Samuel M. Goldston Teen Philanthropy Project (11)

For the second time Pittsburgh thirteen- and fourteen-year-olds participating in the Samuel M. Goldston Teen Philanthropy Project chose to honor HCEF's work with homeless children. This time their grant of $2,000, representing their own contributions and a matching gift from the Samuel M. Goldston memorial fund, was given in support of the Homeless Children's Network. Project members were Samantha, Justin, Evan, Sam, Sarah, Harrison, Scott, Jesse, Marissa, Zack, Dani, Kaylie, Elizabeth, Jake, and Felicia.

Fox Chapel Area High School (10)
Distinguished Ethnic Society of Indians (DESI)

Every year the DESI Club presents a performance showcasing the rich culture of India through music, dance, food, and discussion, with proceeds contributed to a cause the young people choose. Recognizing that poverty and homelessness are significant obstacles India faces and drawn to HCEF's message of "hope through learning, the group selected HCEF as the beneficiary of the 2009 event. "The DESI club feels fortunate to be able to support your cause especially since we are also passionate about meeting the educational needs of homeless children. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to join you in making a difference in the daily lives of disadvantaged children as well as in their hopes for the future." (See a story of the event on page 3 of the school's June 2009 newspaper FoxTales.)

Photo by Max Kondziolka

Langley High School and Oliver High School (9)
Pittsburgh Young Leaders Academy


Ten teen members of the Academy sponsored by Pittsburgh Cares and United Way of Allegheny County partnered with a like group at Oliver High to provide important resources for children at one of HCEF's partner homeless housing facilities. The Langley students collected books and the Oliver students used money raised from hoagie sales to purchase school supplies.

When the Langley students learned that the walls of a newly constructed and just opened residence had been vandalized, they volunteered to help remove the graffiti. Five of the young people worked on the walls while the other five spent quality time reading with the resident children.

Independence Middle School (8)
6th Graders

Inspiration for ways to learn the importance of community service can come from anywhere, including the premise of the Donald Trump's "The Apprentice." The challenge: to do a room makeover in a homeless housing facility. In preparation, the youths talked about children and homelessness. They watched My Own Four Walls, a powerful video featuring children and youths who do not have their own four walls. In working teams of 4-6, 100 middle schoolers began brainstorming potential projects, returning two weeks later for a hearing of their proposals by two HCEF staff members, one of their teachers, and the school principal in the role of Donald Trump. Eight of the teams survived the tough first assessment. Each would have $500 to work with should their presentation be one of the two judged to be winning projects. The money would be used for paint, furniture, rugs, books, etc.

On the day of the apprentice project selection, each of the eight teams presented their completed proposals to "Trump" and the other judges, using PowerPoint presentations and picture boards to illustrate the theme and look of their room makeover plans. Two teams were proclaimed "winners" with 2 additional teams named as backups assigned to provide the necessary additional hands for the jobs ahead.

The finished room at Womansplace is now a bright yellow with inspirational sayings on "floating" clouds, a rainbow mural stretching across one wall, and some new furnishings thanks to the "Operation Reconstruction" team. Said an agency spokesperson, "When families come in to meet with a staff member, they now have a child-friendly space in which their children can be comfortable and find engaging things to do while they wait."

And, thanks to "The Carnival" team, the Allegheny Valley Association of Churches main office features a ferris wheel mural on now blue walls, beanbag chairs, stuffed animals and books, and a cheerful throw rug. "My new office has been tested out by a number of children already and found to be delightful!" reported an AVAC spokesperson.

Agency for Jewish Learning –  (7)
J-Site Team Engagement Initiative

HCEF helped facilitate the opportunity for a team of 11th and 12th grade J-Site young people to volunteer their services at Sojourner House MOMS. Four of the young men spent the afternoon helping transform a vacant lot into a playground for the MOMS kids. The other 6 teens provided a party for the dozen or so children in residence. Laughter abounded as all, including some of the moms, joined in a name game, "ridiculous" relay races, face painting, and art projects. This happy event was part of the teens' study of the various issues of homelessness that included a trip to Washington, D.C. and the opportunity to lobby their congregational representatives on those issues.

Dorseyville Middle School Team 6B (6)
 

Forty girls and boys from team 6B raised money from families and neighbors to cover the cost of the supplies necessary to make woven construction paper Easter Egg baskets. Once made, the youths filled them with sweet treats for children residing at Sisters Place in Clairton. Learning about homelessness among children prompted their determination to do something special for at least a few of them.

As their teacher commented: "The students had fun doing this, but more importantly they learned compassion for fellow community members. It was an eye-opening experience for them to realize that over 600 children in the Pittsburgh area are homeless."

Read about All-Star group projects from 2006-2008

(8/15/09)