"Be the change you wish to see in the world", Ghandi. A quote that says so much. This is one of the many important teaching areas for the children at Homeless Families Foundation's Dawd Center. As you know we knit, crochet, loom, and quilt hats, scarves, mittens, slippers, cotton washcloths. Homeless Families Foundation is one of the 3 family shelters we donate to, and also where we donate all our afghans.
This is more then a family shelter providing safe haven for a few nights here and there to those without a roof over their heads. Homeless Families Foundation provides physical lodging, assist with job training and job search, assist with placement into permanent housing and start up kits during the transition from shelter living to permanent housing. Throughout this process there's a focus on getting the family back up and running, to keep the family together, and helping the kids with school.
HFF (Homeless Families Foundation), makes sure kids get to and from school. After school they are picked up brought back to the center and given a nice hot meal here at the center. Then homework and other school related functions can take place. It's hard for kids not knowing where they'll be sleeping day after day, or when the next meal will be to focus on education.......and yet education is the key. Thankfully HFF works on feeding and helping the kids in a safe environment.
There's a fabulous art area in addition to the music area you saw above. Reaching kids through creative endeavors is very important.
And of course there's a library. Being able to get help with reading is vital for many of these children.
What child wouldn't want to sit in an Ape chair to read?
Or sour like an Eagle in the Eagle chair? And while the kids are getting much needed help, their parents can focus on job training and job search and where the family will be living next. Far easier for them to focus on those important items when they know their children are being well cared for. Most of the children in a homeless situation are behind grade level, so this educational component is truly critical.
Bright cheery art work, that the children have made in the summer programs can be found everywhere in the Homeless Families Foundation and Dawd Centers new facility.
Some of the offices still have boxes as the organizational process continues, but the wonderful staff at Homeless Families Foundation forged ahead to get things read for the kids.
I was thrilled to visit the new center and get a tour from our good friend Karie Gallegos the other day.
Please know each and every item you make is so greatly appreciate by those that receive them.
The work we do is important, and is does make a difference. An important difference in the lives of many children and their families.
Here's the Homeless
Families Foundations Facebook and
Websites.
And if you've not yet joined
Bridge and Beyond's Facebook page, please do.
All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated. The Power of One is awesome, and when we work together The Power of One becomes The Power of Many.
VERY IMPRESSIVE. was thrilled to get a look at where the donations go and and view of what is actually going on. Thank you so much for that oppurtunity Sandy. God Bless the children.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea how much these centers offered to the homeless family and I must say that I am plesed. I am very happy to provide the warmth of hats, scarves, afghans, etc.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for this tour Sandy! It was a real eye opener. I am pleased to see how much they do at the education end. VERY IMPORTANT! And caring for the kids so Mom and Dad don't have to worry is such a plus. And all in such a creative looking and fun environment! JUST AWESOME! I will try to knit faster!
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the pictures. It was good to see the environment in which these families, particularly the children, are spending time. There but for the grace of God ...
ReplyDeleteSandy~
ReplyDeleteThank you! It was a pleasure to show you around and talk about the things we do here at The Homeless Families Foundation. If I could add on to your notes to let everyone know that we helped 238 families last year with case management, housing, food, move in supplies etc.
The Dowd Center provides such a wonderful environment for our kids. Not only do they help current families in our program but they also help former families as well as children who are at risk in the neighborhood. During the school year the kids are here from 3:30-6:00 and during the summer it is a full time program running from 9:00-4:30. We partner with the Columbus Zoo, The Children's Theater, the ballet, Columbus Art Museum and many others to make what we do such a success.
When a family is referred to our program they are assigned a case manager who will work directly with the family and help in finding housing as well as employment. Each family is provided with a move in kit (toiletries, cleaning supplies, bedding, food)as well as a referral to The Furniture Bank of Ohio for furniture assistance.
We celebrated our 25th anniversary last year. The first year HFF assisted 3 families and last year we helped over 200!
Please feel free to contact me should you have any questions or if you are interested in taking a tour.
kgallegos@homelessfamiliesfoundation.org
(614) 461.9247 ext.116
Thanks again Sandy and all the wonderful knitters! We truly could not do what we do without such wonderful community support!
Enjoy your day!
Karie
Thank you all for the visit and lovely comments. Thank you Karie for adding the additional information.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the pictures! I love all the different colors that they use. It was very interesting to read about the different things they do there. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteGreat to see some of the places where our items get donated. It just makes me want to get busy knitting more items. This looks like a great place for people to get help to get back on their feet. Thanks for doing this.
ReplyDeleteThank you, SO much, Sandy, for showing us the family centers. It was so great to see how lovely are and what they can do for these unfortunate families. God bless you and all who do this work.
ReplyDelete