Join us Friday, September 9th at Monocacy Valley Church for a special evening to benefit Hope Alive featuring WAMA nominated contemporary gospel artists A Group Called Seneca. The celebration begins at 7:15 with music by Monocacy’s own, Seven Days Running, followed by A Group Called Seneca at 7:30pm! All proceeds to benefit Hope Alive. Come out for an evening of inspirational music and learn about family homelessness and the ministry of Hope Alive. A free-will offering will be taken.
Monocacy Valley Church is located at 9861 Old National Pike, New Market, MD.
You don’t want to miss this!
Also, join us for Rock the Need – Saturday, September 17, 2-8pm - at Westview Promenade for a charity concert and fashion show benefitting Hope Alive, The Religious Coalition for Emergency Human Needs, and Goodwill. Concert features Living Water, Frederick Rock School, and The Freddy Long Band from 2-8pm with the Fashion Show at 6:30pm. Hope to see you there!
Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Thursday, August 18, 2011
The little fawn
Yesterday afternoon I was returning to Hope Alive after picking up some lunch in Thurmont. (Not a usual occurrence since it means a trip down the mountain.) As I headed up the driveway, a fawn came darting across and ran through the front yard. I watched her go over the hill toward the Joshua Center. As I rounded the corner of the house I spotted her at the playground fence trying to figure out which way to go. When she saw me she turned and took off over the hill disappearing into the safety of the tall field grass.
This reminded me of our youngest residents that often come to us frightened by their housing instability and the uncertainty in their lives. Like the little fawn, they don’t know which way to turn and where safety lies. And like the fawn, they stay close to mom until they feel safe to run. Once our children feel secure, healing begins, they gain confidence and even make remarkable physical growth! I didn’t realize how much growth until I saw the growth chart in Abba’s Angels marking inches in new height within a couple of months for nearly every child!
Before we know it that little fawn will be an adult and before we know it our children will grow into the amazing men and women God designed them to be! What a joy to watch them change and experience new hope!
Here in this beautiful setting, God often uses nature to reveal His presence and encourage us in the work He has called us to do.
One more reminder about our upcoming fall events …
A Benefit Concert - Friday, September 9, 7:30pm - Featuring gospel artists AGCS – A Group Called Seneca and Seven Days Running at Monocacy Valley Church, 9861 Old National Pike, New Market, MD.
Rock the Need – Saturday, September 17, 2-8pm – A charity concert and fashion show at Westview Promenade benefitting Hope Alive and other local charities.
Fourth Annual Resident Achievement Banquet - Thursday, October 13, 6:00pm, at Dutch’s Daughter to celebrate the inspirational progress of our residents.
Help the Homeless Mini-Walks: Maze-a-thon at Crumland Farms - Saturday, October 29, 10am-3pm and Hope Alive Mini Walk – Sunday, October 16, 1-4pm (raindate October 23).
Help us spread the word! Until next week …
Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director
This reminded me of our youngest residents that often come to us frightened by their housing instability and the uncertainty in their lives. Like the little fawn, they don’t know which way to turn and where safety lies. And like the fawn, they stay close to mom until they feel safe to run. Once our children feel secure, healing begins, they gain confidence and even make remarkable physical growth! I didn’t realize how much growth until I saw the growth chart in Abba’s Angels marking inches in new height within a couple of months for nearly every child!
Before we know it that little fawn will be an adult and before we know it our children will grow into the amazing men and women God designed them to be! What a joy to watch them change and experience new hope!
Here in this beautiful setting, God often uses nature to reveal His presence and encourage us in the work He has called us to do.
One more reminder about our upcoming fall events …
A Benefit Concert - Friday, September 9, 7:30pm - Featuring gospel artists AGCS – A Group Called Seneca and Seven Days Running at Monocacy Valley Church, 9861 Old National Pike, New Market, MD.
Rock the Need – Saturday, September 17, 2-8pm – A charity concert and fashion show at Westview Promenade benefitting Hope Alive and other local charities.
Fourth Annual Resident Achievement Banquet - Thursday, October 13, 6:00pm, at Dutch’s Daughter to celebrate the inspirational progress of our residents.
Help the Homeless Mini-Walks: Maze-a-thon at Crumland Farms - Saturday, October 29, 10am-3pm and Hope Alive Mini Walk – Sunday, October 16, 1-4pm (raindate October 23).
