Vision House Families Receive Gifts Christmas Eve.

Snow and ice did not stop John Camerer, director of operations from delivering gifts Christmas Eve. to the children living at Vision House. Thanks to so many generous churches, community groups and individuals, all Vision House kids recieved gifts from "Santa". "We feel so blessed by the generosity of so many people," commented Camerer.

Kids Helping Kids

Mother Teresa said, “If you can’t help a hundred, then just help one.”

With the threat of severe winter storms closing in, nothing could be worse than not having a home; possibly sleeping in your car, piled with blankets, trying to keep warm. But Brownie Troop 2370 members, Maddy and Rebecca are going to change all of that for one homeless child. They prepared a room to welcome a child that will be moving in to a new Vision House apartment scheduled for completion January 15th, 2009. Friends, family and other troop members donated cash, furniture and bedding while the girls provided the elbow grease. “Their hard work has created a beautiful space where a formerly homeless child will feel safe and secure, probably for the first time in a long time,” commented Susan Camerer, Vision House Executive Director. Camerer also stated, “I think they showed incredible leadership, getting so many community members involved in the project. Their families should feel very proud.” To read more stories from our residents, please go to http://www.vision-house.org/vh_residents.htm

An Encouraging Christmas Story

With all of the discouraging news about our economy, foreclosures and job loss, I want to share a positive story. For the past several years, Vision House has been able to provide a wonderful Christmas party for our kids complete with toys, games, crafts and treats. At the same time we send the moms out for a special holiday dinner. However, like many non-profits this year, there is an increase in the need for services but fewer resources to try to meet those needs. We have had to make some very painful cuts in staffing and to our program. Considering these sacrifices, I began to wonder if the annual Christmas party was justified expense. We don't spend a lot of money on it, but every penny counts this year. But yesterday a local church delivered tons of toys for all of our kids, a local company made a cash contribution and (without being solicited) a local restaurant asked if they could host our moms for dinner! It was such a blessing seeing the kids receive gifts and the joy that they felt after dealing with the stress and trauma of homelessness. I felt encouraged and blessed!! You can check out some pictures of the Christmas party at www.flickr.com/visionhouse

Another Story That Brings Joy to my Heart!

Last year, Sheila wrote: "Thank you so much for making our Christmas here so wonderful. I was very stressed out wondering how I could make ends meet and make this holiday season as normal as possible for my children." "Being homeless is heartbreaking enough for my kids. When I walked into my unit and saw all of the gifts strategically placed amongst my bed, I cried. I was so overwhelmed, shocked, and elated. Watching my children open the presents was the best gift that I could ever receive and I thank all of you at Vision House including donors and volunteers for that."
For more information about the great work Vision House does with homeless kids, please visit our website at www.vision-house.org

A Story of Christmas Joy!

Because of people like you, last year Sandy wrote:

Dearest Vision House,

My family and I want to send our deepest gratitude to you and everyone who blessed us through the holiday season.

Looking back just one year ago, I could see me and my children very excited about the holidays and all of the wonderful aspects surrounding them. However, prior to this holiday season I found myself almost forgetting those feelings and having a sense of dread about what was upcoming. You can never predict yourself as being homeless and struggling to be cheerful so my children won’t have to see me depressed was a daily chore and I wasn’t sure how I was going to hold up for Christmas.

The girls and I were so overwhelmed this year with all of the support and generosity that we received. To see my children’s face light up on Christmas morning made me forget about this hard period in our lives and helped me find again that wonderful feeling of how blessed we truly are, and what our faith in the Lord really means. He is my strongest support system and I am so grateful to everyone He has surrounded me with. To visually see strangers give of their time, energy and hope to us has left me so fulfilled with faith love and understanding for me and my family. I can now finally see a positive outcome to this hard and painful time in our lives and I can finally say and believe that “we will be ok.”

I may never be able to show how much gratitude I have towards everyone who helped us this holiday season, by please know that you are truly a blessing in me and my children’s lives and the impact you have made will never be forgotten. God bless.

Yes, Times are Tough. But there is Hope!

Times are tough, especially for mothers and their children who find themselves homeless because they’re escaping domestic violence, have lost a job, or have lost their home due to foreclosure or the inability to pay rent. However, Vision House makes a difference in the lives of homeless moms and kids – the difference between spending the night in a cold car or sleeping in a warm bed; between going hungry or having nutritious meals. Over the past 18 years, Vision House has helped more than 550 homeless women, children and men in south King County rebuild their lives. You can help! Make a contribution via PayPal on our secure website: http://www.nohomelesskids.org/, forward this blog to others and help get the word out to support homeless moms and kids.

I’m grateful for your support and belief in the Vision House. Together we’ll help homeless families rebuild their lives so they can achieve self sufficiency and a better way of life.

Calls we Received

A woman in her 20’s called in tears. She had been calling shelters all morning with no success. She is a single mother of 2 and will have no place to live as of tomorrow at 11 am.

A woman living with her boyfriend, the father of her newborn twins. The boyfriend had given notice at their apartment, leading the mother to believe that the whole family would be moving together. Instead, he left her with 2 infants, no apartment, no money, and nowhere to go.

A single mother with 3, 5 and 6 year old has been homeless for 8 months. She has a problem getting housing as she has an eviction on her credit report a couple of years prior. She was living in a downtown shelter when she called.

A woman with a 4 ½ year old had been living on the streets for 3 weeks.

A woman with 5 children ages 1, 4, 5, 7 & 9 left her abusive husband and fled Arizona. She can’t find any place that will take that many children

Chaplain called to help a mom with 3 children. Their house burned down and they’re in need of temporary housing.

To see how these stories end and to be inspired by resident success stories, please visit our website at: http://www.vision-house.org/vh_residents.htm