him exactly what he wanted AND a percentage was going to benefit Hope Alive families. Please pass this along to all of your friends. The two minutes it takes to add this toolbar to your browser can make a difference of a lifetime! Until next week ...

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director

From death to life

2009-11-06T09:59:00.004-05:00

Yesterday was a very proud day for us at Hope Alive. One of our resident moms graduated from an intensive outpatient program at a local drug rehabilitation clinic. Five of us proudly watched and cheered as this mom shared her journey from addiction to recovery and was presented with her certificate of completion and words of affirmation from her counselors. As I sat and listened to her recount her story, God reminded me that just a few short months ago, her life hung in the balance between life and death. I remember visiting her in the hospital after a life-threatening relapse and then rejoicing when she called us for help when she “hit the bottom” and desperately wanted to find her way out. The alternatives for her and her children at that time were life-threatening, so we welcomed her to Hope Alive with open arms, lots of love and strict accountability.

She spent the next three months participating in the intensive outpatient treatment program and a family support program, in addition to working toward enrollment at Frederick Community College for the spring semester. She has become an advocate and friend to other women in recovery and a role model for women at Hope Alive with her determination and motivation.

We are so proud of her accomplishments and the victory God has blessed her with in the battle of addiction. She and her children today are healthy, very happy and are well on the road to success and hope of a future. It’s been marvelous to watch God at work in their lives and to see what He can do through the power of His life-changing love. Until next week …

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director

Up close and personal

2009-10-30T14:42:00.003-04:00

Anyone else depressed by the dreary rainy weather we’ve had lately? It doesn’t make my already overwhelmed week any better. Our “bare bones” staff from budget reductions this year is stretched even tighter these days with an added vacancy in our children’s ministry. So I’ve been spending some time with “Abba’s Angels” - our youngest residents – along with grant deadlines, transportation challenges, and even water problems in the house due to us operating at capacity. This all sounds pretty depressing doesn’t it – especially for a Friday – but in my introduction to my blog I said I’d be giving you “an up close and personal look into our ministry to homeless families”. This is the other side of the ministry we don’t often talk about. It’s through these tough times that our character is tested and grows. I keep reminding myself that God uses the challenges to make us more like His Son!

We are searching for a temporary full- or part-time Children’s Ministry Director who is “director qualified” based on Office of Child Care licensing regulations. If you know someone who might feel called to join our ministry team and serve our little ones, please send them our way.

Let’s pray for the sun to come out – and stay out. The fall leaves ARE gorgeous even in the rain! Have a blessed weekend. Until next week …

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director

Precious lives

2009-10-16T14:42:00.002-04:00

Picture if you will, a 4 month old infant with delicate fair skin, a few wisps of blond hair and the typical bald spot on the back of the head, delicate little fingers and toes, and a captivating smile and laugh.

It’s this precious little baby that I had the pleasure of rocking to sleep this morning. As he lay in my arms I looked down at his innocent face and thought about his life. Even though he’s technically “homeless”, this baby is surrounded by a very large extended family that loves and cares for him. In addition to his own mom and sister, he has 13 other siblings, 8 other moms, and staff and volunteers who can’t resist loving on him every day. He has a warm and safe home and a nurturing child care center that provides the care he needs to grow and develop into a healthy and happy toddler while his sister is at school and his mom is working on her goals leading to self sufficiency.

Is this child aware of the struggles his mom and sister have faced or the great success they have both experienced while at Hope Alive? Does he sense the same hope they have of a new future much different from their past? I doubt he’s aware of anything other than his own needs – clean diapers, food, warmth and comfort. At one point far into the future, he will be grateful that Hope Alive was there for his family and that he’ll never have to experience homelessness as an adult.

Most of us probably take life’s blessings for granted. May we never forget about the moms and children who are struggling to survive in our community and the precious lives we serve at Hope Alive who are committed to change and new life. Until next week …

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director

Touching hearts - the work of the ministry

2009-10-08T15:41:00.003-04:00

Last night was my evening shift at Hope Alive. It’s usually a bit chaotic through the dinner hour and then things settle down pretty quickly as moms and children disperse to their areas to complete homework, baths, and bedtime. My hope each Wednesday evening is to get a little work done after things quiet down, but last night was just the opposite.

I had children who kept coming to the office asking for my help with homework. The first was a fourth grader who needed someone to play a math game with her - flipping coins to count the number of times heads or tails appeared and then making a statement about her data. After that assignment, we continued with her multiplication problems. While I was helping her, a third grader came in asking if she could read her story to me that she wrote – and typed on the computer –about animal friends who learned the importance of kindness. The story was really creative! As she was leaving, a second grader came in asking for help charting the moon’s appearance for the month starting with last night. With it being a blustery cold evening and him already dressed in his pajamas, I sent him off looking out every window in the house to see if he could spot the moon. He came back to report it was cloudy.

