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From Our House to Yours October 2011
From Our Houseto Yours October 2011
cover photo: Antonio goes pumpkin-picking with VISTA John Wyatt.opposite page: Katy Grennier, Youth Programs Coordinator, helps the kids try on Halloween costumes.
All photos by Amanda Woods, an Our House VISTA, except:pages 12 & 13 by Amber Hood, Volunteer Relations VISTA
Corrections to our September issue:Sharon Yates earned her undergraduate degree at William Woods University and her PhD at the University of Kansas.Board member Chris Schaffhauser’s name was misspelled.
302 E Roosevelt Rd; Little Rock AR www.ourhouseshelter.org
From the Director
Resident Jason Otis
Back to school, in the words of a 7-year-old resident
Volunteer Joseph Cherry, Summit Home School Group
October 22nd is Family Volunteer Day!
Cyclists ride for Our House
Tie One On is December 1st
Our House gets ready for Halloween
Thanks: Caterpillar, ACCESS, & Men’s Wearhouse
Celebrating the life of Hugh P. King
September donors
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The Our Club kids got to shop for their own Halloween costumes this year!10
All photos by Amanda Woods, an Our House VISTA, except:pages 12 & 13 by Amber Hood, Volunteer Relations VISTA
Corrections to our September issue:Sharon Yates earned her undergraduate degree at William Woods University and her PhD at the University of Kansas.Board member Chris Schaffhauser’s name was misspelled.
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The Our Club kids got to shop for their own Halloween costumes this year!
from the executive director
What makes a house a home is the life that is lived inside of it. The symbols of this life reflected on the walls and the halls remind our visitors that people call this home. Our House is not just a program or a place where people come for help. It is a community, and it is a home.
It is a beautiful and unique experience to come to this home, this place of life, each day for work. I cannot imagine anywhere else that would feel the same.
There are often reminders that this is not just a shelter: the sign at the gate proclaiming, “It’s a Baby Boy,” and the crowd of residents and staff hovering to take their turn to hold our newest and youngest resident or the hole in the wall where one of our 9-year-olds couldn’t wait to get outside to ride his scooter. Even at a memorial — set up here at Our House in the dining room of the Shelter — I was overwhelmed by how much life is lived here in this home. One of our residents, Hugh King, passed away in his sleep. We mourned the loss of one of us, who had called Our House his home.
On this Friday night, as our residents and staff remembered Hugh, the stories were all about life. How Hugh would give quarter stipends to the children. How just this week Hugh had given one
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little girl an extra amount so she would have enough to buy a smoothie. The men talked about life in the dorm — trying to sleep and the lights being turned on. Hugh grumbling something about that from his bed. They talked about lifting weights on the bench press in the back. Hugh was a strong man, despite his age. One story involved a man who prays out loud each morning for an hour. He goes into the bathroom to pray so he won’t wake up the other guys, though sometimes the Shelter Supervisor has to come in and tell him to quiet it down a little. This was a story of two men — Hugh and David — and the conversa-tion they had about God. Hugh King’s family came — his cousins and his grown son. A young boy from Our House gave Hugh’s son a letter. It was four pages long and addressed to Mr. Hugh King. Mr. King brought kindness, humor, and life to Our House. Our children, our men, our women, our staff — we all knew Hugh as one of us. Hugh was one of those people who made Our House into a home.
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When Jason Otis, a native of the Arkansas Delta, moved into Our House, he found change, growth, and hope. Referred to the shelter by a friend at the Compassion Center, Jason had been told that life at Our House came with restrictions, but he thought the requirements would be ideal for him.
Since Jason began the Our House program, he has acquired a job and started saving money for his future. Jason regularly attends the Learning Center and, because of his hard work, has improved four grade levels on his test of Adult Basic Education. He partici-pates in workforce training, which includes computer-based learning, practice job interviews and on-the-job experiences. Already he has earned his Employability Certificate through the state-acccredited Workforce Alliance for Growth in the Economy program. Jason is honest about his past problems, but he says that he now depends on his relationship with God to stay sober and at peace.
profile: Jason Otis
by Zadie, 7-year-old resident
On my first day of school, I got to wear a new dress that I got from Ms. Katy. It was blue! I was nervous on my first day of second grade. I got to meet some new friends. We had art class and made faces out of paper. It was very fun. We had hamburgers for lunch. I had the same bus driver as last year. She is nice. My favorite class is art. I love school. I am seven.
