The Columbia 2nd Ward Young Women and Young Men Organizations of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints spent the holidays collecting  “Jeans for Teens”!

The donation from The Columbia 2nd Ward Young Women and Young Men Organizations is extraordinarily appreciated! Especially with the weather getting colder, jeans are a tremendous commodity! The material is durable, versatile and comfortable.

Hearts & Homes for Youth serves youth who have experience abuse, neglect or other trauma, and many of the youth come into our care with nothing but the clothes they are wearing. For all of our youth, and especially the youth in our emergency shelter, jeans are invaluable.

The Columbia 2nd Ward Young Women and Young Men Organizations decided in early December to collect jeans for fellow teens who are overcoming adversity. They said that having jeans to wear will help teens feel more like the fit in among their peers and can be worn longer between washing. The inspiring group of youth recognized that they, as well as their families, friends and neighbors, have good jeans that are never worn. They encouraged the community to donated good, clean jeans of varying sizes. In addition to several sweatshirts, clothing, and toys, the youth group collected a total of 90 jeans! They also took the time to write inspirational thoughts on pieces of paper that they put into a pocket of each pair of jeans!

Hearts & Homes for Youth is grateful to this youth group for the generous support and for thinking of the needs their peers across the state of Maryland, and how to make the New Year a little bright for them.

Thank you everyone for fulfilling our youth’s wish lists and responding to our requests for especially needed items! This holiday season is going to be one filled with warmth and cheer for our youth, thanks to you!

Thank you Centrus for the incredible gifts for our young mothers and babies! The gifts of basic necessities, care products, and educational toys will help our young mothers enormously! In 2007, Centrus’ headquarters office in Bethesda selected HHFY to be our primary charitable giving recipient, and we have been a steady sponsor of the organization ever since. This support has included direct corporate donations, event sponsorships, and donation drives (holiday wish lists, coats, suits, school supplies), as well as organizing events for their children such as a holiday party at the emergency shelter and a career day at our headquarters.

Thank you Reverend Anthony Farmer and everyone from Visions of the Heart Spiritual Life Center in Takoma Park for paying it forward and spreading Christmas cheer! Our boys will be grateful for the socks, sweatpants, clothes, gift cards, metro cards, winter coats and much more that you have gifted to them this holiday season!

Silver Spring United Methodist Church hosts the Angel Tree project every year and for many years, they have chosen us as a recipient of their generosity. Thank you Rebecca McGinnis for bringing the gifts to our office today and thank you for being so good to our kids for so many years!

Thank you Lynn Walker from Packaged for Success! Every year, Packaged for Success, a great organization started by Nicki and JaMai Sanders, give Hearts & Homes for Youth purses filled with personal care items from their Pack a Purse Drive! Thank you for this special treat that our girls will love!

We like to give a big thank you to Ms. Chante Bennet who held a toy and gift card drive for our Damamli Mother-Baby Program last Saturday! We received toys, baby items, and a donation of $180 to purchase Christmas gifts for our young mothers and their children. Thank you for thinking of our young mothers and babies Ms. Chante Bennett!

Thank you Peter Rosenfelder from Edleman Finacial Services LLC, Joanne Van Blake, Carey Miller, Mandy Miller, Sue Baker, Sherri Vucci, Dawn Peterson, Northrup Grumman, Barbara Jordan, Jones Lang LaSalle, Nicole and Brent Harkin, Embrace Home Loans, Tonya Harris and Council of the Great City Schools, Laura Rosenberg and Congregation B’Nai Tzedek, Social & Scientific Systems, Inc., Joanne Hill and your congregation from SDA Church in Takoma Park, Jeannette and Hala Hasan, Girl Scout Troop 1168 and many more!

All of us at Hearts & Homes for Youth are grateful for the outpouring of support and donations we have received for the Holiday Spirit Gift Drive! Happy holidays to you and your loved ones!

All of us at Hearts & Homes for Youth are grateful for the outpouring of support and donations we have received for the Holiday Spirit Gift Drive! We have received an abundance of baby clothes and toys, and many of our teens wish lists have been answered. It is incredible and heartwarming to see so many people giving to make the holidays a little brighter and a little warmer for all of the youth in our care!

There is still a need for some specific items to bring cheer into our programs! We are asking specifically for sweatpants, sweatshirts, t-shirts, socks and underwear. We needed sizes from small to extra large. Many of the youth who come into our care, especially our teenage boys, come with nothing and have no support system beyond our program. We need your help to give our teens comfort and the confidence that someone believes in them! 

If you would like to arrange a pick up or drop off, please contact Hazel Eguia at heguia@heartsandhomes.org.

