All posts by Hearts & Homes for Youth

Sharing the Love with Human Services Programs of Carroll County, Inc.​

In the community

FullSizeRenderWe have received more than enough donations of backpacks and stuffed animals for our youth so this weej, we shared the backpacks from Comfort Cases and stuffed animals from Petco​ with our friends at Human Services Programs of Carroll County, Inc.​

Human Services Programs of Carroll County, Inc. serves over 12,500 clients each year in a variety of programs designed to help people overcome poverty. The backpacks, school supplies, clothing, books, and stuffed animals will be shared with at-risk or low-income children and families in Carroll County.

We are glad to support another organization with our same community values and we are grateful to our friend Michelle J. McLeod​ from Honorary Nieces and Nephews, Inc.​ for helping us deliver the donations!

Alex’s 5k Run

In the community

04E81890C43F60E6718A790E46B1CE57_1150739Hearts & Homes is looking forward to volunteering at Alex’s 5k Run this weekend in Olney! The 5k is hosted by the Alex Popeck “Never Back Down” Foundation and dedicated to Alex Popeck, a 17-year-old junior and outstanding scholar and athlete at Sherwood High School who died as a result of a car accident.

Alex adopted the phrase “Never Back Down” to define his attitude towards life and led by example as a competitive athlete and honor roll student. Although a great student-athlete, Alex was most proud of his accomplishments in his community, and his efforts to reach out and stand up for others was where he truly made a profound mark in life.

Alex Popeck “Never Back Down” Foundation raises funds each year to benefit Montgomery County high school students. Each spring, college scholarships will be awarded to selected seniors whose applications best embody Alex’s qualities of caring, compassion, humility, honesty and his “Never Back Down” attitude. The Foundation will also work toward promoting safe driver education and awareness to newly licensed and future teenage drivers.

The Foundation will generate funds by organizing fun, community-enhancing events that will generate goodwill and the capital required to accomplish its goals.

Alex’s joyful exuberance was a unique gift. His attitude toward life drew people to him – young and old and across all boundaries or bias. Quick with a warm smile and kind word, Alex made everyone feel special and better about themselves. He genuinely cared about the people in his life and made sure every teacher, coach, teammate, competitor and classmate knew they mattered and were valued. Alex’s approach to life was a shining example of how one person could positively impact others by sharing his values and his were simply love, kindness, respect and compassion for all.

In keeping with Alex’s memory and spirit, we are excited to be part of this great event!

Letter to a judge

Get to know our programs, Words from our youth

OV26AOMUMIMany of the children and teens in our care are referred to Hearts & Homes for Youth by judges who believe that the youth need a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment to get back on their feet. Often youth tell us about their gratitude to people such as Judge Dawson, who often directly tell the youth that they believes in them. The words often motivate the kids to invest in themselves while they are in our care and take advantage of every opportunity to grow and learn.

Recently we heard from a woman who was in our care years ago. Since leaving Hearts & Homes, this young woman has traveled the world, completed her Masters degree at an Ivy League School, and worked with some of the most elite civic institutions in this country. She is extremely passionate about providing others with opportunities and has remained grateful to Judge John C. Tracey, who she credits with having “opened the door for [her] to lead an incredible and gifted life.”

On her 25th anniversary of being removed from an unsafe environment and placed in Hearts & Homes’ Independent Living Program, she recalled Judge Tracey’s “generosity of spirit and warmness” that resulted in her leaving home and building “a very rich and rewarding life with extraordinary friends and a new family.”

She said, “I have replayed the court proceedings a thousand times over in my head through the years. The conversation Judge Tracey had with me, but especially my father, and Judge Tracey’s guidance and compassion in the courtroom, has been a huge source of comfort for me and I believe gave my father some peace and a perspective that he so desperately needed. He passed away many years ago but fortunately had apologized for being an unfit parent. That allowed me to forgive him so I feel a double indebtedness to Judge Tracey.”

Making a person feel understood, accepted, and normal are not small things, they can have a huge impact. Judge Tracey, like countless other Juvenile and Family Court Judges, made a big difference in this young woman’s life – by referring her to a safe home, communicating his faith in her, and sharing his words of guidance with her and her father. 

BB&T puts on a Summer Bash and BBQ for Hearts & Homes Youth!

