I hope you had a wonderful holiday season.  Because of your generosity, the young people in our programs also had a joyful season.  Things many of us take for granted -- good food and warm clothing -- were provided in abundance, as well as plenty of extra goodies to make the holiday bright for hundreds of disadvantaged children and youth.  Now we are looking forward to a New Year filled with possibilities.  This coming year we will continue to provide safe havens for young people, and opportunities for them to thrive and grow.  We will continue to work to break the cycles of poverty and violence that can hold children back from reaching their full potential.  As a supporter of Alternative House, you are a partner in this effort.  With your help we will make this the best year yet for young people in our community.   

Happy New Year!  Judith 

 "Samirah" didn't have an easy time before she entered our Assisting Young Mother's program (AYM).  She had been in and out of foster care all her life and had problems with substance abuse.  She moved into AYM five days after the birth of her son and was determined to turn her life around.  Samirah found a full-time job in retail.  During her 17 months in AYM-I, she accomplished many things -- she was promoted to an assistant manager position at her place of employment, obtained her driver's license, paid off all her debts and purchased a car with her savings.  By getting her driver's license and a car, she was able to expand her employment options.  She was no longer tied to employment that had to be accessible to public transportation.  Samirah's son grew into a charming toddler during her time in the program.  Samirah is now in her own apartment in our AYM-II program.  She has the skills and financial base she needs to take care of herself and her son on her own.