Help us spread the word! Until next week …
Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director
Thursday, August 11, 2011
The last of summer fun
This week, our children had one of the most amazing field trips ever! They left Hope Alive Wednesday morning at 6:45am for a pirate adventure in Annapolis! After boarding the pirate ship, their faces were painted and they dressed up in pirate garb. They were given pirate nicknames like Jolly Jaelyn, Dangerous Dan, and Jump Ship James and learned some pirate language like “Argh” for “no” and “Aye Aye” for “yes”. Loud voices were encouraged along with a foot stomp so everyone knew they meant business.
On their cruise in the harbor, they retrieved a sunken treasure chest. They blasted water cannons while a pirate staff walked the plank. They learned about navigation and teamwork and had some plain ole good fun!
They stopped for lunch on the trip home and every child slept all the way back. God answered our prayers for safe travel, an enjoyable time, and for all the children to get along. One major answer to prayer was that our car sick child did not get sick! Everyone – including our amazing children's staff Ashley and Liz and volunteer and prayer warrior Pam Geisbert – had a blast!!
We are grateful to PNC Bank for sponsoring this educational field trip and for their partnership that supports our child development programs. The children will wrap up the summer with three field trips next week (Princess Party for the girls courtesy of The Temple – a Paul Mitchell Partner School, a trip to Adventure Park for the boys, visit to the police station and fire company) and their talent showcase the last day of summer vacation.
As we end our summer programs, we’re busy planning for our fall events. Plan to join us and support Hope Alive’s ministry to homeless women and their children:
A Benefit Concert - Friday, September 9, 7:30pm - Featuring gospel artists AGCS – A Group Called Seneca - and Seven Days Running at Monocacy Valley Church, 9861 Old National Pike, New Market, MD.
Fourth Annual Resident Achievement Banquet - Thursday, October 13, 6:00pm, at Dutch’s Daughter to celebrate the inspirational progress of our residents.
Help the Homeless Mini-Walks: Maze-a-thon at Crumland Farms - Saturday, October 29, 10am-3pm and Hope Alive Mini Walk – Sunday, October 16, 1-4pm (raindate October 23).
Visit our website for more information and help us spread the word! Until next week …
Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director
On their cruise in the harbor, they retrieved a sunken treasure chest. They blasted water cannons while a pirate staff walked the plank. They learned about navigation and teamwork and had some plain ole good fun!
They stopped for lunch on the trip home and every child slept all the way back. God answered our prayers for safe travel, an enjoyable time, and for all the children to get along. One major answer to prayer was that our car sick child did not get sick! Everyone – including our amazing children's staff Ashley and Liz and volunteer and prayer warrior Pam Geisbert – had a blast!!
We are grateful to PNC Bank for sponsoring this educational field trip and for their partnership that supports our child development programs. The children will wrap up the summer with three field trips next week (Princess Party for the girls courtesy of The Temple – a Paul Mitchell Partner School, a trip to Adventure Park for the boys, visit to the police station and fire company) and their talent showcase the last day of summer vacation.
As we end our summer programs, we’re busy planning for our fall events. Plan to join us and support Hope Alive’s ministry to homeless women and their children:
A Benefit Concert - Friday, September 9, 7:30pm - Featuring gospel artists AGCS – A Group Called Seneca - and Seven Days Running at Monocacy Valley Church, 9861 Old National Pike, New Market, MD.
Fourth Annual Resident Achievement Banquet - Thursday, October 13, 6:00pm, at Dutch’s Daughter to celebrate the inspirational progress of our residents.
Help the Homeless Mini-Walks: Maze-a-thon at Crumland Farms - Saturday, October 29, 10am-3pm and Hope Alive Mini Walk – Sunday, October 16, 1-4pm (raindate October 23).
Visit our website for more information and help us spread the word! Until next week …
Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Important upcoming events
It’s hard to believe we only have a few more weeks until school starts! Our children are fully engaged in summer vacation and certainly don’t want to hear it’s coming to a close.
The good news this month is that Hope Alive celebrates its nine year anniversary since we were officially formed! It’s amazing to look back over the past nine years and see all that God has done to make His ministry a reality. God has abundantly blessed, guided, and sustained us during these years and through some very challenging times.
We are especially encouraged this year as our resident women are some of the most motivated we’ve ever served. Each one is dedicated to needed life-change that leads to self-sufficiency in areas such as education and vocational training, effective money management, savings, and debt resolution, addressing various health issues, improving parenting skills, strengthening their families, and growing in their faith.
