EMPOWERMENT
= ACHIEVEMENT!
Our Alumni Support Group
(ASG) was started four years ago from a group of moms
and their children whom we first met in shelters. We
have gone on to establish meaningful relationships
with these individuals while in the transition process
and long after as we watch them grow more and more
successful with each of life’s progressions.
These women have gone on to educational, vocational,
and inspirational achievements through the help of
HoG. ASG is an essential piece of the framework of
our organization as we enable these families so that
they will not fall back onto hard times. About half
of these women have been a part of the HoG family for
many years while others have only just recently left
shelters. We have monthly meetings where we provide
the comforts of a meal and we bring in a motivational
speaker who discusses a theme related to that evening’s
agenda. The meetings give the women an opportunity
to bond with one another by allowing them to share
their own stories, hopes and concerns for each other.
The group also gets together on HoG sponsored educational
field trips for both children and moms alike. There
is a Biggest Loser Contest, where we offer incentives
and prizes to the mom who finishes with the most pounds
lost. HoG creates a community and network for these
families to feel comfort and acceptance.
Program activities include:
- A daily homework help program in the shelter that tutors
children and enhances computer skills throughout the school
year. Participating children’s moms enjoy a hot
meal with their child or as “takeout” for the
entire family.
- Summer camp scholarships for shelter and ASG children to
attend YMCA camps around the city as well as upstate sleep-away
camps.
- A summer drop-off shelter program for younger children
who are cared for by HoG interns. Children enjoy arts
and crafts, daily outings to local parks and healthy snacks.
- Summer day trips for shelter and ASG families to Sesame
Place, Game Farms and and other fun locales. Winter
brings bowling, Liberty Science Center visits, museum visits,
and more.
- The Origins-sponsored “Pampering Extravaganza,” complete
with gift certificates and a “makeover,” rewards
one mother per month from each shelter for showing improvement
in her parenting and housekeeping skills.
- Distribution of cleaned lightly-used and new clothing for
both moms and children at Clothing Fairs throughout
the year to enhance families’ wardrobes and moms’ job
interview wear.
HoG understands that bringing about change
in any life requires work and a drive to succeed. We reward
our moms for striving to care for their children and themselves
socially, emotionally, and academically. Additionally, we reward
moms and children’s academic and personal achievements.
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