(Below is the latest GreenHouse e-newsletter which went out to our mailing list last week. I've already written posts on some of these stories, but some of them are new.)
Community Led Project Raises $1100 for Haiti!
After the devastating earthquake in Haiti, we asked our youth a simple question, "What can we do to help?" One fifth grader named Perla replied, “We could sell tamales.” It was a brilliant idea.
The next week, Perla began knocking on doors, asking women from the neighborhood if they’d be willing to make tamales for the project. The women were eager to donate their time and talent to help out. Before long, several of them had signed-on to make over 300 homemade tamales.
Around that same time, Community Presbyterian Church gave one of its members $100 and an assignment: to multiple the money and then give it to a worthy cause. The timing was just right. That $100 became the "seed" money that purchased the ingredients for the tamales.
On February 28, Perla and a friend helped gather the nearly 300 fresh, warm tamales and transport them to Sanctuary Covenant Church where they were sold for $2.00 each. Around $600 was raised on the tamales alone. Others from Community Presbyterian Church caught wind of the project and began to make cash donations. In the end, the Tamales for Haiti project raised $1100 for Heartline Ministries in Haiti! We are so proud of Perla and all of the GreenHouse kids who helped with the project. And, we are grateful to all of the women from our neighborhood who sacrificially gave of their time, talent, and resources to make the tamales. This project was a demonstration of asset-based community development at its best. An idea from the community, relevant to the community, using the gifts of the community can make a powerful impact!
Engaging Parents and Strengthening Relationships
On February 23rd, The GreenHouse hosted a Parent Night for all of the parents who have a child or teen enrolled in one of our programs. It was a terrific opportunity for our staff to cast vision, share important dates and details, and deepen relationships with the parents. We even played a fun ice-breaker/game together!
At the end of the evening, every parent who attended the meeting was entered into a raffle to win one of two gently-used, donated computers. The two families who won were thrilled to receive a computer, monitor, keyboard, mouse, and speakers. Upon receiving her computer the next day, one mother said with a huge grin, “Soy muy contento!” It was her family’s first computer and she was so very grateful. Thank you to the Fred Jordan Mission for passing the used computers on to The GreenHouse. And, a very special "thank you" to volunteer Dave Young who translated the entire meeting into Spanish.
"and the winner is....."
Out and About this Winter
The children and teens of The GreenHouse have been busy this winter, participating in a variety of fun and enriching activities.
The R4 teens toured Folsom Lake College, making it the 4th college they have visited this school year.
The third-graders went ice-skating.
The teens had a blast at a Super Bowl Party.
The youth have attended countless Kings games (thank you Maloof Sports and Entertainment)
Our Leaders in Training team has become a "Youth Action Team" with the Youth Development Network.
The fifth and sixth graders went sledding and felt snow for the first time.
Save the Date
Kids at Heart 2010 will be held on Sunday, June 6th at 5:30 at Sofia Restaurant. Tickets are $50 and will be available next month. We hope you'll join us!
Thank You for your continued support!
For more information or to make a donation, contact us at:
The GreenHouse
P.O. Box 348138
Sacramento, CA 95834
(916)402-7978
http://www.thegreenhousecenter.org/