By this time I was feeling pretty frustrated that this was taking the place of “getting some work done”. But then God reminded me that this is the work of the ministry - touching the hearts and souls of those we serve. Realizing this I set everything else aside and finished the evening by having some deep discussions with our moms in the dining room - including next step housing options, relationships and conflicts - and giving hugs to the little ones going off to bed. There’s always tomorrow for that unfinished “task”.

If you’ve never been to Hope Alive, give me a call sometime. I’d love to have you come for a visit and tour. Until next week …

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director

Words of encouragement to brighten our day

2009-10-02T17:17:00.003-04:00

Some weeks we find our lives filled with challenges and we wonder if we’ll ever get to Friday. It’s been a week like that at Hope Alive. With 15 children in the Hope Alive house now, our children often fight like brothers and sisters. And when the kids aren’t happy – nobody’s happy!

Today I was reminded of an exercise Ashley Ross, our Children’s Ministry Assistant, did with the school-age children to help change their attitudes. She had them write notes of encouragement and affirmation to each other. I saw one of those notes today hanging in a second grader’s locker in the after school program. It meant so much to this little boy that he taped it up on the inside. Four other children wrote the following messages about him … “You have a wonderful smile! I have seen you share and give to others.” “You are my bestest friend.” “You are a great brother.” “You are a great kid. I really like having you as a friend.”

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we all shared encouraging and loving words like these with each other? I think the world would be a much better place. Seeing this note today just brightened my whole week. I hope it does for you as well.

Plan to join us for our upcoming Resident Achievement Banquet on Tuesday, October 20 at 6pm at Dutch’s Daughter’s Restaurant. It promises to be an inspiring evening of encouraging and loving affirmations of our resident families. Check out our new website for more information at www.hopealiveministries.org. Until next week …

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director

High 5's for this one!

2009-09-24T13:24:00.002-04:00

While at Hope Alive, our resident women address a variety of issues that are at the root of their homelessness. Effective financial management and debt resolution is a major area every woman has to tackle. Hope Alive is blessed with two wonderful volunteers, Dave and Cindy, who have created an effective financial education curriculum to meet their needs. They meet one-on-one with moms each week – meeting with all nine women over a five-week period.

One young mother in particular has made tremendous achievements in this area from identifying her wants and needs, developing and managing a monthly budget, resolving debt, maintaining a positive checking account balance, and even saving money. One outstanding debt was with a local department store for which she was trying for months to develop a payment plan to resolve her $390 debt. Rather than working with her on a payment plan, the store demanded full payment and continued to hassle her with constant calls.

Yesterday morning the department store called again and this mom applied the information she learned from our staff and volunteers Dave and Cindy. She calmly spoke to the employee and requested to speak to her supervisor when they refused one more time to work with her. Along the way she took notes, recorded names and stated what she could and couldn’t do – all from a woman without a high school diploma who is motivated to change! She is accepting full responsibility for her debt, too. Praise the Lord! When our staff emailed Dave and Cindy with the good news, they replied, “you’re right, we would be smacking ‘high 5's’ for this one!”

The resident women we serve are some of the strongest and most courageous women I know with their determination to overcome their barriers to independence and success. What a privilege to walk with them on their journeys to wholeness, self-sufficiency and hope! Until next week …

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director

Change from the inside out

2009-09-18T13:46:00.003-04:00

Early this week, some of our resident women cornered me to complain about their hectic schedules and busy lives with classes, homework, work, counseling, cooking, and the needs of their children. They just wanted to find a little time for themselves and a chance to get away from it all. Selfishly, I brushed it off thinking they aren’t any busier than I am - working full-time, speaking engagements, being wife, mother, grandmother, household projects, gardening, etc.

As I thought about this the following days, God showed me I was wrong to feel this way. Their schedules aren’t much different than most of ours, until you consider what’s going on in the inside with the struggles and life-change that happens in their hearts and minds. Besides the meaningful goal-directed activities that fill their days, they live with 8 other families in the Hope Alive community (now that every bed is full), they need to replace old ways of thinking with new, reframe their beliefs and values, learn new skills, heal from past trauma, embrace hope, and dream about what’s possible for their futures. It’s a total life-transformation from the inside out!

One young mother once told me the only life she knew was family chaos and hanging out at the local bar. Until she came to Hope Alive, she didn’t know life was about education, healthy living, working toward a career and productive life for herself and her children.