We greatly appreciate your support and consideration! It is a simple gift that would make a huge difference!

Hearts & Homes for Youth is excited to announce that on Giving Tuesday, we raised over $5,300 for our art therapy campaign!

“100% of the money raised will directly support our art therapy program,” said Hearts & Homes CEO Chloe Perez. “We are so grateful to our supporters and thrilled to dedicate this money to our art therapy program so as to extend this great service to many more of our youth! For many of our kids who have experienced trauma, art therapy enables them to work through the barriers that have limited their capacity to succeed. “

With this money, we will be able to buy an abundance of art supplies and hold art therapy sessions each week at two other groups for the next six to seven months!

We know how many days of art therapy we can afford with the money raised, however the impact is immeasurable! Thank you to all of our supporters!

Thank you Cynthia Jones for the suits and designer clothing you donated to our youth! We brought the clothes to our Jumpstart Group Home for boys ages 17-21 and they loved them!

The boys immediately tried on the clothes and are excited to wear them tomorrow at the Action Civics Workshop provided by Legislative Director Tia Holmes, Delegate Cory V. McCray, Delegate Alonzo Washington, Lawrence Stafford Jr. from Progressive Maryland, and Director of Youth and Parent Services Community Public Awareness Council Kendal Wade! Thank you Cynthia for helping make our young men feel special, important, and supported!

Since our founding, Hearts & Homes for Youth has relied on support from the community to give our youth the best quality of service and variety of opportunities to support their healing, growth and development.

