Hope House Newsletter

"Every child deserves a safe and nurturing environment while pursuing a full education…."

Volume 1 - Issue 1

In this issue:

 Presidents Comments  Welcome To The House  HH Director Recognized

Myrtle Beach SC

March 1, 2019

Hope House President’s Comments Hope House strives to insure a community based support system which will give disadvantaged teens the shelter and security they need to graduate from high school and develop their career goals.

Your support amounts to more than dollars, and donated items.

Your gesture also encourages a struggling teen to achieve and know someone believes in him or her. Thank you for investing in these very determined students.

 Dear Hope House Friends  Hope House Installs Board  Resolution Run 2019  Hurricane Relief Aid  Nike Donation  Jersey Mike’s Fundraiser

Welcome To The House Our mission at the Hope House of Myrtle Beach is to provide a healthy environment for registered Myrtle Beach High School students who are designated homeless or otherwise burdened by circumstances beyond their control and who are actively completing their academic requirements to receive a high school diploma.

October 16, 2018 HH Director Recognized Hope House, Board of Director Towanda McClary recognized as the HCS Tech Innovator of the Month at Myrtle Beach High. Congratulations Towanda we thank you for your outstanding work.

Dear Hope House Friends We've been busy at Myrtle Beach High and the new year has gotten off to a good start for Hope House. Our Annual Meeting took place on February 12th and we heard an impressive record of the 2018 accomplishments from out President in her Annual Report. This you can find published on our web site at www.hopehouseofmyrtlebeach.org by clicking the About Us tab and then clicking Board of Directors.

Our regular undertakings which includes depending upon the MBHS Guidance Department for steering the students in need to Hope House, have kept us busy. It is important to encourage these students in a very private way to sign up with both the Federal Free and Reduced Lunch Plan and with the McKenny-Vento Homeless Assistance Act when applicable Continued On Next Page 1

The first offers free or reduced lunch to those eligible according to guidelines at schools participating. Annual adjustments are required. These students, in fact, have a running account throughout the year and when they are unable to pay accordingly, Hope House picks up their balances. The second is a United States Federal Law that provides federal money for homeless shelter programs. It is a self reporting act which puts the onus on the student to follow through. Many are embarrassed and reticent to do so.

And the teachers, staff and, particularly, our Guidance Department are a lifeline in these situations. The McKinney-Vento Act states that youth who lack "a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence" will be considered homeless. In most cases when we have identified an unaccompanied youth we are able to put them with a Seahawk Family. That, usually, is a family who has, or has had, teens in Myrtle Beach High. We give a monthly stipend to the family to make our student feel less obligated. Most of our students who are McKinney-Vento are not unaccompanied. We currently have around 50, 10 of whom are Unaccompanied Youth.

These numbers change constantly throughout the year for a variety of reasons and each new school year requires the student to self report again.

Your participation in Hope House, though it is not on the scene, is vital in both public awareness and contributions. The numbers of homeless students in every state across our country is stunning. Your helping to spread the word about this condition in Myrtle Beach brings these youth into the spotlight. These are the citizens of tomorrow. And we need to give them the opportunity of a great high school experience; so that they might step off into the world more determined to be a contributing part of society. Hope House working through the Guidance Department at Myrtle Beach High School allows us to collaborate with licensed professionals and avoid any liability issues. Hope House students are watched over carefully. We provide them with all the support we can in every way we can. Right now we are looking forward to the Prom on March 29 at the House of Blues. We'll make sure each student who wishes to attend will have a paid ticket and be outfitted to the nines!

Thank you so much for being part of our mission, HHMB Board of Directors

Hope House Installs New Board of Directors For 2019

Officers

Directors Director - Azaria Bennett Director - Alfreda Funnye Director - Randy Jennings Director - Towanda McClary Director - Justin Michal Director = Bennett Turner

President - Mary (Cookie) Goings - Co-Founder Past President - Gretchen Abney - Co-Founder Vice President - Sharlene Zwing Treasurer- Jackie Park Secretary– Zanthia Bennett

We would like to congratulate our new members, Jackie Park, Justin Michal & Bennett Turner

The Seahawk Whispers is a newsletter produced by Hope House of Myrtle Beach and will be published quarterly thought out the year. A digital version of this newsletter is available at www.hopehouseofmyrtlebeach.org

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Thank You To Our Corporate Sponsors And Fundraiser's

January 31, 2019 - Resolution Run

Members of the Hope House Board of Directors were on hand at the 2019 Resolution Run, a 5K run held by our community sponsor, The Anchor Café, at Grand Dune. The directors were passing out water and directing runners on the course. They were also available after the race at the annual luncheon to enlighten participants on the work of Hope House of Myrtle Beach.

September 25, 2018 - Hurricane Relief Aid · Hope House directors were delighted to partner with the City of Myrtle Beach, Mt. Olive AME Church, Myrtle Beach schools teachers and administrators, city and community volunteers, and local restaurants to serve more than 500 affected by Hurricane Florence. Hope house joined in purchasing and serving almost 3,000 both lunch and dinner to those in need. With schools closed, students who received both free and reduced lunches are often unable to get healthy meals. Meals were delivered to homes, hotel rooms and served at the church in an effort to reach a great those students.

November 26, 2018 - Nike Donation Thank you to Nike Factory Store at Tanger Outlets on Hwy 501 for their very generous donation of over 100 pairs of shoes. A huge bequest valued at $5,000! The abundant variety of sizes and styles donated afforded students at three Myrtle Beach schools to receive new shoes at a very timely part of the year…

Christmas. And the enthusiasm of the entire team at Nike didn’t stop there, after hearing about the ‘Hope House Needs List’ teammates and coaches gathered items of want to assist further. Hope House Vice President, Sharlene Zwing said, “We are extreemly grateful for the partnership with Nike, and look forward to a continued relationship. Through the efforts of Nike’s entire team, Hope House not only thrives, fulfilling a real need, but student’s walk away beaming with their new kicks.” ·

Nov. 14, 2018 - Jersey Mike's Subs Thank you to Jean Saad, Joshua McCullen, and Phillip Saad of Jersey Mike's Subs for being a partner in making sure students at Myrtle Beach High School who are designated homeless have a healthy environment to receive a high school diploma! With this partnership Hope House was the recipient of $2,500 made by Jersey Mikes from the grand opening of their newest store in the Grande Dunes at 7955 N. Kings Hwy. The funds were received through guest purchases at the store over the first three days of the opening, with a minimum donation of $2 for a free sub of their choice. Thank you also to the community for embracing this generous offer and purchasing subs during the grand opening. Joining in the celebration, Hope House board of directors gathered at the restaurant on the first day of the opening to enjoy a delicious sub, fellowship and to meet everyone from both the local and corporate team of Jersey Mikes. Hope House also thanks the gracious CPA who recommended Hope House to be a beneficiary. This is how the community supports each other!! We look forward to further partnerships with this group.

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