Wow! We have been busy. The following is an excerpt from the report for the Church Conference tonight. We'll be posting a monthly breakdown of highlighted accomplishments tomorrow. I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I enjoyed putting it all together.
Let me know what you think!
See ya online,
Gayle
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If you Google "rape recovery" you'll find Hope for Healing.org in the coveted Number 1 position. This is only possible by a great group of online and offline volunteers who give of themselves so freely. Our groups and webrings are also Number 1 in their categories. Total hits are in the millions annually.
Locally, Hope for Healing.Org has made great strides. Awareness raisers such as Mardi Gras Night, the spring craft show, Milk and Cookies with Santa and other events have done much to raise public awareness of our work.
Some of our crowning achievements of the past year have included
· Opening of the community clothing closet.
· February 2006, brought our first regularly scheduled part-time employee.
· In the spring, a joint, three way partnership between Hope for Healing.Org, Strawberry Plains United Methodist Church and Family and Children's Services brought parenting classes to Strawberry Plains for the first time.
Locally, the people in Strawberry Plains face many challenges.
The latest census data reveals:
· 54% of the students at Rush Strong School, only 2 blocks from our office, are on free or reduced lunch.
· 25% of the households in the area around our office have at least one disabled family member.
· Per capita income is among the lowest found in Jefferson County or bordering Knox County.
Increased awareness leads to increased demand for services.
We are seeing an increased number of people who do not have a GED, are on disability and who are suffering from general poverty.
From January 1—September 1
124 people were served through the clothing closet
58 of those served came in August.
In August 2006 we held our first Angel Food Distribution.
7 units were ordered.
In September 84 units were ordered.
To meet the need we continue to reach out to the community we serve.
Our board of directors is strengthening ties with area churches. We have been assisted by First Baptist of Strawberry Plains and members of Strawberry Plains Presbyterian. At our September Angel Food Distribution we will welcome a group of volunteers from Carson Newman College. We hope to attract more volunteers from Carson Newman by displaying at their community mission fair later in September. High school and middle school guidance counselors are also referring students to us and we look forward to receiving more volunteers.
Financially, Hope for Healing.Org is searching for grant money while continuing to sell on eBay and at the Heritage Crafts Mall. We continue to collect ink jet cartridges and register Food Lion Shopper Cards. Space is being sought locally for a thrift store.
Retail space is both in short supply and expensive, but we have found a possibility and are working hard to make it a reality.
Volunteers continue to be at the core of everything we achieve. We are grateful for the dedicated team of people who give of themselves to make Hope for Healing.Org what it is today. We never failed to be humbled and inspired by those who freely meet the needs of the clients we serve.
On behalf of our clients we thank you for all of the support you give be it time, prayers or financial.
We couldn't do it without you!
Respectfully submitted by Gayle Crabtree, Founder and Executive Director of Hope for Healing.Org
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