Carson Valley Children's Aid

Thanks so much to IKEA Conshohocken for their gracious donation of washcloths, towels, sheet sets, flatware sets, saucepans, and so much more. It’s because of generous sponsors like IKEA, that we are able to assist families in our Your Way Home Rapid Re-housing programs with household items they may need to start out in a new home.

CVCA was excited to receive a Housing Resource grant award from the Montgomery County Office of Housing and Community Development. The grant enables CVCA to provide Rapid Rehousing services to more than 50 households and 100 individuals in the next year. Program components include rental and utility assistance along with case management to support the successful completion of individualized housing stability plans.

CVCA has been delivering Rapid Rehousing services since 2014 and is honored to be selected to continue this critical work with Montgomery County residents.

Become a sponsor of the CVCA Cookbook!
https://cvca-pa.networkforgood.com/projects/228906-supporting-carson-valley-children-s-aid
When prompted select apply my donation to “Cookbook”.

CVCA is grateful for the donation of over 200 sets of summer pajamas and bilingual bedtime books from the Pajama Program.

They will be distributed along with blankets from Project Linus to children in through our PAT and YWH programs.

We are so appreciative of the support from other groups who serve children in our area.

Happy Juneteenth! This year’s national theme is “Their Wildest Dreams” recognizing the sacrifice and activism of those who came before, while celebrating the successes of the current generation. Here is what some of the African American folks in our office had to say about what, in their life, contributes to living their ancestor’s wildest dreams:
I can take time off from work.
I can stand up for myself without the threat of harm.
Own a business.
Vote.
Electing Obama and other Black people into office.
I am respected at work.
I have a voice that is listened to.

Why the word “pride”. Pride encompasses so much.
Pride is spring.
Pride is joy.
Pride is confidence.
Pride is authenticity.
Pride is the antithesis to shame.
Pride is community.
Pride is loud.
Pride is celebration.
Pride is affirmation.
Pride is survival.
Pride is respect.
Pride is empowering.
Pride is love. Pride is so much love.
And Pride is hope.

Happy Pride Month! Philly kicked off Pride this weekend with all kinds of events including dance parties, parades, and marches. There are still many events to come this month so check out https://phillygaycalendar.com/pride/ if you’re interested in coming out.

A CVCA success story in the Your Way Home Montgomery County Newsletter:

Pete* found himself fleeing from a domestic violence situation that led he and his son to experience homelessness for the first time. After determination to provide a safe space, Pete and his son were able to connect with Your Way Home resources and find shelter at Family Promise of the Main Line. Once in a safe place, the family was connected to a Housing Resource Center and began the process of searching for housing with the assistance of Carson Valley Children's Aid. During his time in the shelter, Pete maintained employment and obtained childcare assistance through the Montgomery County Early Learning Resource Center.

In March 2024, the family was able to move into housing in North Wales within 9 days of being accepted into the Rapid Rehousing program. At this time, Pete has begun increasing his income with additional hours at work in preparation to maintain their housing without assistance.

Pete's resilience and unwavering commitment to providing a stable and secure future for himself and his son are truly inspiring. Despite facing daunting challenges, he did not lose hope and actively sought out resources to improve their situation. The swift assistance provided by- Carson Valley Children's Aid and Your Way Home partners played a crucial role in helping them secure a place they can call home in North Wales.

If you or anyone you know is experiencing Domestic Violence, contact Laurel House's 24-hour hotline at 1-800-642-3150 or text "HOPE" to 85511.

*This is a true story with name and some details changed to protect Pete

May is also Mental Health month. And while there are several aspects to mental health and maintaining good mental health, housing is a big one for us at CVCA. Our Your Way Home Program exists to help people find and maintain stable housing. Shelter is a basic human need, and a home is more than a safe place to sleep. A home provides support, comfort, connection, and routine. If you or someone you know is experiencing unstable housing in Montgomery County, call the Your Way Home Helpline at 610-278-3522. Housing is mental health care.

May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. The theme for 2024 is Advancing Leaders Through Innovation. It is within this month that we honor those who have affected change and lead us when there was no path, who have succeeded in a system that was designed to suppress and oppress them. And shine a light on those who are still doing everything within their power to change the game so that no one else will ever have to go through the things that should never have happened in the first place.

Stand in solidarity with native communities and raise awareness for missing and murdered indigenous women. Share this post to spread more awareness for this issue and the fact that Native American women are up to 10 times more likely to be murdered or sexually assaulted.

