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
Showing posts with label achievements. Show all posts
Showing posts with label achievements. Show all posts
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Needs of homeless children
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
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
Friday, February 18, 2011
This week's highlights
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
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
Friday, October 22, 2010
God appointed reunions
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
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
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Highlights of the week
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
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
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Offering hope to the hopeless
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
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
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Graduation celebrations
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
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
Friday, July 30, 2010
Achieving our mission
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
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
Friday, June 18, 2010
Hope and a future
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
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
Friday, May 14, 2010
Pomp and Circumstance
Da ... Da Da Da Da ... Da ... In case you didn't recognize that tune, it's Pomp and Circumstance - a song we're humming a lot these days at Hope Alive.
Next week we're celebrating two major graduations! One resident mom is graduating with her high school diploma from Frederick County Public School's Adult Education Program. Earlier the same day, another resident mom is graduating from Maryland's Drug Court. After much hard work and determination to change the course of their lives, these two very special women have much to celebrate! Other women at Hope Alive - and especially new families to the program - are encouraged by these women's accomplishments and believe their own lives can be different with the same determination.
As I've shared in recent blogs, the needs of homeless families in the community are increasing significantly. January to April of this year was a 36% increase in phone inquiries from homeless families over the same period last year. In the past week, we've heard of three families - including a total of 9 children - living in motels. We rushed one family through our intake process as they were on their last day of motel placement by the Department of Social Services. Their next move would be to the streets. This new mom is starting her GED work next Monday - a dream she thought she'd never fulfill. And with the example of our two graduates, she'll be even more encouraged on her new journey to hope and a future.
More graduations will follow soon with two more families successfully completing Hope Alive's residential program! I thank God for giving us reason to sing!
Until next week ...
Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director
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
Saturday, April 24, 2010
From hopelessness to hope
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
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
Thursday, March 18, 2010
So much to celebrate
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
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
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Graduation celebration
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
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
Friday, February 26, 2010
What a week!
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
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
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Great news to share
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
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
Friday, January 8, 2010
Not good-bye but see you later
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
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
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Milestones big and small
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
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
Sunday, December 6, 2009
The healing journey
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
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
Friday, November 20, 2009
Every day life-change
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
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
Friday, November 6, 2009
From death to life
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
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
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
