Parkersburg hosted the Emergency Shelter Provider Network annual conference this past week

We hosted around 60-70 people this week in Parkersburg as the annual conference of our Emergency Shelter Provider Network met for three days of workshops and sessions at the Blennerhassett Hotel. Our local staff of the shelter and site participated and we had highlighted some of our strong partnerships with key stakeholders throughout some of the sessions.

Stacey Earle and Mark Stuart concert supports the Truancy Diversion program

Two very enjoyable traveling folk singers put on a benefit concert Thursday night for our Truancy Diversion program. It was held at the Alexander Parker room of the Blennerhassett Hotel, a classy setting for a wonderful night of music. Stacey Earle and Mark Stuart have been here twice before to put on "house concerts" (small, intimate setting musical performances) and they seem to enjoy our hospitality. Jessica Cruit, our truancy diversion worker at Vandevender Middle School, will utilize the proceeds for incentives and motivations for students, as well as general support of the program. Stacey and Mark weave some fascinating stories, with humor and humbleness, and their harmony and lyrics and guitar playing are mesmerizing.

Neighborhood Day

Yesterday we held our 5th annual Neighborhood Day here at the Mid Town Family Resource Center, the Parkersburg site of CHS. The weather was beautiful (a bit hot, but a cool start to the day, anyway!) We had great volunteer help from many good supporters. The families seemed to have a great time. We provided a good opportunity for families to feel supported and given access to resources. We began these events to tie into a national recognition of the importance of neighborhoods, that we found out was annually held on the 3rd weekend of September. We have pretty much kept to a similar format, but have received new support each year from different church and community sponsors. Homeland Community Church and St. Andrews United Methodist were the particularly strong supporters this year. Many community businesses give donations. The NJROTC students from PHS under the Leadership of Glen Rickart, were once again, the primary volunteers, and do a great job. We'll see if some pictures emerge from various folks involved yesterday.

Notice of fund raising effort by Early Childhood programs!

PARK IN THE LOT FOR THE TOTS !

The BIG GAME of South vs Big Reds is Oct 8. It is both cross country and football contests that night. Park your car in the parking lot of Children's Home Society for a low price of $3 and it is only a couple of blocks to the staduim, you can even stop along the way to cheer on the cross counetry runners as they approach the staduim. All proceeds benefit the early Childhood programs at the Children's Home Society in Parkersburg.

Labor Day weekend

Things slow down a bit here at CHS-Parkersburg over a holiday weekend, as many staff take well deserved rests/ breaks from their dedicated work with area children and families. We look ahead to Neighborhood Day, the Emergency Shelter Provider Network conference we are in effect, hosting next week. A folk music coffee house next week also, featuring Stacey Earle and Mark Stuart. Then on into the full tilt fall schedule of things. The charity golf tournament for the WE CAN program is coming up October 2nd. We are waiting to hear about a couple of major grants we have submitted, which would kick us into high gear, gearing up some additional programming to augment our mission and local strategic vision. The shelter has a licensing review this fall. We try to stabilize our financial situation for the early childhood programming. We will be replacing our foster care aide position, as Greg moves over to the Shelter. We are continuing planning of the major fund raising event in November in conjunction with the Art Center. The Americana Music Tribute Series continues with the 8th Annual John Prine Tribute in October, and a raffle for two tickets to see John in Columbus Ohio is going on up to the Tribute benefit.
As always, a bustling hive of activity here at CHS-Parkersburg!!!

Planning is going strong for our November fund raiser

Ashley has been organizing teams and committees of Advisory Council members and staff members for the November stocking display and auction event at the Art Center. Anyone can join in this exciting and important fund raiser and community engagement work for the site. Gathering auction items, soliciting groups or individuals to create stockings, and many other details to make the event a success, are all help that is needed.

TLP program holds CiCi's Pizza benefit night

Lisa and her loyal band of youth worked at CiCi's Pizza Wednesday night to receive the 10% contribution they make to community groups. Lisa hopes to have this be a monthly event to gather funds to support the transitional living program work with homeless youth. This program serves some very intense cases addressing a serious gap in our community to help these young people make a transition to adulthood. There are some poignant stories every day.