May 5th is MMIW Day, a day to raise awareness for the widespread anger and sadness in First Nation communities because of the missing and murdered women and children in their communities. A red hand over the mouth has become the symbol of a growing movement toward awareness, accountability, and advocacy. The red hand represents the silence of the media, law enforcement and government agencies on this issue, as well as the oppression and subjugation of Native women throughout history. Join Native Communities on May 5th by wearing red and raising awareness in the call for .

There are many facets to Carson Valley Children’s Aid. One shining star is the Schoolhouse. The combined nursery school and daycare is bright and inviting, with an atmosphere as welcoming as the staff. A chorus of children laughing and playing can be heard throughout the halls. The importance of early childcare is taken seriously and reflected all over the Schoolhouse. If you are looking to start a new career or are feeling called to work with children, check out our open positions. Because whether you’re a teacher or a student, this place is truly lifechanging.
https://www.indeed.com/jobs?q=Carson+Valley+Children%27s+Aid&l=&from=searchOnDesktopSerp&vjk=8e4b096b842d7470

Happy National Volunteer week! We are so grateful for our volunteers here at Carson Valley Children’s Aid. They assist in our efforts to insure the health, safety, and well-being of children, youth, and families. We do not do this alone, and they deserve recognition for donating their time and energy. If you are looking for a way to enact change and make a difference in the community, check out our website. https://www.cvca-pa.org/get-involved Change starts local.

Thank you Volunteers for your amazing generosity!
Volunteer Recognition Day is observed every year on April 20. It is a day to honor, recognize and celebrate the selfless individuals who volunteer their time and energy to help others and promote good causes.
Commitment to community is evident in everything Volunteers do. When you volunteer, you help create the kind of community you want to live in.
It takes the dedication of committed volunteers like yourself to empower CVCA provides services and support through more than 15 programs every year. Your support allows CVCA to serve more deeply, offering each person more support and offering support to more people.
We are humbled by the generosity of your volunteerism. Thank you for your unwavering support of the CVCA Continuum of care.

HELP US REACH THE FINISH LINE!

We’re getting close to the end of our 2024 Carson Valley Children’s Aid Shoe Drive and we wanted to thank everyone who has supported us so far, and to let you know there is still time for YOU to participate! Shoes are the foundation of a child walking forward in this world, yet so many kids don’t have access to new and well-fitted shoes, especially the teen and tween age groups. The CVCA Shoe Drive makes a great project for schools, corporate teams, civic organizations and groups, or individuals.

WE’RE COUNTING ON YOU TO:

– Choose a goal such as raising enough funds for 30 pairs of shoes.

– Partner with CVCA or our associate organization Shoes That Fit.

– Spread the word and help us get well-fitted shoes for well-deserving kids.

READY TO HELP?

– To participate, email [email protected] and you’ll receive an email packet with all the info to get started.

– If you would rather make a direct donation, we would love that! Here is the link:[%20] https://www.cvca-pa.org/get-involved (all gifts are tax-deductible).

– Please share this post.

SOLES & GOALS!
JOIN OUR SHOE DRIVE and help us help kids get new shoes! You or your organization can make a BIG difference to a child, one pair of shoes at a time. That’s why we’re initiating the CVCA Shoe Drive Invitational. Choose a goal such as raising enough funds for 30 pairs of shoes, and you’ll be off to the races! You can partner with CVCA or our associate organization Shoes That Fit. Makes a great project for schools, corporate teams, civic organizations, and more. Spread the word and help us get well-fitted shoes for well-deserving kids.

To participate, email [email protected] and you’ll receive an email packet with all the info to get started. P.S. If you would rather make a direct donation, here is the link: https://cvca-pa.networkforgood.com/projects/219525-cvca-shoe-drive
We thank you and the kids thank you!

, helping their clients one day at a time and should be paid accordingly!

Marsha P(ay It No Mind) Johnson was another woman who advocated for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. She is one of the most notable LGBTQ+ activists of all time, being at the Stonewall Riots and a member of some of the first gay rights groups. However, early on, Marsha became frustrated with these groups as they did not represent the movement as whole by excluding transgender folks and LGBTQ+ people of color. So, she and a friend started STAR, Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries, to help transgender youth whose families rejected them. Marsha worked hard “to see gay people liberated and free and to have equal rights that other people have in America.” And we thank her and all of our advocates for creating a better world for all of us.