I hope you can join us at our upcoming Resident Achievement Banquet on October 20 at Dutch’s Daughters Restaurant to hear our resident families’ inspiring stories and how wonderfully God has blessed their lives. Visit our website at www.hopealiveministries.org for the details or call us at 301-241-4005 for more information. Until next week …

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director

God's ever-abiding presence

2009-09-11T13:11:00.004-04:00

Today is a day of remembrance of the thousands of lives lost on 9/11 from the devastating tragedy that changed our country forever. May this day serve as a reminder of God’s ever-abiding presence through each crisis we face and the blessing of life and loved ones.

This week at Hope Alive we experienced a crisis of our own – in no way meant to compare to 911 – but still one that shook our lives. This past Monday, a new family moved in to Hope Alive having lost their home through a traumatic situation. Two days later, one of the 7 year-old twins fell off the monkey bars on our playground severely injuring her arm. Head trauma was also suspected by the paramedics so they med-evaced the child and her mom to Hershey Medical Center. What a brave little girl – in severe pain, surrounded by so many EMTs, immobilized by a neck brace and body board, and transported on a stretcher by ambulance and helicopter. At Hershey, they treated her for a broken arm and severe dislocation and thankfully no head trauma. She and mom stayed overnight and returned to Hope Alive the following day.

Needing to be with her daughter, the mom was forced to leave the other twin behind at Hope Alive in the care of other resident moms. This little girl felt very alone and apprehensive about being in a new home, having started in a new school the day before, left with near strangers, and missing her mom and sister. I was inspired to see how warmly the other moms embraced, cared for, and comforted this precious 7 year old. She asked us all to pray with her before she fell asleep.

On their return from Hershey, the mom shared with Jody our Family Ministry Specialist that she recognizes God’s presence in their lives through the crises, His bringing them to Hope Alive and directing them on a new path in life. Please pray for the child as she recuperates from her injury – she’ll need to return to Hershey Medical Center four times for follow up care (and still potential surgery) in the next month. Pray for this family as they continue to adjust to their new school, home and Hope Alive family who have welcomed them with love and acceptance.

Every bed is full at Hope Alive. We now have 9 families plus the family living in after-care for a total of 10 moms and 17 children!

Until next week ...

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director

Our beauty-full children!

2009-08-14T12:33:00.007-04:00

Our resident children amaze me! This week’s theme for our Abba’s Angels program (infant through preschool) is “Beauty”. The children had their nails painted, special dress up including fancy hats, and a real tea party complete with china cups and saucers. Even the boys loved it. When asked what “beauty” means, they replied – almost in unison – “What’s inside makes me shine!”

Last week our King’s Kids (school-agers) attended a Vacation Bible School at Harmony Lutheran Church in Myersville. One of our 5 year-olds was excited to share her favorite Bible story of the week – Jesus feeding the 5,000 with two fish and five loaves of “garlic bread”. What imaginations! They enjoyed water fun in the front yard this morning and are wrapping up their study this week of the grasslands.

We had a surprise inspection of our two licensed children's programs this morning by the Office of Child Care (MD Dept. of Education) and we passed with flying colors!

Our Children’s Ministry is all about loving, embracing, and nurturing the beauty in each child and giving them (and their families) the opportunity to grow and develop to their full God-given potential. Until next week …

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director

This week at Hope Alive

2009-08-06T10:00:00.000-04:00

There are so many things to report this week. One of our moms just received word this week that she was chosen to receive an Ausherman Family Foundation FCC Scholarship for full funding. Our moms are learning valuable conflict resolution skills and are initiating reconciliation on their own – something the world needs to learn!

All of our moms who are being coached by our budget buddies, Dave and Cindy Hostetter, are taking significant steps to manage their personal finances in a much more positive way. Most of them deal with bad spending habits and they are finally recognizing the difference between their needs and wants. The budget buddies are doing one-on-one curriculum (including homework) and coaching through monthly meetings with each mom.

Another mom was accepted in the “Rise Program” at the Department of Social Services – recognized for her potential for success. This provides full funding of her education and the time to devote to her studies.

Also, it’s been a joy these past couple of weeks to hear the children praying during our morning prayer time. They volunteer to be the “pray-ers”.

I experienced a heart warming moment this afternoon. I was in Jody’s office and one of the school-age boys signed through her window, “I love you!”

Abba’s Angels (infants and preschoolers) had a great field trip to Splash Park in Germantown and the King’s Kids went to Port Discovery in Baltimore last week. When I asked one school-ager what he liked most about Port Discovery, he said, “EVERYTHING”! Until next week …

Sue Oehmig
Executive Director

Welcome to our blog

2009-08-04T14:13:00.006-04:00

At Hope Alive we receive calls every day from homeless families who desperately need our help. Unfortunately, we can only meet a fraction of the need – but, for those who call Hope Alive “home,” their lives are changed in remarkable ways. It’s their stories of transformation that I want to share with you in this blog, giving you an up close and personal look into our ministry to homeless families and raising awareness about this critical issue right here in our own backyard.