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 homeless. Show all posts
Showing posts with label homeless. Show all posts
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Reflections on Thanksgiving
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
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
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Through God's miraculous provision
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
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
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
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Benefit Concert - A Group Called Seneca
Join us Friday, September 9th at Monocacy Valley Church for a special evening to benefit Hope Alive featuring WAMA nominated contemporary gospel artists A Group Called Seneca. The celebration begins at 7:15 with music by Monocacy’s own, Seven Days Running, followed by A Group Called Seneca at 7:30pm! All proceeds to benefit Hope Alive. Come out for an evening of inspirational music and learn about family homelessness and the ministry of Hope Alive. A free-will offering will be taken.
Monocacy Valley Church is located at 9861 Old National Pike, New Market, MD.
You don’t want to miss this!
Also, join us for Rock the Need – Saturday, September 17, 2-8pm - at Westview Promenade for a charity concert and fashion show benefitting Hope Alive, The Religious Coalition for Emergency Human Needs, and Goodwill. Concert features Living Water, Frederick Rock School, and The Freddy Long Band from 2-8pm with the Fashion Show at 6:30pm. Hope to see you there!
Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director
Monocacy Valley Church is located at 9861 Old National Pike, New Market, MD.
You don’t want to miss this!
Also, join us for Rock the Need – Saturday, September 17, 2-8pm - at Westview Promenade for a charity concert and fashion show benefitting Hope Alive, The Religious Coalition for Emergency Human Needs, and Goodwill. Concert features Living Water, Frederick Rock School, and The Freddy Long Band from 2-8pm with the Fashion Show at 6:30pm. Hope to see you there!
Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Important upcoming events
It’s hard to believe we only have a few more weeks until school starts! Our children are fully engaged in summer vacation and certainly don’t want to hear it’s coming to a close.
The good news this month is that Hope Alive celebrates its nine year anniversary since we were officially formed! It’s amazing to look back over the past nine years and see all that God has done to make His ministry a reality. God has abundantly blessed, guided, and sustained us during these years and through some very challenging times.
We are especially encouraged this year as our resident women are some of the most motivated we’ve ever served. Each one is dedicated to needed life-change that leads to self-sufficiency in areas such as education and vocational training, effective money management, savings, and debt resolution, addressing various health issues, improving parenting skills, strengthening their families, and growing in their faith.
To help us continue serving homeless families, we have several important upcoming events this fall. Mark your calendars and plan to join us for …
A Benefit Concert, Friday, September 9, 7:30pm, at Monocacy Valley Church: Featuring gospel artists AGCS – A Group Called Seneca. Sue Walsh and her band Seven Days Running will also perform. Come out for an evening of inspirational music and learn more about family homelessness and the ministry of Hope Alive. A free-will offering will be taken.
Fourth Annual Resident Achievement Banquet: Thursday, October 13, 6:00pm, Dutch’s Daughter, celebrating the inspirational progress of our residents. Check out our website for more information and registration or call 301.241.4005.
Help the Homeless Mini-Walks: As a new beneficiary of Fannie Mae’s Help the Homeless Program,Hope Alive has a unique opportunity to raise substantial funds to serve homeless families in our community. We need your help! Now through November 6 you can join a scheduled Mini-Walk in our community or host one yourself to benefit Hope Alive. Check out our website or call for a brochure and information.
Help us spread the word! Until next week …
Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director
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
Thursday, July 28, 2011
God speaks through children
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
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
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Walk this way
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
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
Friday, July 8, 2011
Loving encouragement from God
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
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
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Experiencing success
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
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
Thursday, June 2, 2011
48 Hours to Meet the Need
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
“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
Thursday, May 19, 2011
A Hope Alive milestone
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
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
Thursday, May 5, 2011
National Day of Prayer
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
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
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Peace in the midst of the storm
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
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
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Rekindling the vision
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
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
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Join us for visions
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
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
Friday, March 25, 2011
Looking for that special someone
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 ...Friday, March 18, 2011
News from the state
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:
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
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Tough week
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
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
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Speechless
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.
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
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