Social work is in high demand, with several states reporting shortages of social workers and other mental health services providers. Social workers are also on the forefront of pressing issues facing our nation, including providing services to our aging population, treating people affected by an ongoing opioid addiction crisis, and helping people find affordable housing and adequate health care. Social workers deserve better compensation for the work they do. The Social Work Month 2024 theme Empowering Social Workers underscores the need for our nation to better support social workers to address societal issues.

To support this year’s Women’s History Month theme, Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, we would like to highlight Harriet Forten Purvis. Purvis, also known as “Hattie,” spent her life in 1800’s Philadelphia fighting for equity. She was a black abolitionist and a suffragette. She even helped start the first multicultural women’s abolitionist group, the Philadelphia Female Anti-Slavery Society. Hattie and her husband established their home as a stop on the Underground Railroad and helped around 9,000 enslaved people make their way to freedom. The world needs women who will fight against the status quo for what is right.

The CVCA Shoe Drive is nearing the midpoint and we’re coming to you with an update and an ask. THE UPDATE: We had a very positive response during our initial launch and we’re off to the races with some generous donations. For that, we are so grateful. THE ASK: It takes a lot of shoes to help a lot of kids, but a little bit can go a long way, and we have a long way to go. There are a few different ways to help, but when you make a monetary donation, it allows us to buy shoes for kids at a deep discount through a partnership we have with Shoes That Fit (a national non-profit). We’re focusing on the TEENS and TWEENS, as they are often overlooked. Please help us help them put one foot in front of the other with new and well-fitted shoes. Click below to start the process, and THANK YOU for being SOLE supporters!

https://www.cvca-pa.org/get-involved

The National Women’s History Month’s theme for 2024 celebrates “Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.” The theme recognizes women throughout the country who understand that, for a positive future, we need to eliminate bias and discrimination entirely from our lives and institutions.

March is Social Work Month and the theme for 2024 is Empowering Social Workers! Social workers work in a variety of fields, including mental health, aging, child welfare, and social services. The National Association of Social Workers asks us to “empower social workers by supporting legislation and initiatives that empower and support the social work profession. This includes the Improving Access to Mental Health Act, student loan debt relief, and social work safety legislation.” Let’s keep our social workers safe and able to keep doing the excellent work they do.

Jordan Peele started his career as an actor and comedian but solidified himself as a cultural staple as a filmmaker. His films are categorized as satirical horror and as such, are often nominated for awards in comedy categories. Satire is predominantly a comedic exaggeration, but many of Peele’s themes are all too real for Black Americans in this country. This is why Black art is important, starting conversations, depicting experiences, and feelings that may be more nuanced than plain language can navigate. Thank you to all Black Artists. We need, thank, and celebrate you.

Put your best foot forward to help others. It’s time for the Carson Valley Children’s Aid SHOE DRIVE and we need YOU! This shoe drive is primarily for TWEENS and TEENS, an age group often overlooked. That’s why we want to focus on getting them the shoes they need, and it all begins with YOU.

There are three ways to help, from purchasing shoes or gift cards, to making a monetary donation. Click below to start the process and THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts and “soles”!

https://www.cvca-pa.org/get-involved

Roxane Gay is, among many things, a writer. Gay is a Haitian American New York Times bestselling author (multiple times over), a professor, editor, feminist, survivor, podcast host, body acceptance icon, cultural critic, and a beacon. She has an enormous online following that look to her for answers on anything from race to politics to feminism and beyond. Her writing is vulnerable and honest. She is an artist.

Kendrick Lamar is a Pulitzer Prize winning rapper. His lyrics often reflect the systemic racism and other issues Black Americans are currently facing. Hip hop has heavily influenced American culture since the 1980’s and Lamar’s Pulitzer win was a red blinking light to the naysayers that rap is not only music, but a linguistic art form.

Kara Walker is a contemporary visual artist who rose to popularity with her paper silhouette cutouts depicting racism in the Antebellum South. Her work has been controversial as it clearly depicts racist and sexist stereotypes juxtaposed with a classic silhouette artform. Walker’s images purposely provoke viewers, “I have no interest in making a work that doesn’t elicit a feeling.”-Kara Walker.

Lunar New Year 2024 began on February 10th, and this is the year of the Dragon. Celebrated for 15 days across China, South Korea, and Vietnam, it is one of the most important holidays. Businesses are closed for at least the first 5 days culminating in the Lantern Festival on the 15th night. Based on the legend regarding the order of the animals to represent the 12 zodiacs, the Jade Emperor had a race and Dragon was expected to win. However, on the way Dragon came upon a village experiencing drought. Dragon stopped to help and ended up in 5th place in the race. Happy Lunar New Year, especially our dragon friends.