|
|
|
|
The Founder’s Heart
Grace and Greetings,
Although I’ve read many times this insightful verse found in Ecclesiastes 9:11, I never quite understood it as profoundly expressed in the New Living Translation which reads: “I have observed something under the sun. The fastest runner doesn’t always win the race, and the strongest warrior doesn’t always win the battle. The wise sometimes go hungry, and the skillful are not necessarily wealthy. And those who are educated don’t always lead successful lives. It is all decided by chance, by being in the right place at the right time.
Recently, I received a call from a mother recovering from homelessness and struggling to get back on her feet. She had a fifteen-year-old daughter with cerebral palsy that underwent multiple surgeries. As a result, this devoted mom was unable to neither work nor fulfill her goal of completing nursing school. She had no other choice but to ‘pause for the cause’ and care for her daughter who could no longer attend school. Thusly, of no fault of her own, timing and circumstances hindered her from accomplishing her career goal and life-long dream of becoming a nurse.
As I begin to ponder my many blessings I realized that but for God’s grace… there go I! We are all given opportunity to stand at the start line, face the wind and compete for the prize. However, our fate is the ultimate factor of how we finish; or whether or not we finish strong. For in this life we may choose to walk, jog or sprint towards the goal. And though we will, with certainty, get distracted, detoured and delayed… it doesn’t mean we’ve been denied! So despite a course full of life’s setbacks and stumbling blocks we must believe that we are conquerors who cannot be defeated—unless we give up or give in.
Lovingly and graciously,
Carolyn A. Watson
|
|
|
|
|
Pearl of the Quarter
When asked what seven-year-old, Ryan Porter, thought of his mother, this bubbly and bright second grader who loves math giggled and whispered, “Pretty and beautiful!” Laura Porter is a proud mother indeed and her only son simply adores her. And it was Laura’s love and concern for Ryan that compelled her to move to Atlanta, Georgia, and leave behind the surmounting violence of Chicago, IL. Her primary focus was to seek a better life for herself and her son. However, when her job ended and unemployment ran out, she was unable to maintain her rent and eviction was next in line.
With no place else to go, Laura and Ryan moved into Hagar’s House and resided there for approximately four months. Since her motto is always “think positive” she felt favored to have a roof overhead during this time of struggle. “I was blessed with something that many there didn’t have—a support system.” Laura explained. “I truly learned that God, alone, is my provider…” she continued.
Today, Laura is thriving in her new title as Parent Educator. Like her primary role in Ryan’s life as mother and teacher, she also loves working with other parents and helping them become ‘first teachers’ of their children as well. While sitting at her dining room table Laura tearfully expressed how grateful she is. “When H.O.M.E. came to my door it meant so much to get the help. After they left, I looked around—and it was truly home! My heart was full… and still is."
The H.O.M.E. Team
Proudly Congratulates
LAURA PORTER
as our 'Pearl of the Quarter'
|
|
|
|
|
|
H.O.M.E. gives Hope!!
|
|
|
|
'H.O.M.E. For The Holidays'
|
|
|
|
Ladies, make plans to come… ‘H.O.M.E. for the Holidays!’ Join us on Saturday, December 10, 2016 for our final fundraiser of the year. The cold wintery months are quickly approaching and it’s during this time that our purchase of new mattresses sky rocket! H.O.M.E. for the Holidays is one way you can “give back” by buying one ticket—to help provide one bed—for one child at a time! Invite your mom, sister, daughter or girlfriend and let’s make the season bright for families less fortunate. Celebrity Judge Penny Brown Reynolds will join forces with H.O.M.E. to make this years’ tea social one for the ages!
Purchase your ticket today… and help provide a bed for a child tomorrow!
|
|
|
HOW CAN I HELP YOU ASK?
HERE'S A FEW WAYS...
|
|
|
|
Georgia Gives Day 2016
November 17th is Georgia Gives Day and it’s just around the corner! The H.O.M.E. Team needs your financial support, and your help to bring awareness to our work in the community. Please donate to our efforts on Georgia Gives Day OR lend a helping hand by pledging to become a H.O.M.E. fundraiser! Just visit https://www.gagivesday.org/c/GGD/a/home2heart and sign up. Also ask friends, family and co-workers to contribute to this great cause! If fundraising is not for you… No Worries! You can help by making a one-time contribution to impact the lives of less fortunate mothers and children in need. Join The H.O.M.E. Team and let’s make the world a better place!
|
|
|
Hot Off the Press!!!
If you’ve never purchased a copy of Zoe Life ~ A Daily Devotional you are missing a treat! Co-authored by our very own, Carolyn A. Watson, this thought-provoking compilation is filled with real-life stories to encourage and empower you for another day’s journey! Purchase your 2017 copy or gift one for a friend today! 100% of the proceeds will help a Single Mothers to endure.
Be Encouraged… Be Inspired…
Be a Blessing! http://facetoflife.20m.com
|
|
|
|
Shop at Kroger
Share with H.O.M.E.