Activities for the youth,

938ED3EE9EThis summer BB&T will put on a summer bash and BBQ for the 175 youth in the care of Hearts & Homes for Youth to celebrate the kids making it through the school year in an effort to turn around their lives!

BB&T has rented out a public park to put on this Bash and has utilized local vendors to help make the event memorable. BB&T associates will serve lunch, play games and socialize with the kids. In addition to the BBQ and Bash, BB&T will purchase and stock general supplies for the shelters that house 175 kids each night and provide each kid with a gift bag of clothes and books. This partnership is part of BB&T’s company-wide community service initiative called the “BB&T Lighthouse Project”.  Since 2009, BB&T associates have completed more than 6,600 community service projects, provided more than 325,000 volunteer hours, and helped change the lives of more than 9.7 million people through the Lighthouse effort.

“I have 6 and 1 year old sons and I only want the best for them. As Chairman of the board of HHY, I see so many good kids come to the shelters that had a rough start to their lives and just need a lot of love, support and a second chance at life. So I wanted to do something directly for the kids to show them that they deserve the best and that there are concerned people that are there to support them,” said Thomas Ransom, BB&T’s Market President.  “This is our third community service project this year in Montgomery County. We are committed to BB&T’s mission of making our community a better place to live.”

“BB&T and Thomas Ransom have been an amazing partner with HHY and other local charities. Over the years, BB&T has performed “Extreme Makeovers” and other significant projects for our shelters. BB&T is also a major sponsor of our Honors gala which is on October 8th at the Fillmore in Silver Spring.  At HHY, our mission is simply to treat each child as if they were our own and BB&T gets that. Thomas and his team are a shining example of Corporate Social Responsibility,” said Chloe Perez, HHY CEO.

“Dew-ing More” with Hearts & Homes for Youth!

Activities for the youth, Thank you to our supporters

ltab_1This summer Dew More Baltimore is bringing Free Verse workshops to Hearts & Homes for Youth’s Marys Mount Manor Group Home for Girls! Free Verse is an art-based program geared toward developing youth emotionally, cognitively, and socially. Free Verse is modeled after best practices for positive youth development and designed to meet the needs and goals of Hearts & Homes for Youth. Dew More Baltimore teaching artists create a safe space, facilitate thought provoking discussions, teach fun and challenging workshops, and provide platforms for youth to share their ideas, thoughts, and work.

dewmore_logoDew More Baltimore is a community-based organization dedicated to using art and community organizing as tools to increase community engagement in the greater Baltimore Community. The summer program is facilitated by a grant from the Research Associates Foundation.

Through the Free Verse workshops, we want the youth to walk away with:

  • A clear sense of what poetry means to them
  • Quality writing skills
  • Memorization skills
  • The ability to write creatively when prompted
  • Performance skills
  • Emotional development: Dew More Baltimore creates a space for youth to process the internal and external stress they often face. The space provide youth with opportunities to share their stories, ask questions, and build analysis free of judgment.
  • Cognitive development: Dew More Baltimore leads workshops to help youth build the skills to be effective storytellers such as writing, reading, listening, critical thinking, research, public speaking, performance, memorization, and teamwork. These skills are easily transferable to other components of the youth’s lives.
  • Social development: Dew More Baltimore provides students with opportunities to use their stories to connect with their larger community. Through sharing stories, students learn how their words and stories impact, influence, and inspire others. Youth learn, through discussion and performance, their role in the larger community.

Marys Mount Manor Group Home for Girls is located in a semi-rural community setting in Anne Arundel County. The shelter was established and specifically tailored to meet the unique needs of adolescent girls. The therapeutic, structured program provides a nurturing, home-like atmosphere where residents have the opportunity to learn appropriate coping techniques and essential life skills. Girls in the group home range in age between 13 and 17 years old and hail from all parts of Maryland. They typically reside at Marys Mount between 9 and 15 months.

Our young women at Marys Mount attend community schools. They are encouraged to utilize the extensive resources that both the program and the community offer. Our professional staff provides 24-hour supervision and the necessary support to help our young women resolve long-standing issues and build appropriate life skills that will ensure a successful transition into adulthood.

