Friday, October 30, 2009

HopeTree on TV

   The last week of October started off with a great appearance on 'Rise and Shine'; a cable television program produced in Franklin County for the Jet Broadband cable system. This program appears on Jet Broadband in counties stretching from Franklin to Appomatox to the New River Valley. Hosted by Dick Shoemaker, 'Rise and Shine' gives businesses and agencies in the region a great chance to present information about their efforts to the local communities.
   On the 26th, Michelle Folden Wright, HopeTree's Senior Director of Social Services, former resident Jennifer, and Communications Dirctor Mark Early sat down with Mr. Shoemaker to discuss not only HopeTree's residential programs, but it's educational offerings as well. Most impressive was Jennifer's descriptions of how HopeTree was able to give her the life assistance she needed during her 'teen years' and then help her with her college education. After graduating from Salem High School, Jennifer attended Virginia Western Community College, then transferred to Radford University to earn not only her Bachelor's degree, but her Master's degree in Social Work. Jennifer is currently employed as a social worker in the Roanoke Valley and leading a very productive life.
   It's stories like Jennifer's we hope to share with the community through our publications, website, Facebook page, and this blog. Your help with this effort would be greatly appreciated. Please share our blog and Facebook pages with your friends and family. The more we tell people about what we can do, the more people we are likely to reach who may need our services.
   Thank you for spreading the word about orr mission. If you have Jet Broadband in Central or Southwest Virginia, look us up this weekend. We just may be on in your area.

Friday, October 23, 2009

How you can help HopeTree

  We often get asked "How can I help HopeTree?" Some people take up a collection at their church. Some people donate items on our needs list. Some people help with our Christmas wishlist. Some start their own walk-a-thon.
  After throwing out several suggestions, sometimes people tell me "I just don't have the time." Welcome to the digital age! With social networking sites like facebook, helping HopeTree just got a whole lot easier. All you have to do is log in to facebook and add HopeTree Family Services as your cause (if you don't have an account, sign up! It's free!). Then you can recruit other supporters and donate directly to HopeTree through facebook's secure online donation form (I've already recruited 10 people and helped raise $125 this month!).
  So why do I tell you all of this now? Because this month is America's Giving Challenge. Through November 7, America's Giving Challenge will award prizes to charities that generate the most unique donations daily (that's number of donations, not dollar amount. You can give as little as $10!).
  So get out there and find everyone you know that care about helping at-risk youth and adults with intellectual disabilities as much as we do. You don't even have to leave your computer chair.

Friday, October 2, 2009

It feels like fall

  Now that summer is officially over school is in full swing at HopeTree. We now have seven day students at HopeTree Academy on our Salem campus and we expect more as word of the great educational opportunities we offer spreads throughout the region. We also have seven students enrolled at Salem High School and three at Virginia Western Community College.
  Independent Living, which just expanded last March, now has five residents. Independent Living is a great way for our residents to obtain the necessary living skills to enter into the real world and is a great benefit to all residents who enter into the program.
  Our Christian Education Director, Jenny Call, has started a weekly prayer group on campus to pray for the staff and residents of HopeTree. It's the season of change and things seem to be changing for the better as we continue to grow and provide Christian support to those in need.