Over 1000 Nights of Shelter

1,044 Nights of Safe Shelter for Homeless Youth

Wow, in less than 6 months your support has helped 36 youth receive 1044 nights of shelter. That's over 1,000 nights of not sleeping in a car, tent, on the wrong couch, or on the streets.

Hearts With A Mission does not receive any State, City, or Federal funding. We are so blessed to have folks like you who are willing to help provide this necessary service for our community. A recent survey was presented to the youth currently staying at Hearts With A Mission. Here are a few of their replies: “They made me feel that I do have a choice in everything I do.” “It has helped me view everything in a different way.” “I had an extreme talk about my choices, God, & Jesus.” “The workers, volunteers, and others have made me feel like a normal person.” “They have helped me improve my grades, better myself, and get my life back on track.” “I like how they provide resources for you to receive better things faster. There is not much I don’t like.” “If you are having second thoughts about coming to live here Just come, the people here have a lot of advice and experience to share with others.” Another 1,000 nights We couldn't have done this without you! It is your continued support that enables us to provide shelter to youth in Jackson County. Help us offer another 1,000 nights of shelter to homeless youth needing a safe place to stay.

Happy Mother's Day

Reuniting Families
Mother's Day, in the United States, was established in the aftermath of the Civil War. Women's peace groups, led by Julia Ward Howe, brought together the mothers of men who had fought on opposite sides of the battle lines in the Civil War. Howe's Mother's Day celebrations continued at a local level from 1868 through the 1890s, but her movement did not gain national support.

In 1908 Anna M. Jarvis, honoring the memory of her mother who supported an annual Mother's Day, created a committee to establish a "Mother's Friendship Day" with the purpose of "reuniting families that had been divided during the Civil War." She campaigned for a national day of remembrance for mothers. President Woodrow Wilson declared Mother's Day a national Holiday in 1914.

Like Julia Ward Howe and Anna M. Jarvis, Hearts With a Mission works to reunite divided families. Your support has enabled us to provide 33 kids with the hope of returning home to a healthy family. We've even been able to assist several of our youth in reuniting with mothers that they haven't seen in a long time, including Jennifer* who is now living with her mother and Michael* who is making plans to move in with his mom soon. Thank you for making it possible for the kids in the Rogue Valley to have a safe and secure place of refuge.

Happy Mother's Day.

*Names changed to protect confidentiality

A Hope and A Future

A Hope and A Future

Steven* age 17, slept under a bridge the night before he came to Hearts With A Mission. His parents didn’t think of themselves as bad parents, and they couldn’t understand why he was always running away. One of them would check on him every hour during the night to make sure he was still safe at home, but this schedule was taking a toll on their family. Steven’s parents didn't know what to do, so they called HWAM for help. During the 79 days Steven stayed at HWAM, he demonstrated significant growth. With the help and encouragement of HWAM staff, Steven has begun the journey of becoming self-sufficient. Steven's case manager helped establish goals for his future and empowered him to work toward achieving those goals. Steven had his GED so he was referred to the Job Council, and was able to get into a work program, which led him to a job in forestry. He recently moved out of the shelter and into his own apartment which he was able to secure through HWAM referring him to the Transitional Living Program at Community Works. Thank you for providing hope for a brighter future to Steven and his parents.

A Place to Call Home

When Jennifer* arrived at Hearts With a Mission, she was seeking refuge from an unhealthy living environment. HWAM provided her with a safe, stable place to stay until she could find permanent housing. While staying at HWAM, Jennifer was able to reconnect with her family and now has a permanant place to call home. It is because of YOU that Hearts With a Mission can give help, hope and temporary shelter to kids like Jennifer. Thank you for choosing to make a difference!

Jennifer had the following to say about her stay at the shelter:

This organization is the most amazing thing I have ever in my whole life experienced. You all are amazing people and I will always consider you as my family. I came in to the shelter scared and not knowing what I wanted. I was hurt by my parents and myself. But the next day I realized that everyone there had the hugest most amazing hearts I could ever have imagined. I got so much support from you guys and that is all I could have asked for. I don't know how you all did it but I always felt like I was at home when I was there. It was home. I really hope that I can go back someday and volunteer at this amazing organization. I love you all and send my prayers to everyone at the house. It is amazing how one guy’s dreams can change all these lives. Thank you for everything.

*Client’s name changed to protect confidentiality.

HWAM Spring Jam

Spring Break 2010 at Hearts With a Mission came with a week of fun activities. Scavenger hunts, Band Hero competitions, Tie-dye, and nature hikes were just part of the line-up. The kids had a great time! While building lasting memories, they also engaged in team building activities and strengthened friendships.

Photo courtesy of Chelsea Louie

Want to know more about what we do? Click here to watch a video about Hearts With a Mission

Nurturing Growth

Youth are Given Room to Bloom at HWAM

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While staying at Hearts With a Mission, youth are encouraged to grow. We start with the basics - healthy communication, school, life skills, job skills, and sustainable housing. But, we don't stop there. Youth are also given opportunites to participate in family reunification plans, community internships, art projects, and enrichment activities. When kids don't have to worry about meeting their basic needs, they have room to grow.