We are especially thankful this year to 105.7 The Fan, Adam and Jannette Hasan, Adam Murtaugh (The Sherwin-Williams Company), Adrian Rousseau, Alan Busbee, Alan Mark, Alan Schulman, Alan Stein, Alex Adler, All Set, America’s Charities, American Capital Contracting, American Girl, Andrew Yue, Anita Powell, Ann Albin, Anthony Crisalli, Appliance Distributors Unlimited, Arbonne, Ardyce Asire, Argyle Country Club, Aronson LLC, Arthur Murray Dance Studio, Arucula Osteria, Ashleigh Hussey, Avatar Salon, Babel Perez, Baltimore Community Foundation, Baltimore Orioles, Baltimore Ravens, Bank of Georgetown, Barbara Casper Jr and L Mark Winston, Barbara Miller, Bay Bank, BB&T Bank, Benjamin Britton, Bertucci’s in Columbia, Bethany Petrie, Bill Dunphy, Black Ankle Vineyards, Bob’s Furniture, Brett Kaplowitz, Brian and Mary Buckley, Brian Coester, Brooke Brumby, Bucks Fishing & Camping, Buffalo Wild Wings, Burtonsville Lions Foundation, Capital City Flooring, Capital Steps, Carl Silverstein, Carmen Agueda, Carol Martin, Carolyn Birely, Case Management, Catherine Lerario, Catherine Provost, Causecast Foundation, Centrus Energy Corporation, Cheryl Spell, Chief Thomas Manger, Chloe Perez, Chris Rodney, Cigna, Circle Yoga, Cigna Health and Life Insurance, Coakley Williams, Colonial Life, Color Me Mine, Columbia Records, Comfort Cases, Congressman Chris Van Hollen, Cooper’s Hawk Winery, Councilor Buchanan & Mitchell PC, Costco, Curt Harpold, Dan Schrider, Danya International, Das Pretzel Haus, David Pollin, David Silver, Deborah Davidson, Deborah Geddings, Deborah Sugar, Debra Schmidt, Delegate Alonzo Washington, Delegate Cory McCray, Delegate Sheila Hixson, Denita Conway, Devynne Espeut (Kappa Phi Lamda), Diane Brickman, Dionte Martin, Disney/ABC/ESPN, Don Franklin, Donald Defranceaux, Donald Hoffman, Doris Senjo, Ed Ross, Editorial Projects in Education, Edward and Judith Morenoff, Eric D Gates, Eric Mills, Ethan Bernardi, Explore Couture, Ferguson Enterprises, First Potomac Realty Investment, Fitzgerald Auto Malls, Founding Farmers, Frank Dunbaugh Esq, Fred and Terri Gober, Friends of Guy Guzzone, Gary and Elizabeth Thompson, GBL Sales, George Barlnick, Georgetown University Athletics, Gerald Abrams, Giant in Burtonsville, Governor Larry Hogan, Hair Cuttery, Hank and Anne Ward, Hannah Sacks, Harris Teeter, Harvey Goodman, Heartland Dental LLC, Heather Matricciani, Hertzbach & Company, Historic Ships in Baltimore, Holistic Life Foundation, Honorable Sydney Harrison, Honorary Nieces and Nephews, Hot Sand Enterprises, Howard County Chamber of Commerce, Howard County Executive Alan Kittleman, Howard County YPN, IBM Employee Service Center, IBS Millwork, Imagination Stage, It Works!, Jack and Marcy Garson, Jade Solutions LLC, James Dorsey, James Gushner, James Ingram, James Scott Jr, James Washington, Jane Flinn, Jane Smith, Janet DeCosta, Janine Mooney, Jason Chisler, Jealdine Monroe, Jean and Lawrence Parsley, Jean McDugh, Jeanne Poole, Jeff and James King, Jeff Donohoe, Jeffrey Singer, Jehan Henry, Jennifer Corke, Jennifer Hayes, Jennifer Kramer, Jennifer Marting, Jeremy Welsh, Jessica Durning, Jill Babby, Jim Gilchrist, JJW & Associates, Joan Cooper, John Ambrose, John and Christine Bowes, John Greenan & Sons Inc, John J. Keating, Jones Lang LaSalle, Joseph Bednarovsky, Joslyn Wolfe, JR’s Auto & Body Center, Juan and Carmen Agueda, Judith Bernardi, Judith Morenoff, Juli Jordan, Julie Snight, Juliette and Robert Goldman, Junior Women’s Club of Chevy, Chase, Kacy and Marcy Garson, Kara Permisohn, Kathleen McCallum, Kathryn Scott, Kathryn Turner, Kathy Jones, Kay Leech, Keith McKenna, Keith Swirsky, Kelly & Associates, Kelly Integral Solutions, Ken Wiedel, Kidsco, Kimberly Ferguson, Kirill Reznick, Koons of Silver Spring, Kym Robinson-Gillespie (Buffalo Wild Wings), Lance Thom, Lanigan Ryan Malcolm Doyle, Larry and Susan Davis, Latecea Brock, Lateka Brock, Laura Winn, Laurel Boys and Girls Club, Laurie Benzing, Lawrence Mann, Ledo’s Pizza, Leon Harris, Leslie Mason, Lewis Azzinaro, Liberty Mountain Resort, Linganore Wine Cellars, Lisa Winegar, Lloyd Victor Seested III, LuLaRoe, Lynn Bennett, Lynn Malatt, Madame Tussauds in DC, Marcia Hofman, Macy’s, Margaret Bessett, Margot Anderson, Markita Bryant, Marlon Johnson, Martin Klepper, Martin Segal, Mary Brennan, Mary Kay Cosmetics, Mary Karr, Matt Siren, McDevitt and Sons Plumbing and Heating, Meghann Schwartz, Melissa Tarkett, Mercedes Benz of Silver Spring, Metropolitan Industries Inc, Michael and Jean Kaliner, Michael and Shirley Carozza, Michael Anthony Smith, Michael Haynesworth, Michael Moran, Michael Paulson, Michael and Nancy Whitehurst, Michelle Hill, Middle C Music, Mike Millan, Mike Thoma, Milton and Harriet Brightman, Mimi Kress, Minkoff Company, MOD Pizza, Mom’s Club of Rockville, Morgan Reem, Mr Wash, Muhammad Ahmad, Nailah Johnson, Nancy Richardson, Network for Good, New Market Investors, Newseum, Norbeck Country Club, Northwest Park Golf Course, Occassions Gists at Cabin John Mall, Ocean City Brewing Co, Old Navy in Laurel, Ovetta Moore, Ovidio and Norma Perez, Paco Rodriguez, Pastor Ginny Price, Patricia Horton, Paul and Caitlin Ward, Paul and Geraldine Stein, Paul Noga Jr, Paul Rachetta, Paul Wilson, Peter Radway, Pettit Family Charitable Foundation, Philip Abel, Phoenix Electric Technologies, Phoenix Symphony, POSH Salon, Potomac Mechanical Services, Prince George’s County Sheriff’s Department, Progressions Salon & Spa, Q Pest Control, Reid Temple AME Church, Rex Smith, RFS Gives Back, Rhea Lou Cohen, Richard Bernardi, Richard De Pippo, Robert Bowers, Robert Chasteen-Scheer, Robert Garretson, Robert Joseph Group, Robert Painter, Ronald D Paul Companies, Royal Taj, Ryan Rocha, Ruppert Landscape, Russel and Susan Marks, Saint Mark Presbyterian Church, Sally Nguyen, Samuel Spiritos, Sandy Spring Bank, Sarah Peachey, Scott Fixell, Sean McElroy, Seneca One Finance, Sgt. Stephanie Wall, Sheila Miller, Sherwin Williams, Shirley Bradley, Shirley Kusher, ShopHouse in Columbia, Sieva Floyd, Simply the Best Painting Company, Slick Sam Jewelry, Social & Scientific Systems, Sean Hughes, Sean McElroy, Seneca One Finance, Sheila Hixson, Sheila Miller, Shirley Kushner, Shirley Bradley, ShopHouse, Silver Peak Reit, Sonia Firpi, Squisito in Burtonsville, Standard Technology Inc, Stefan Williams, Stein Sperling Bennett De Jong Driscoll PC, Stella and Dot, Stephen Dougherty, Steven Craig, Steve Purdy, Strathmore, Baltimore Center Stage, Summers Farm, Susan Davis, Susan Prather, Swan Corporation, Synergy Enterprises Inc, Target, Ted Thornton, Telly Lovelace, Terri Carpenter, The Burtonsville Lions Club, The Corner Stable in Columbia, The Donohoe Companies, The Greene Turtle in Burtonsville, The Insurance Exchange, The Meltzer Group, The Morris & Gwendolyn Capfritz Foundation, The QED Group LLC, The Shine Collection, The Young Group, Thirty One Gifts, Thomas and Christine Rodkey, Thomas and Doris Senko, Thomas McGowan, Thomas Ransom, Tia Holmes, Tina Kitto, Total Wine, Tracey Brown, Trevard Jackson, UBS Employee Giving Program, United Way of the National Capital Region, University of Maryland Athletics, UPS, Valeka Moore, Valerie Snogren, Versa Integrated Solutions, Vic Seested III and Biani Seested, Vicki Valle, Volunteers from Fort Meade, Washington Capitals, Washington Mystics, Washington Nationals, Washington Redskins Charitable Foundation, Washington Wizards, Wegmans, Wendy Letow, Wes Moore, Weygandt Wines, Whitetail Resort, Whole Foods, William and Lori Askinazi, William E. Cross Foundation, Women of the Moose (Wheaton), Women’s Club of Chevy Chases, Woodmoor Cleaners, Younique Products, Zaki Hashmi, our loyal board members, our dedicated staff, and many more.