After school I go to Our Club. We have 20 kids in Our Club. Yesterday we learned about India and that they make Rangolis. Rangolis are pictures made of chalk in front of houses to welcome guests. Two days ago we made spaghetti and sucked down the noodles. Some of my friends put too much salt on the garlic bread, and we couldn’t eat it. My favorite thing about Our Club is when City Year comes and helps us read. Reggie helped me read. Reggie’s hair was black.
back to school
Last Spring, after hearing about Our House from his dad, 17-year-old Joseph Cherry organized his own volunteer group. The group of 5- to 17-year-old homeschoolers from Summit Church prepares and serves lunch to our residents twice a month.
“I really like the people that work and live at Our House and how organized they are,” Joseph says. “I continue to be impressed that Our House not only provides a place for people to stay, but also provides a way for them to get back on their feet in a positive envi-ronment.”
The kids do most of the work themselves, with parents like Joseph’s mom supervising. “What an awesome thing to see kids of all ages coming together to cook, serve, and help out where they can.”
After finishing in the kitchen, the kids take their service to the dining room, offering drink refills and homemade cookies.
Joseph says, “my favorite part about volunteering at Our House is getting to know the people who live there. They’re always very appreciative and encouraging to me and the others that volunteer. I come away from serving feeling very encouraged.”
volunteer Joseph Cherry
Sponsor Cyclists for Our House
Cyclists Joe Maneiro and Don Gaines have planned a bike ride from Little Rock to Memphis to raise money for Our House. The ride is scheduled for November 3rd to 5th. The cyclists are accepting sponsorhips for this event. All funds go to Our House. To sponsor their ride, contact Don at 501-827-9037 or [email protected]
volunteer Joseph Cherry
get involved
Family Volunteer Day
Saturday, October 22 9 a.m. to 11:30 [email protected]
Family Volunteer Day will be a fun family event, and all ages are welcome. It will be a great opportunity for families to learn about Our House and to experience volunteering together.
Still looking for your Halloween costume?
Help us by recycling last year’s costume. Donate it at either My Favorite Thrift Store location.
Last year’s costume still hanging around?
109 N. Van Buren St.Little Rock353-0642
4606 JFK Blvd.North Little Rock246-5741
thanks!
Men’s Wearhouse
Men’s Wearhouse hosted a month-long men’s suit drive for Our House. Customers were encouraged to bring their gently-used suits to Men’s Wearhouse in exchange for a discount. Our residents were thankful to have a nice suit to wear to interviews.
ACCESSVolunteers from ACCESS helped put together welcome packets for our residents.
Help us by recycling last year’s costume. Donate it at either My Favorite Thrift Store location.
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Caterpillar
Volunteers from Caterpillar spent a Saturday morning at Our House sprucing up our flower beds and gardens and repairing a fence. They also built and installed a new recycling station to keep our campus clean and green.
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We are saddened by the loss of a cherished Our House community member, Hugh P. King. He was greatly loved and respected by his family, friends, and peers.
Each morning Hugh would set out on his bicycle, headed toward work and a life of inde-pendence. Through hard work and dedication, he was able to accomplish almost every goal he had set for himself. He had obtained a steady job, paid off debt, gotten his driver’s license, and purchased a vehicle.
Hugh’s kindness and humor were infectious. He was always quick to tell a joke and offer encouragement. He was particularly loved by the Our House children and gave many of them a 25¢ weekly allowance.
Hugh passed away in his sleep, surrounded by the loving friends who had become his family. He will live on in the memories of the many individuals whose lives he touched.
June 17, 1955 – September 13, 2011
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Individuals
Annie AbramsSusan AckleyAnonymous donorJoe CrispSusan & Michael DeselleTanya D. GilesBetti & Lynn HamiltonSarah & Theodore HoodAmanda HughesMartin JensenBettye & Arthur KernsTiffany & John LindseyCathy & Michael MoranEvelyn RoseChris SchaffhauserPam St. ClairBridget & Andrew UpchurchHardy WinburnJodi WoodsSharon YatesY.W.T. & C. YeungLawrence Young
August Donors
Congregations
Cathedral of St. AndrewChristian Science SocietyChurch of the Immaculate ConceptionOur Lady of Holy Souls Catholic ChurchSt. Anne Catholic ChurchSt. James United Methodist ChurchSt. Luke’s Episcopal ChurchUnitarian Universalist Church
Organizations
American Assoc. of Critical Care Nurses
Corporations
GE Foundation
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