Plant Sale Fundraiser at Four Seasons Nursery

Four Seasons Nursery will host a plant sale March 27th and 28th from 8:00 AM -6:00 PM during their Spring Open House. The nursery is located at 5736 Crater Lake Avenue in Central Point.

Preorder your Color Bowl. Visit our online order form to reserve your purchase. You can pick up your color bowl during the open house. Purchases can also be made at the open house.

Color Bowls will be available for sale - a portion of the proceeds will be donated to Hearts With a Mission. Color bowls are available in three sizes:
10" bowl - $15
12" bowl - $25
14" bowl - $35

• The first 50 people who purchase color bowls get a free 4" Annual Flower
• Free coffee and donuts in the morning, free hotdogs in the afternoon
• Free Soil testing

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To make a donation to Hearts With a Mission without ordering a color bowl, please visit our donation page.

Monday Morning at HWAM

Movie Night!

Last night, the kids had a fun night out with several of our staff and volunteers. They went to the movies and watched To Save a Life, an inspiring movie about a young man who is forced to make some tough choices after his childhood friend dies. The kids were encouraged by the message in the film.

To Save a Life is playing in major theaters across the country. Check listings at your local theaters to see if it is playing near you.

Inspiring Creativity . . . Instilling Hope

Holly, a student from Southern Oregon University, visited Hearts With a Mission to do an art project with the residents. They made an amazing mural that is now hanging in our foyer. The kids worked on the concept with Holly for a couple of weeks and painted the mural last weekend.









The kids also designed their own paintings. They have been having lots of fun expressing themselves on canvas for the past few weeks. The final results were fantastic and as varied as the personalities of each of our kids.








We are grateful for all of our volunteers who give their time and resources to provide fun, enriching activities for the residents.




If you are interested in volunteering your time, please visit our website for a volunteer application or contact Kevin by email: kevin@heartswithamission.org

HWAM PARENTING TIP #1: dealing with deception.

“Sometimes a teen is deceptive because he is afraid to be honest. He may be scared that he will disappoint you or a friend. At some level, your teen may fear that the truth will interfere with love. Ask if you are not letting your teen be real, or if you are controlling his life so much that he has no freedom or secrets. Reassure your teen that you will love him no matter what he says or does, and encourage him to take a risk with you to see if this is true.” -John Townsend

ANOTHER WAY HWAM IS SERVING YOU…

Everyday we deal with difficult teen issues, so we’ve decided to start sharing tips for YOU to build a better relationship with your child. This HWAM Parenting Tip is brought to you from Boundaries With Teens by John Townsend.

Hope and Forgiveness Can Change a Life

Right now, as you read this, Hearts With A Mission is providing shelter for 10 local teens. Our doors have only been open for a little over 45 days and we have provided 253 nights of shelter to some of the area’s emotionally fragile youth. It’s because of you that we have been able to make this happen.

When Pam* came to Hearts With A Mission a couple of weeks ago, she said there was no way she would ever be able to forgive her father or return home. After mediation, counseling and some quality time with the HWAM staff she was reunited with her family. When we asked her what the most significant part of her stay with us was, she said Hearts With A Mission has helped give her the ability to forgive her dad.

Your support, getting the word out about what we do or donating to HWAM monthly, is making a tangible difference to so many kids who are struggling. THANK YOU!

*We have changed the teen’s name to protect her privacy.

www.heartswithamission.org

If You Build It, They Will Come

I vividly remember the November day in 2006 when I read that there were 1,500 homeless teens in Jackson County. Who knew that three years later, because of your support, Hearts With A Mission would be a fully licensed teen shelter! What hit me yesterday, as 5 more youth showed up at our door (we now have 8 kids at the shelter), is that the immediate need is so much more severe than I ever imagined.

Sarah* came to us a little over a week ago. The first night she didn’t talk, she didn’t eat, she didn’t sleep. She just curled up in the fetal position in the corner of her room. She slept on the floor for the following four nights, reminding us each day that she hated it here. Then something started to change. She started eating dinner with us and playing games and talking to the staff. A few days ago she ran up to me and said, “Kevin, you’re not going to believe what happened today. The vice principal called me into his office because this is the first full week of school that I haven’t skipped even once and he wanted to personally congratulate me.” Not only is Sarah* doing great in school, but she is now really enjoying her stay at HWAM.

Sarah’s* story is just one of so many YOU are apart of. As we continue with counseling and mediation with her family, know that it is only because of your support that Sarah* and her family can work through their issues.
(*I changed the teen’s name to Sarah to protect her privacy.)

HWAM NEEDS:
As we move forward we are looking for Monthly Donors to help underwrite, staffing, program and utilities. Click Here to sign up now.

HWAM is looking for volunteers to prepare meals for the shelter, be a mentor or to help us get the kids where they need to be. If you’re interested in helping in any of these areas please call Shannon at 541.646.7385 or e-mail shannon@heartswithamission.org.