I hope this finds everyone doing well. The year seems to be going by at a rapid pace, but in a very exciting way…
LOCALLY
We are ramping up now to supply our connected Social Services departments with backpacks filled with school supplies for those foster kids who find themselves in great need. In addition, we provide clothing and shoes so they are ready for their first day back and not scrambling at the last minute.
We have been and continue to supply basic necessities to men and women being released from the local jail with nowhere to go and with very little clothing or food. For these struggling individuals, we provide grocery gift cards and weather-appropriate clothing and shoes to give them the best start possible.
Recently I was contacted by a Social Services department leader with a need. Two young girls in a very bad situation were removed from their home for their own well-being. A grandmother was located, but her physical living conditions were less than ideal, and the girls could not be released to her. The children were put into protective custody. Weeks later through a series of circumstances, the grandmother’s living conditions dramatically improved so that she could take the children, but finances were tight and funds allowing her to care for her granddaughters would not be available for several weeks. This is where Hope is Everything stepped in. We were able to provide the social worker with a $250 Walmart Card so that she could personally take the grandmother and girls shopping for the things that they needed in the interim. They purchased diapers, wipes, clothing and shoes and the grandmother was extremely appreciative. This is just one more powerful way that your support has reached our community. Thank you for your generosity.
LYNCHBURG
I mentioned previously that I may be extending our outreach into the Lynchburg area in connection with their Department of Social Services. This past Monday I visited with the person in charge of Community Service and Charitable Events for the athletes at Liberty University. They are enthusiastically on board with what we are trying to accomplish. We will continue to meet in the coming months and develop more ideas of how to promote the work of Hope Is Everything in Lynchburg and help provide for the needs of the Lynchburg Social Services Department
From that initial conversation with Liberty, I was given a sack of Teddy Bears from a recent athletic community event. Ten bears were given to the local Isaiah 117 House ( https://isaiah117house.com/virginia ) – who house children put into protective custody until they can be placed with a family member or into a foster home – along with ten backpacks with the Liberty University logo on them. On each bear you can see a card attached with a personal note of encouragement signed by an athlete. I’m so excited to explore more ways to support and encourage families struggling in the Lynchburg community.