I have a favorite non-profit organization to tell you about. I think that the Have A Heart Project (HAH) would be a perfect recipient for the YourHub.com $1000 grant.
This organization was started in 1999 by a group of people with very big hearts and a passion for doing the right thing. To support their mission of "expanding a sense of community ownership and responsibility for the welfare of children," this group of people from Westminster Presbyterian Church and Smith World Travel partnered directly with Adams County School District 50 to create the
Have A Heart Project. The ongoing success and growth of the organization is a tribute to the fact that it fills an urgent, recognized need.
At 9%, Adams County District 50 has the highest number of "homeless" students in metro Denver. District 50 also has a 67% rate of children who qualify to receive free and reduced lunches. This means that they are living under the federally-defined poverty level. These families have real need. Working closely with District 50 recommendations, HAH provides needed support twice a month to all District 50 families who register in the HAH program. Have A Heart currently has over 2000 families registered.
The Have A Heart Center resembles a thrift store with clothes, shoes, hygiene products, toys, books, linens and small household items and food! Besides non-perishable groceries, bread, pastries, dairy products and produce are available. The difference is that unlike a thrift store, everything is available at no charge!
Recognizing the local need and the incredible service provided locally by HAH, District 50 schools, scout troops, and other community service organizations often choose to support Have a Heart with financial donations or food, toiletry, toy, or clothing drives. These groups are confident that their efforts and donations will support urgent needs right in their community.
Have A Heart also provides extra support for families by distributing school supplies and backpacks, holiday baskets, and other special items throughout the year. Around the holidays, service organizations and individuals can also sponsor needy families through Have A Heart to provide holiday gifts and extra food.
The Have a Heart Project operates entirely on community volunteers, community donations and grants, so all donations, financial or in-kind, directly and completely benefit the Have A Heartparticipants. Because their space is provided by District 50, there are not even any overhead costs at HAH. Have a Heart also provides a valuable opportunity for people of all ages to volunteer in their community. This is an invaluable life lesson for many Have a Heartvolunteers, especially District 50 students!
The atmosphere of the volunteers at Have A Heart is cheerful and caring. It is heartwarming to volunteer at Have A Heart on Saturday mornings to watch this well-oiled machine dole out this much-needed aid to their community.