Back-2-School Bonanza 2018

Thank you!  YOU have helped to create a new event which benefits our young people and their families!

School Supply Collage 2018 - OMHC

Back-2-School Bonanza

This is a store set up right here on our Baltimore Campus for residents, siblings, parents and guardians to “shop” for exactly what they need to Go Back-2-School!

If you haven’t donated yet – Donate Now!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Back-to-School 2018 – Teaching Life Skills

“Those skills include not only how to handle your condition, he says, but “life skills”  teach you how to how to cook, how to budget money, how to shop, and how to keep your room clean,” – Michael says.

At an early age, Michael battled depression and anxiety. He needed help in school and was falling behind when his parents first sought help from their son.

Today, Michael lives with his family in Maryland. He has full time employment and continues to work on life skills such as showing up to work on time or early, saving some of his paycheck, and continue to work on a healthy relationship with my family.

The real superstars – you! 

Michael says school would not have been possible without the community that helps and supports BCC.

He recognized that everyone wants the best for him and the only way he can succeed is to finish his education. Michael ended with stating, “School helped me become employable by breaking down the confusing material into ways in which I could understand.”

“The real superstars are the strong supportive community we have here at BCC, thank you for helping me to grow up!”

 

 

 

 

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Power House Alumni Conference

At the Board of Child Care, we support our alumni and are always looking opportunities to connect with foster care alumni.

Earlier this month, a couple of our the youth were able to attend an annual foster care alumni conference. The conference included an opportunity to meet the foster care ombudsman, a successful entrepreneur alumni, and provided an opportunity for youth to share their stories. There were also various breakout information sessions on topics such as financial stability, public speaking, and defining your personal creative process. Phillip “Nick” described the end of the conference as bittersweet because “it gave me encouragement and let me know that there are people out there just like me. I really enjoyed this event, and would like to attend more events like this one”.

 

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40 Days of Positivity: Congratulations

If you are able and would like to join with our youth in Baltimore in celebrating, you are welcome to come to the Chapel on Wednesday, April 18 from 4:15 until 5:00 p.m. Mr. Shawn will be hosting a small reception.  We will have certificates for all of our participants.  If you would like me to email one to you, please reply to me with your request.

If you cannot join us in person, please pause wherever you are and offer a moment of gratitude to God for yourself and for all of our BCC family!  I will be in BWI Airport, most likely, at that time – but please know that I will be expressing my gratitude with intention.

Keep up the positive actions and positive thoughts!
I will be sending more emails of encouragement.  Remember, you may opt out from receiving them whenever you wish.

May the beauty and promise of the butterfly inspire us to embrace change with courage, joy and gratitude!
God’s Blessings to you,
Stacey

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Impact

Our final week brings us to the fourth core value of BCC:

Aim for Impact.  In other words, we are striving to make a difference.

I invite you to look back over your calendar of these last few weeks.
Does any one action stand out for you?  Spirtual
Where were you most challenged?
How have you grown?
What will you do now?

Imagine with me the cumulative effect of all of our positive actions and thoughts blessed by God’s grace.  Thank you!

May God multiply our impact for the good of young people and their families in our communities and in our world.

With hope –
Stacey

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Be Thankful

This week our focus is on gratitude.

I have been reading a book recommended to me by two of our colleagues –  The Gratitude Diaries:  How A Year Looking On The Bright Side Can Transform Your Life by Janice Kaplan.
The above quote is from the book.

We are nearing the end of our 40 day commitment and I recommend that each of us begins to plan how we will continue to focus on positive actions and thoughts.  I am going to pursue some type of gratitude journal because I know that I need some type of structure in order to keep focused.

Whatever you decide, let’s continue to support one another in positive actions.  I am grateful for each of you and this opportunity we have to work together for a common purpose of enriching communities, one family at a time.

Thank you, God!

In gratitude,
Stacey

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National Social Worker Month: Micaela Itter Interview

At the Board of Child Care, there are many departments that come together to provide the care you the youth. For National Social Worker Month, our Social Workers were interviewed to give us a better understanding of their role in their current position,  as well as who they are as individuals. The following interview represents Ms. Micaela Itter

How long have you been for working at the Board of Child Care?

I was an Intern for 1 year, Child Care Worker for 1 year, and now I am a social worker for almost 7 months.

Favorite memory while at the Board of Child Care?

When a resident gave me a chicken for Christmas

We all have the same goal but achieve it differently. How are you working to fulfill this mission statement?

Promoting unification whenever possible

What is your greatest strength in one word?

Advocating for the youth that I serve

How do you display said strength while working?

Collaborating with all parties of treatment to ensure that all need are met and making sure that youth have the opportunity to display improvement.

Can you help us understand why you chose to include the image below?

The single most memorable day of my life was spent with Rebecca, Trina and Chloe. It was my first time in NYC and I will be forever grateful for our fearless leader and chaperone.

To read more about my fabulous trip to NYC click here!

#MyGivingStory

 

 

 

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