Are you looking for a service opportunity? Global Missions is excited to announce the upcoming “Supply Kit” drive for the Neighborhood House. The Neighborhood House is a human service agency that provides services to address the needs of entire families, with a focus on low-income community members, public housing residents, immigrants, and refugees. This year the Neighborhood House asked us to put together kits that will benefit “Project SCOPE” in their Youth and Family department. The donation collection is scheduled on Sundays 11/27 & 12/4. We will need volunteers on Sunday 12/11 after the service to put together the kits.
Supplies needed
Please note, hygiene items should be standard size (not travel size or bulk size), and individually packaged.
– Hygiene items (soap, hand sanitizer, toothbrush/toothpaste, band aids, etc.)
– Scarves/gloves
– Gift cards (for things like gas, grocery, fast food, etc.)
The impact of Project SCOPE
Below is a story about an individual enrolled in Project SCOPE, a Neighborhood House program that works one-on-one with youth ages 14-24 who are disconnected from school/employment or are at risk of involvement with the criminal legal system. NH staff support youth in creating academic & employment plans that fit each young person’s individual goals and needs. This story below was written by Neighborhood House’s Youth Advocate Supervisor:
I first met D at New Start High School the fall of 2019. Her school counselor referred her to me because she was having a lot of problems at home, which was preventing her from being successful in school. With her mother being sick, no secure housing, and D hopping around from place to place, things were beginning to be too much for her.
Upon the start of us working together, it was very difficult for me connect with her. I knew she wanted and needed the support that Project SCOPE was offering. However, she did not know how to open up and reach out. She stated that there have been many people in her life whom she felt she couldn’t trust, due to them disappointing her.
After about 6-7 months of me continuing to call and send texts with little response, and the fact that I also was able to stay in constant communication with her mother, she started to see I was serious in helping her. She was also able to understand that I was a person who just wanted to help. She later told me that by me being a Black woman who she was able to identify with, and a person who has kept my promises to her, it allowed her to let her guard down a little. I then was able to build a relationship with her.
With various support to the family such as food, gas, a personal chrome book for school, and employment opportunities, it alleviated her problems greatly to focus on school. She also performed well by engaging in a learning opportunity where she learned photography for 6 weeks and was part of a virtual workshop. Upon her completion, she was pleased to have earned her stipend. We supported her to move back with her mother, as well as connect with a mental health provider.
I am proud to say that a year later, she is still with her mother, continuing her mental health support, and doing very well in school despite a global pandemic. My relationship with her is steadily growing, and I am happy that Project SCOPE has been able to assist her on her path of self-discovery, self-love, and her fight to overcome so much adversity.