To help us continue serving homeless families, we have several important upcoming events this fall. Mark your calendars and plan to join us for …
A Benefit Concert, Friday, September 9, 7:30pm, at Monocacy Valley Church: Featuring gospel artists AGCS – A Group Called Seneca. Sue Walsh and her band Seven Days Running will also perform. Come out for an evening of inspirational music and learn more about family homelessness and the ministry of Hope Alive. A free-will offering will be taken.
Fourth Annual Resident Achievement Banquet: Thursday, October 13, 6:00pm, Dutch’s Daughter, celebrating the inspirational progress of our residents. Check out our website for more information and registration or call 301.241.4005.
Help the Homeless Mini-Walks: As a new beneficiary of Fannie Mae’s Help the Homeless Program,Hope Alive has a unique opportunity to raise substantial funds to serve homeless families in our community. We need your help! Now through November 6 you can join a scheduled Mini-Walk in our community or host one yourself to benefit Hope Alive. Check out our website or call for a brochure and information.
Help us spread the word! Until next week …
Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director
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
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Lifesaving measures
Before Hope Alive ever opened its doors to homeless families, our staff and volunteers worked diligently to develop and implement a high standard of excellence in the delivery of our program services. We researched, wrote and amended what seemed like volumes of policies and procedures and created the needed forms and tools to support that level of operation. Through the process – and continuing today – we view everything through risk management lenses. All the effort to minimize risk to the greater level possible has paid off and even saved lives.
Part of our required staff training includes annual American Red Cross CPR and first aid certification. Our staff is trained during the year at different intervals depending on the employee’s start date. Our last training was held in April and three of our resident moms participated and became fully certified in CPR and first aid. Among this class was one of our newest staff members in our children’s ministry – Liz Meisner. What she didn’t know then was that she would be putting these skills into practice in a few short months.
In the children’s center this week, Miss Liz saw an infant making a noise that she thought was her usual baby talk. But as she listened more closely, she realized the baby was choking. Without a second thought, her life-saving skills went into action. She placed the baby head down on her forearm and gave her five back blows (appropriate for an infant) and then turned her halfway over to see if what she was choking on had been dislodged. Noticing that the baby’s hair beret was missing Miss Liz quickly ran her finger inside the baby’s mouth and felt the beret and pulled it out. Amazing!
Surprisingly, this isn't the first lifesaving measure we’ve experienced at Hope Alive. The first year we opened, another children’s ministry staff came to the rescue of a teen who was choking on a potato chip at lunch. Her CPR skills automatically kicked in as she ran to his side. She administered the appropriate back blows and abdominal thrusts and the chip came flying out! He was shaken, but grateful for her quick response.
I am so proud of the awesome staff God has assembled! I’m amazed at the wonderful children’s ministry team that is so attentive to our children’s every need and loves and cares for them as their own. And I’m grateful to Operations Supervisor Missy Miller for her diligence in keeping our staff training up-to-date on these lifesaving measures.
Enjoy the beautiful weather that’s forecasted for the weekend and stay safe! Until next week …
Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director
Part of our required staff training includes annual American Red Cross CPR and first aid certification. Our staff is trained during the year at different intervals depending on the employee’s start date. Our last training was held in April and three of our resident moms participated and became fully certified in CPR and first aid. Among this class was one of our newest staff members in our children’s ministry – Liz Meisner. What she didn’t know then was that she would be putting these skills into practice in a few short months.
In the children’s center this week, Miss Liz saw an infant making a noise that she thought was her usual baby talk. But as she listened more closely, she realized the baby was choking. Without a second thought, her life-saving skills went into action. She placed the baby head down on her forearm and gave her five back blows (appropriate for an infant) and then turned her halfway over to see if what she was choking on had been dislodged. Noticing that the baby’s hair beret was missing Miss Liz quickly ran her finger inside the baby’s mouth and felt the beret and pulled it out. Amazing!
Surprisingly, this isn't the first lifesaving measure we’ve experienced at Hope Alive. The first year we opened, another children’s ministry staff came to the rescue of a teen who was choking on a potato chip at lunch. Her CPR skills automatically kicked in as she ran to his side. She administered the appropriate back blows and abdominal thrusts and the chip came flying out! He was shaken, but grateful for her quick response.
I am so proud of the awesome staff God has assembled! I’m amazed at the wonderful children’s ministry team that is so attentive to our children’s every need and loves and cares for them as their own. And I’m grateful to Operations Supervisor Missy Miller for her diligence in keeping our staff training up-to-date on these lifesaving measures.
Enjoy the beautiful weather that’s forecasted for the weekend and stay safe! Until next week …
Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director
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