Helping those who don't help themselves.

On a recent program night, third-grader Tyrell came to speak with Ms. Dee, our COO. He had received a mattress at Christmas and was now very happy to have his own place to sleep. Tyrell’s mom is out of the house, and he and his siblings live with Granny. He proceeded to tell Ms. Dee his dream of having his mattress “put up” (which meant with a frame and box spring) but wasn’t sure how this was going to happen. On Dee’s day off, she and her husband, Mike, who volunteers at Rock House Kids, located a box spring. When Stan, another of our volunteers, heard about Tyrell’s situation, he offered a frame and headboard. Dee and Mike “put up” the mattress at Tyrell’s house that day. Tyrell couldn’t contain himself and burst out in smiles all day long! I received a message from one of our teens, 17-year-old Shanekia, who told me she was accepted into Job Corps. She would be leaving in a few days and had a list of things she was not able to get on her own. So Shanekia and I went shopping to buy all of the last-minute items she needed. She then happily went to Job Corps with all her new items! Many Rock House Kids are involved in sports and provide their sports schedules to us. We try to go to as many of the kids’ games as possible. How sad that many of the kids’ families don’t come to watch them play. They are delighted when the Rock House Kids leaders come to their games to cheer them on! Occasionally, we will receive phone calls from moms asking for food. They have children who attend Rock House Kids and, as a last resort, contact us to see if we can help out. We thank you, our supporters, for allowing us to “Help a child today and you won’t have to repair an adult tomorrow.”