There are BIG and small ways that you can contribute to H.O.M.E. By signing up and using your Kroger Plus Card, you can help us… help others! Simply go online and register your Kroger card under our nonprofit number: 50678. Helping Oppressed Mothers Endure, Inc. will receive the benefits through their Kroger Community Rewards Program. Every time you shop and swipe your Kroger Plus Card, H.O.M.E. will receive a small financial contribution! Remember to shop at Kroger and share with H.O.M.E.!!
https://www.kroger.com/account/enrollCommunityRewardsNow
|
|
|
|
IN THE NEWS...
ONE PEARL AT A TIME
|
|
H.O.M.E. receives its first award! Thanks to The Nonprofit Trinity Awards, Helping Oppressed Mothers Endure, Inc. was nominated and rewarded the Charity Award for 2016! We are humbled that God’s blessings continue to rain down, so we are honored to continue sending all praises up!!! To learn more about the Nonprofit Trinity Awards visit: http://www.nonprofittrinityawards.org. |
|
|
|
Champion Newspaper
DeKalb County’s Champion News and Horace Holloman reports, ‘H.O.M.E. lends a hand to single mothers in need.’ There are many stories that Mr. Holloman could have elected to write about, but we are truly grateful that he chose to feature the work and mission of H.O.M.E. While our primary focus is always on single mothers and children who need a helping hand… it does our hearts proud to be acknowledged for meaningful service to our community and beyond. Thanks a million! To read the entire article, click on the link below:
http://thechampionnewspaper.com/news/local/h-o-m-e-lends-a-helping-hand-to-single-mothers-in-need/ |
|
|
|
'H.O.M.E. lends a hand to single mothers in need'
|
|
|
‘Passionate Partners’ Spotlight
|
|
|
Mary Hall Freedom House
~Steps to Freedom~
H.O.M.E. was in the House! What FUN we had supporting the first annual 5K walk ‘Steps to Freedom!’ We gathered, walked, danced and celebrated the battles and bravery of women recovering from addiction. Each step represented success… one day at a time! Thanks for inviting H.O.M.E. to your house Mary Hall!
|
|
|
|
Recycle Decatur!
Toasters, and televisions, and microwaves… OH MY!!! A special shout out to the City of Decatur for their HUGE recycling initiative! Hundreds drove by to drop off used electronics and to show the importance of recycling for a greater good.
|
|
|
Thanks to the kindness of staff and volunteers in Downtown Decatur who set aside a generous truck load of electronics to donate to H.O.M.E. We can’t thank them enough for replenishing H.O.M.E.’s inventory with small appliances, electronics and more!
|
|
|
|
Heart of South DeKalb Festival 2016
H.O.M.E. was thrilled to participate in this year’s Heart of the South festival at North DeKalb Mall! We would be remiss if we did not say ‘Thank You’ to all government officials, fire fighters and police officers who protect and serve the community. H.O.M.E. applauds and appreciates your daily sacrifice. It was indeed a privilege to be a part of this positive spirit of public recognition.
Together, WE are helping hands… helping others!!
|
|
|
|
Board + Balance = Brilliance
H.O.M.E. takes pride in having the BEST Board Members on the planet! While we are still growing by leaps and bounds, we are confident that God is sending servants to enlarge our territory. With this in mind, please join us in welcoming, Ms. Tracey Isom, to our Board of Directors! Tracey has been a faithful supporter of H.O.M.E. from day one. As an Environmental Emergency Response Auditor in her day-to-day profession, she is well aware of what it takes to build bridges and help others get a fair chance in life. Tracey has a heart for helping people and can personally relate to the challenges of being a single mother striving for success. We are thankful that she will join The H.O.M.E. Team as her passion, talent and commitment goes beyond words. As a valued member of the team we cheer and scream … Welcome Aboard, Tracey!!
|
|
|
Come H.O.M.E Friends…. We Need YOU!
H.O.M.E. Heros ~ Become One!
“The harvest is plentiful… but the workers are few.” Matthew 9:27
Become an H.O.M.E. Hero by donating to the cause! Don’t have spare furniture? Consider helping with a gift of financial support of ANY amount. All donations are tax deductible. Together, let’s sew in love and give as we have been blessed to those less fortunate. Here’s how:
- Make a monthly contribution or a one-time financial gift of ANY amount
- Donate new or gently used furniture and home décor
- Purchase our featured item(s) of the quarter: Silverware
It takes A Village to Raise a Child and a Community of Givers to
Help Single Mothers in Need
|
|
|
|
Thanks for Celebrating 2!
Our 2-Year Anniversary celebration was outstanding!!! Hat’s off to Chef K. of Sweet Potato Café for providing a wonderful assortment of southern cuisine. Special thanks to Fannie Cakes Bakery who baked our anniversary cake with love. Then, we topped off the afternoon with all that jazz by the incomparable saxophonist, Derwin Daniels. Last, but certainly not least, to all who attended and faithfully support us… YOU ROCK!! Pictures are worth a thousand words so visit:
|
|
|
|
|
