Thursday, November 19, 2009
Holiday Shop Night Dec 11th!
Come meet the kids of Project Hope. There will also be lots of food, door prizes and sales! A great way to round out your Christmas shopping list!
Friday, November 13, 2009
Making a Change: Whitney's Story
With a cheerful greeting and smile, Whitney is the first person you meet at Project Hope and one of the driving forces in our Community Store. Friendly and outgoing, she manages to remain optimistic despite the challenges in her life.
Whitney: “I want to be a role model for my kids and have a better life. I don’t want them to make the same mistakes I made.”
With no education or proper work experience, she found it impossible to find a job that could support her and two children. So, while she was 6 months pregnant, Whitney embarked on getting her GED.
Although she received no support or encouragement from friends and family, she persevered and received her GED before the birth of her second child. When asked about her motivation, Whitney responded, “I wanted to be a role model for my kids.”
With her GED, she went to a local jobs program and was introduced to Project Hope. Whitney was nervous and unsure if she could learn the retail requirements and customer service but she was surprised at how quickly she picked things up. “My confidence level went up, way up. I enjoy waking up early in the morning and coming to work”. These changes have given her the confidence to make changes in her personal life as well.
When Whitney first started at Project Hope, she was supporting 7 family members, all of whom shared her small 2 bedroom apartment. Recently, she moved out on her own with her daughters.
It’s been challenging but she’s pleased with her progress. “It’s very scary, but it’s very exciting and I feel independent. It’s a new learning experience. And I feel more of a connection with my daughters; we’re bonding." Now, she’s thinking about continuing her education and remains hopeful about the future and the promise of a better life.
Whitney’s story is all too common: she dropped out of high school at 17, spent her time at clubs and got caught up with a crowd that was involved with theft and drugs. At 19, she found herself pregnant and left alone to raise the baby. When she was pregnant with her second child that Whitney realized she needed to change her life.
With no education or proper work experience, she found it impossible to find a job that could support her and two children. So, while she was 6 months pregnant, Whitney embarked on getting her GED.
Although she received no support or encouragement from friends and family, she persevered and received her GED before the birth of her second child. When asked about her motivation, Whitney responded, “I wanted to be a role model for my kids.”
With her GED, she went to a local jobs program and was introduced to Project Hope. Whitney was nervous and unsure if she could learn the retail requirements and customer service but she was surprised at how quickly she picked things up. “My confidence level went up, way up. I enjoy waking up early in the morning and coming to work”. These changes have given her the confidence to make changes in her personal life as well.
When Whitney first started at Project Hope, she was supporting 7 family members, all of whom shared her small 2 bedroom apartment. Recently, she moved out on her own with her daughters.
It’s been challenging but she’s pleased with her progress. “It’s very scary, but it’s very exciting and I feel independent. It’s a new learning experience. And I feel more of a connection with my daughters; we’re bonding." Now, she’s thinking about continuing her education and remains hopeful about the future and the promise of a better life.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Hope Houses: Emerson House
While other youth programs offer education and vocational training, for many youths it is critical that they have immediate employment to support themselves or their families. Project Hope addresses that need by directly employing youths in our after-school job’s program Hope Houses.
Hope Houses provides materials and labor for low-income housing in Portland and teaches students job skills and responsibility. Youths work side by side with licensed contractors, learning everything from framing a house to installing flooring.
The program also donates materials to the community and other non-profits, impressing upon students the importance of charitable giving and being part of a community.
Hope Houses’ mission is twofold:
1. Real application of job training. Our goal is to provide youth with the skills and experience necessary to compete in today’s work place environment and earn a living wage.
2. Provide a means for families to own their home and improve neighborhoods in Portland.
In October 2009, Hope Houses completed their first home for a young family, the Tarka’s. Jason is a worship pastor and Alison is a stay at home mom to their two young children. They were unable to afford a home; Hope Houses assisted by donating materials* and labor that helped offset the cost and helped make their dream of homeownership a reality. Excited and pleased, the Tarka’s couldn’t be happier with their new home. “This house has been the opportunity of our lives and we still can't believe it will become our home.”
Project Hope places importance on all individuals and our goal is to create an environment where everyone feels valued. We strive to promote that message in our own community, starting with the most vulnerable among us. Hope Houses represents the core of our mission: building futures and restoring lives.
Donated items include the following: kitchen and bathroom cabinets, bathtubs, hardwood and vinyl flooring, wire shelving, sinks, light fixtures, ceiling fans and more.
*Donations made possible by Home Depot.
Hope Houses provides materials and labor for low-income housing in Portland and teaches students job skills and responsibility. Youths work side by side with licensed contractors, learning everything from framing a house to installing flooring.
Hope Houses’ mission is twofold:
1. Real application of job training. Our goal is to provide youth with the skills and experience necessary to compete in today’s work place environment and earn a living wage.
2. Provide a means for families to own their home and improve neighborhoods in Portland.
In October 2009, Hope Houses completed their first home for a young family, the Tarka’s. Jason is a worship pastor and Alison is a stay at home mom to their two young children. They were unable to afford a home; Hope Houses assisted by donating materials* and labor that helped offset the cost and helped make their dream of homeownership a reality. Excited and pleased, the Tarka’s couldn’t be happier with their new home. “This house has been the opportunity of our lives and we still can't believe it will become our home.”
Project Hope places importance on all individuals and our goal is to create an environment where everyone feels valued. We strive to promote that message in our own community, starting with the most vulnerable among us. Hope Houses represents the core of our mission: building futures and restoring lives.
Donated items include the following: kitchen and bathroom cabinets, bathtubs, hardwood and vinyl flooring, wire shelving, sinks, light fixtures, ceiling fans and more.
*Donations made possible by Home Depot.
Welcome!
Welcome to our blog!
Project Hope is a non-profit organization dedicated to working with at-risk youths between the ages of 15-20 in NE Portland. These youths face bleak prospects: no education, low wage work, unstable employment, reliance on social services, and possible involvement in the criminal justice system. We provide a comprehensive solution, focusing on the skills needed to make positive, lifelong changes: educational support, occupational training in our jobs program, and life skills and mentoring.
We'll be posting updates regularly, with success stories, fund-raising events, and photos from our Hope Houses program!
Project Hope is a non-profit organization dedicated to working with at-risk youths between the ages of 15-20 in NE Portland. These youths face bleak prospects: no education, low wage work, unstable employment, reliance on social services, and possible involvement in the criminal justice system. We provide a comprehensive solution, focusing on the skills needed to make positive, lifelong changes: educational support, occupational training in our jobs program, and life skills and mentoring.
We'll be posting updates regularly, with success stories, fund-raising events, and photos from our Hope Houses program!
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