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Greetings!
This month, Youth Homes has been busy! For many foster youth, the idea of moving into a group home invokes a dull and depressed pictured of institutional life. Thankfully Youth Homes is moving to change these realities and providing youth with a new outlook on life. On February 14th, Youth Homes gathered together with local volunteers to plant 100 trees onsite during our Sowing Seeds of Hope Orchard Planting. This beautiful opportunity was made possible thanks to generous donations and support from Episcopal Charities.
Over the past three years, Youth Homes has seen an abundance of change in the lives of our youth. The Youth Homes Orchard Project will provide new and innovative ways for our young adults to become job ready. From learning about care and cultivation of fruit trees to marketing and selling the produce it creates, youth are being challenged to learn new tasks and build new relationships. These relationships were evident during the planting as young adults from Youth Homes' TAY Labor Program worked alongside volunteers from the Lafayette Community Garden.
Members from the Lafayette Community Garden and The Urban Farmers graciously joined forces to help with installing gopher cages and planting trees, as well as helping during the planning stages. Pictured right, TAY crew member Rhyan Hodge with a community volunteer.
For everyone involved in the Orchard Project, this unique effort has helped to confirm a solid truth; that all of us are integral in creating a strong community for the future.
To view pictures from our recent orchard planting, please visit our Facebook Page here. Also, be sure to read the article that The Lamorinda Weekly picked up on the orchard planting.
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Community Spotlight
Here at the Youth Homes office, we are always pleasantly surprised by the generosity of the community. This month Youth Homes received a visit from two very special young ladies. Fifteen year old High School Freshmen Katie and Paige saw a critical need for girls who have been removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect - often with only the clothes on their back.
With the help of their parents, the girls began their journey last summer and have now launched their newly formed non-profit,
What's Mine is Yours.The girls can be quoted in their newly written mission statement;
"Never under estimate the power of giving - that is what drove us to peruse an idea that will make a difference in our community. We are dedicated to collecting and donating the necessary clothing and hand delivering them to local girls similar in age. By starting this charity we feel it will keep us grounded and grateful, and we see the importance of giving back."
Youth Homes would like to thank both Katie and Paige for making a difference in the lives of the foster youth we serve by providing three boxes full of wonderful and stylish clothing! Keep up the good work!
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The Youth Homes Auxiliary Thrift Shop
Youth Homes would like to congratulate the Auxiliary Thrift Shop on their 20th year of service. Launched in 1993 with the help of volunteers Ivy Robinson, Bernice Ely, Jean Kennedy and Joanne Taylor, the shop has provided an abundance of blessings for foster youth. In the early days, Joanne recalls that many people worried the shop might not last, but she knows that the hard work has paid off richly for the Auxiliary and the kids they serve.
Youth Homes would like to thank all the Auxiliary volunteers for their hard work in supporting foster youth in need. For more information on how to volunteer at the Auxiliary Thrift Store, click here, and remember that the Thrift Shop is always looking for donations of clothing, books and many other items.
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