All of us at Hearts & Homes for Youth thank you for an incredible year of giving. We wish the best to you and your loved ones and we look forward to seeing what the new year has to bring!

On Friday, November 13, Coakley Williams Construction and Ruppert Landscape came to Hearts & Homes for Youth’s Kemp Mill Group Home in Silver Spring and transformed the yard.

Coakley Williams Construction volunteers raked the front and back yards, added mulch and top soil, and planted new flowers and hedge bushes, provided by Ruppert Landscape.

“The transformation of the modest yard is incredible and will have a positive impact on the residents! There are no words to express the gratitude that Hearts & Homes has for everything that Coakley Williams Construction has done for us, and we are grateful to Ruppert Landscape for donating the materials that made this possible” said Hearts & Homes CEO Chloe Perez.

Coakley Williams Construction also recently renovated the kitchen at the Group Home.

ABOUT COAKLEY WILLIAMS CONSTRUCTION, INC

Coakley & Williams Construction, Inc. (CWC) is a privately owned firm established in 1961, and is regarded as one of the preeminent contractors in the greater Washington/Baltimore region. The leadership of the firm is stable, cohesive and accessible. CWC is consistently ranked among the largest regional Contractors by the Washington Business Journal and is also ranked among the Top 400 Contractors and the Top 100 Design/Builders in the nation by Engineering News Record. Coakley & Williams Construction, Inc. was recently awarded the “Best in Industry – Construction Contractor” by CREBA, a regional organization comprised of more than 600 commercial brokers and affiliated professionals in the DC Metropolitan Area.

ABOUT RUPPERT LANDSCAPE

Ruppert Landscape is a company built from a strong set of values and a genuine dedication to providing the highest quality landscape management, landscape construction and tree growing and moving services available.

With over three decades of experience in the landscape contracting and nursery industries, our company understands the business from every angle and incorporates customer perspective to produce the best results. Ruppert has a track record of effectively attending to the many details necessary to perform services cost consciously, meticulously and with a personal touch not found elsewhere.

At the heart of the Ruppert business culture is a formal value system which guides us toward our goals of becoming the premier landscape contractor and tree supplier. These values are driven by a desire to exceed expectations in everything we do in a manner that is both ethical and efficient. We believe that our success can only be measured in terms of high client satisfaction and progressive employee development. If these two areas are attended to, financial success will follow.