Marys Mount Manor offers the following benefits:

  • Individual, family, group therapy, and art therapy targeted to building a strong personal identity, pride, self-esteem and confidence
  • On-site psychiatric evaluation and on-going medication evaluation
  • Educational advocacy and support, tutoring and college preparation
  • Case management and coordination for health services, substance abuse treatment, and additional necessary services
  • Therapeutic recreation and constructive use of leisure time
  • Life skills training to support self-sufficiency and independent living
  • Anger management training and support services
  • Community service work opportunities

Marys Mount is run by Ms. Rhonda Outen and Ms. Juantale Cook who have been part of the Hearts & Homes family for a number of years. They are dedicated to every young person who comes through our doors.

Hearts & Homes for Youth is glad to be working with Dew More Baltimore, which shares our belief that young people need and deserve a supportive community and opportunities to grow and succeed. We are looking forward to seeing the impact of Dew More Baltimore’s program on the development of the young women in our care.

A note from a mother

Words from our youth

Recently a mother of one of the youth in our care wrote a thank you note to a Program Manager, Ms. Rhonda Outen at Marys Mount Group Home, where her daughter resides. She wrote:

FullSizeRenderDear Ms. Outen,

I don’t know if the families let you know, but I want to personally thank you for giving our kids much needed advice, for shaping the future generation, and for showing our lost kids the way. I know that you have put your heart and soul, made plenty sacrifices over the years, and helped us as parents sleep easy at night knowing that they are safe and in good hands. Also, I really appreciate the kind, uplifting words that you always express to me and bringing my daughter back a changed person.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart, MB

This mother’s daughter recently graduated and is a few days away from being successfully discharged from our program. We are proud of her, we are overjoyed that her mother is proud, and we are gratified to know that our efforts are appreciated and are making a difference. Check back for a follow up article with more information about this young woman and her mother!

Everything is not fine

Family tips

0A38F0B702Sometimes children and teens hide behind a mask, feigning self confidence and boldness when in truth they feel vulnerable and are in need. These masks are hard to recognize until the cheerful and resilient youth gets into trouble, abuse substances, or have an emotional or physical outburst.

In his book Real Boys, William Pollack proposes that parents can get behind the mask with the following steps:

  1. Become sensitive to the early signs of a change such as substance abuse, poor grades, symptoms of depression, rowdy behavior, or becoming a perpetrator or victim of violence.
  2. Ask questions in a way that does not make a young person feel ashamed or afraid; instead of asking “What were you thinking?” ask, “Are you okay – what’s going on, can you tell me?”
  3. Accept that youth, just like adults, have their own “emotional schedules” – give the youth time to sort out their thoughts and open up to you.
  4. Connect through action – instead of having a sit down conversation in the living room, go for a walk or play a game, engage in an activity together that creates a connection and makes the youth feel comfortable  to share.
  5. Share stories about your own experiences, show you can relate and empathize with the experience and associated feelings, showing that you understand and respect the youth.

Schools can get behind the mask by providing you with a mentor. One of the youth in our group homes found a mentor at his high school and the relationship has made an immeasurable difference in his overall well-being. Another youth in our foster care program found a mentor at school in his football coach who has helped him develop a sense a belonging and a sense of community, and inspired this young man to invest in himself.

Everyone has the ability to make a big difference in a young person’s life. We need to be aware of changing behaviors, anticipate challenging situations and provide support, and don’t always believe that “everything’s alright.”

Exciting summer ahead!

Activities for the youth

938ED3EE9EWe have an exciting summer coming up for the youth in our care! In June, BB&T will hold an “End of School Year Bash & BBQ” for our youth! A few days later, in the beginning of July, we will hold an event to recognize one of our partner nonprofit organizations and a scholarship received by one of our foster youth! We are also looking forward to bringing an art program from another nonprofit to one of our group homes – more information coming soon!

In the middle of July, we are holding the Princess Party for the girls and young women in our care. Click here to see more about the event and how you can get involved! In August we will host the Kings of Style Party. Click here to see more about the event and how you can get involved!

We are working with other organizations to put on more exciting events for our youth this summer. Keep checking our website, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter to stay up to date on upcoming events, volunteer opportunities, and exciting news!

Hearts & Homes youth receives Featured Scholar award!

