new CHS Board Member (from Parkersburg) nominated

Barbara Fish has been nominated for the Board of Directors of CHS, and will be voted on at the annual meeting in November as part of the agency's annual conference. Barbara has been a staunch supporter of CHS and the Gustke Shelter for over 20 years. She has been a board member on the state School Board. She is currently on the local advisory council. We are excited to have our local site now represented on the full board of directors.

Parents as Teachers - a new program for us

We are excited to be starting up our Parents as Teachers program soon here at the Parkersburg site. This is a home visiting program, an "in Home Family Education" model program. Throughout the spring, Ann Griffith conducted a planning process and needs assessment and community resource inventory to seek the advisability of beginning such a program. With some possible federal money on the horizon for this, we requested a start up grant from the Sisters of Saint Joseph Charitable Fund, which we have now received! We will be announcing the start up plans soon.

Pressley Ridge White Oak invites shelter to halloween bonfire and haunted trail

Our good friends and partners, Pressley Ridge schools invited the shelter residents and staff to a Halloween event tonight out at Mountwood Park.

Tonight is the Halloween Photo event at Roberts Family Photography

Andi Roberts is hosting a fund raiser for us tonight; a halloween bash at her photography studio, where families can bring their kids for pictures and contests; they will be accepting donations and we are the recipient of that generous event! I'll try to give a report on the event tomorrow.

Mayor Newell comes to Lights On Afterschool

Mayor Bob Newell came to our Lights on After School event Thursday evening at the Mid Town Family Resource Center. He read a proclamation about how valuable quality after school care is to a community. We acknowledged some of the strong supporters and partners of the after school program, and showed an updated slide show of some of the activities of the after school and neighborhood programs. Fred Shreve, principal of McKinley also came to show his support. Lots of announcements of upcoming events were shared, and a great meal was shared by families, staff, and visitors alike.

Weedhawks show - a benefit for our VISTA project

We had old friends, Nick Barry, and the Weedhawks perform a benefit show Friday night at the Sly Fox in downtown Parkersburg. Thanks to the enthusiastic audience that came out to see these great musical acts. The proceeds support our VISTA project here at the Parkersburg site of CHS.

Day of Caring

Yesterday we were greatly honored to have employees of Allegheny Power come to participate in a Day of Caring at our site, from the United Way Alliance (Mid Ohio Valley). They were great, enthusiastic volunteers, working on many electric "minor" but critical issues around the Mid Town Family Resource Center. They replaced lights high up on the ceilings, some ballasts, replaced bulbs in our outdoor light; hung a new foster care recruitment banner, checked smoke and CO2 detectors, and a few other assorted helpful tasks. This was a very productive event, and we very much appreciate the volunteers from Allegheny Power, and their organizers, as well as the United Way for having these sorts of days for the member agencies to receive such valuable help.

John Prine Tribute

The final (regularly scheduled!) benefit in the Americana Music Tribute Series was held last night; to benefit the Transitional Living Program; the 8th annual John Prine Tribute. Lisa, Karen and Marina worked hard to promote the event, sell 50-50 tickets and hawk the other fundraising aspects of the event. A concert in Columbus was the big raffle; going to Matt Starcher, a staunch supporter of the Americana Music series, and a performer himself this evening of some Prine tunes. Thanks to the musicians who put on a great show, despite a disappointing turnout of music fans.

Parking lot fund raiser for early childhood programs

The big intra-city football rivalry; South vs. PHS was held this past Friday night. Vickie organized to have a parking lot for the sold out crowd in our lot. We had a number of people support us in this way, and the EC programs raised about $50. A creative idea and a beautiful evening weather-wise!!!

helping a family out with food

DHHR called at five minutes till 5 pm. A father of three young children was in the office in desparation - no food in the house, laid off a job; his wife just arrested and detained over in Ohio on drug charges. He was ready to turn his kids over to DHHR out of his desparation. They called us, to direct him over here to get some food from our food pantry. He came right over, very appreciative and relieved to receive a box of food appropriate for the kids.

Single Parenting Sessions

Eileen Filozof is leading a series of workshops on Single Parenting at our offices on consecutive Fridays at noon, for 6 sessions. Eileen is a member of our advisory council, and has been very supportive of our site, including the Mid Town Family Resource Center and WE CAN program. Please spread the word of this offer, and if you have any questions, you could direct them to Steve, Lisa Weaver, or directly to Eileen.

Day of Caring

We have been in discussion with the United Way and at least one area business about participating in a community Day Of Caring, October 20th -where employees of an area business help out with a specific project at a local non profit organization. Stay tuned for the details as they get developed.

Little Green Stocking music concert kicks off Little Red Stocking season

The Greens will be the featured performers in our second musical "kick off" to the site's Little Red Stocking campaign, the day after Thanksgiving, November 26th at 6 Pence Pub. We thank the Pub for hosting this event, and we hope they will be a big seller of stockings during the holiday season.

Runaway and Homeless Youth Awareness activities

November will bring a number of activities around homelessness awareness. Stay tuned for updates about specifics; but we will be working with others in the community for a week of activities, including a resource fair and 2nd Reality Walk. We are also have a dinner (the Tuesday of Thanksgiving week) for folks connected to our TLP program, and inviting legislators and other stakeholders.

Lights On Afterschool Day

October 21st is a national day of recognizing after school programs. Here at CHS-Parkersburg we will be participating in this day with a famly night at the Mid Town Family Resource Center, and an invitation to many local supporters and stakeholders to join us in acknowledging the importance of after school program to families. The evening will include a meal for the families and a few remarks and presentations. See Lisa Weaver for details.

John Prine Tribute - this Saturday

The Transitional Living Program at the Parkersburg CHS site will be the beneficiary of the 8th annual John Prine tribute this Saturday at 9 pm at 6 Pence Pub in Parkersburg. This event is local musicians playing sets of songs celebrating the music of John Prine. This is the final event in the 2010 Americana Music Tribute Series, after a successful run of Johnny Cash, Hank Williams, Bob Dylan and Neil Young tributes. Lisa has been running a 50-50 drawing in the time leading up to the tribute show Saturday, and already has over $150 raised. During the event (and still in the time leading up to the event) we are selling raffle tickets to see John Prine himself in concert in Columbus Ohio on October 23rd. These tickets are $5. The Tribute show at 6 Pence promises to be a fun evening of music and a few door prizes and contests. I have accumulated a fun collection of prizes. Come out and support the TLP program.

WE CAN golf tournament

Ashley organized a fund raising golf tournament with a friend involved with the Parkersburg Catholic baseball team, to split the proceeds of a benefit golf scramble. This was held yesterday at Worthington Golf Course; it went off fantastic for a first time event, and we will have the total raised in a day or two after figuring out the costs, etc. There were 20 teams and 17 sponsors, and everything went off without a hitch. Thanks to Ashley for spearheading this new event in our fund raising arsenal- and promoting the WE CAN program to some new supporters in the community. The weather was perfect, the golfers were happy, and the relationship with Worthington Golf Club seemed strong for future events. Thanks to a number of friends and staff who helped volunteer out on the course throughout the event. Look for a follow up post about the proceeds total.