Our Volunteer Youth Bash 2007 was a roaring success! The terrific folks with DJ Express did another excellent job. A big thank you goes to James Mize owner of DJ Express for all his support! He's becoming a legend here in Strawberry Plains. The kids really put him to the test as they kept him busy spinning their favorite hits while they enjoyed the festivities in the hot August sun.Hope for Healing.Org held the get together as a way of saying "Thank You" to all the youth volunteers who have helped the organization in many ways.
Youth volunteers have helped paint the shop, refurbish items, distributed food, hauled away trash, sorted recyclables, folded and sorted clothing, helped with special events such as Christmas parties, fundraisers and more! Since 2004 Hope for Healing.Org has been a certifiying site for the US Presidential Service Awards and serves as a Restorative Justice worksite for juvenile offenders in two counties.
It was up to Summer Youth Coordinator Allie Crabtree to plan the youth party. She contacted each youth saying "Come prepared to get wet!" and come they did. It was smiles and laughter all around as the kids celebrated the many hours well served.
According to Crabtree there was one rule "Don't get the DJ wet!" Good advice considering the kids battled with water balloons and buckets of water.
After the kids finished playing games they enjoyed a cookout of hot dogs with all the trimmings.
The Summer Youth Bash also served as a going away party for the Youth Coordinator. Miss Crabtree was provided to Hope for Healing.Org through a student work opportunity grant from Berea College where she is a student.
An education major, Crabtree leaves next week to resume classes. There, she will take a student position in the music department. Earlier this year she assisted with a first grade class and worked with the middle school band. When asked about her experiences at the college she replied "I love it!"
A gift was given to Crabtree by Martha Moore, former board chair at Hope for Healing.Org, in appreciation of her hard work. "She will be missed all right." Said one volunteer as she dodged a water balloon.
"It's cool to talk to somebody who's done that." Said another youth. "It makes college more real."
Like most of the youth who come to Hope for Healing.Org, Miss Crabtree promises to visit during college vacations as a volunteer.
"There's always so much going on here." She says. "I can't think of being anywhere else."
The organization maintains an excellent track record. According to the organization's blog at http://hopeforhealingorg.blogspot.com/ No Knox County youth offenders have re-entered the Restorative Justice program after coming to Hope for Healing.Org. As for youth from Jefferson County only one child has re-entered the program during the past year.
Hope for Healing.Org is the only social service agency serving all of Strawberry Plains. As a 501c3 nonprofit donations are tax deductable. Volunteers are needed in all areas including teen mentoring, helpline, Angel Food distribution, thrift shop and more. To learn more contact Hope for Healing.Org online or at 933.8769.
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