Words from our youth

20150527_210734We are very proud to share that one of the young men in our care was recently recognized as a Featured Scholar at his high school! David has been receiving counseling, therapy, academic support, vocational support, behavior modification, and life skills training at John C. Tracey Group Home. In addition to having a stable and supportive home, David found a mentor at his high school – with this foundation, David was able to sort out his thoughts, realize opportunities, and redefine himself.

The high school staff member at David’s high school who served as his mentor was proud to present him with the award and plaque. He said:

“When David arrived at our high school, he had several challenges past and present that he needed to overcome. Many times he was at a cross road. Do I let my past decisions chart my future? Do I understand who I really am? What do I really want to do? More important, where do I want to go? David has often been challenged by his peers. At times these challenges resulted in poor decision making and consequences. I found David trying to separate himself from negative peer interactions and actually coming to me during his lunch time indirectly seeking answers and trying to define himself. I was witnessing a transformation and a reinvention in David.

David would ask my opinion on various topic, in particular, about humanity. I would give my responses and he was receptive. Sometimes he would present me with a deep question and we would discuss it at length. We began to bond and exchange our views on education, behavior, man’s existence, and purpose. My office became a sanctuary for him; a place where he could go and continue to define himself. He continued to express his goals and views on paper, and I would give him feedback. Little did I know that he was laying the foundations for a group he and another peer built. With this group, David has been extremely open, honest, and transparent with his peers about his past dilemmas and present goals.

It is an honor for me to stand here and present this award to David who is a role model for his peers and has earned this distinction.”

20150528_135220

David’s story is remarkable because it shows that a young person can overcome anything and achieve great things with a stable home, a supportive environment, and a mentor. If you would like to get involved and mentor, here are some opportunities:

Give some love, change a life

Get to know our programs, Volunteering

WNT32S7DE1Hearts and Homes for Youth provides what every child deserves – a home, a family, and the opportunity to realize their hopes and dreams.

The word childhood conjures up images of playing ball, climbing trees, school, homework, mealtimes, and coming home to a warm, secure and safe bed – routines most of us take for granted.

But, for far too many children, “childhood” is simply a time for survival.  Whether it’s due to abuse, neglect, addiction or death of a caregiver, many children are “on their own” and with lives that are difficult and bleak at best.  That’s where Hearts & Homes for Youth comes in. We treat every child AS IF THEY WERE OUR OWN.

Hearts & Homes for Youth takes children with mental, emotional, and deep trust issues due to trauma and lack of attachment, and couple them with nurturing and trained caregivers; a surrogate family who form lasting bonds with the children.  This occurs because we put the child’s interests above anything else.

Once the safe and secure bonds begin to form, these children flourish.   They grow and mature intellectually, emotionally, socially and morally.

The youth in our care are referred to us by the Department of Juvenile Services as an alternative to detention, or the Department of Social Services to remove them from an unsafe environment. Myiesha was a young woman who was removed from an unsafe environment. Myiesha came to Hearts & Homes having  just turned age 18. Her mother, addicted to drugs, gave her up to an uncle and various relatives. Myiesha endured years of abuse, neglect and was essentially discarded. Throughout her tumultuous upbringing Myiesha did not have positive role models, trusting relationships, unconditional love or structure and the boundaries a young girl needs to develop into a productive, independent young lady.

Pregnant when she came to Hearts & Homes and into the foster home of Ms. Poindexter,  Myeshia chose to keep her baby.  We realized that given the proper guidance Myeshia could and would bond with her foster parent as well as learn proper parenting skills and bond with her baby at the same time.

With time, Myeisha built a strong relationship with her foster mother, enrolled in college, held a job, and made a good life for herself and her son.

Since 1964 Hearts & Homes for Youth has provided homes and families for more than 40,000 children and teen mothers with their babies in group homes, emergency shelter care, therapeutic group homes, foster care, independent living, and a homeless shelter. Each night, up to 176 children are at “home” in a safe, secure and loving place where the are cared for as if they were our own.

You know these children. Just look into the faces, the eyes, the smiles of your own or the kids next door. You will see and know the children and youth of Hearts & Homes.

Please join us and the thousands of others in the community who have literally saved the young lives of so many over the years and the many more yet to come and for whom you will come to care as if they were your own.  We will provide the home and the family. Help us to provide the heart. Click here to see how you can get involved!