Optimist Youth Homes and Family Services’ Post

Sitting in the comforts of my home I am grateful to have a roof over my head. I have freedoms and my thoughts are unlimited. For all my desires and expectations, I have privileges and I dare to dream and work hard to achieve. I am responsible for my actions, I am responsible for my intentions, my mother’s words are comfort too my soul. 1. Always treat people how you want to be treated. 2. Your word is your worth , it’s your credit in how you work with your community. Without credit you are working for self-gratification. 3. Know what you are good at. 4. Learn every day from the people you met and children are the best teachers. 5. Be your best version of yourself. 6. Nana Vera’s favourite “Don’t be no up start jumped up C U next Tuesday”…Be you! As Voice elected and a member of the collective Region 1… All I ask for is some time to find our feet before we stand, figure out our strengths before we speak, and know how to use our voices for the betterment of our community. These are important processes to develop as we learn to be the best versions of ourselves and we must hold our truths as our starting point of this long conversation. It is all of our beginnings.

Our commitment extends beyond just wealth management; we aim to create meaningful and lasting connections. We hold ourselves to a higher purpose: "Building caring, genuine relationships that strengthen families and transform our communities." Learn more here: https://buff.ly/47KnrU0

🚀 Together, We Thrive: The Power of Community Support 🚀 📚 I recently read a fascinating study in PLOS Biology revealing that fish moving together in schools expend far less energy than when swimming alone. 🐟 Minnows swimming solo through a fast, rough current use up to five times more energy than those in groups! 🕊️ Birds demonstrate this too, flying in a “V” formation where the lead bird faces wind currents, easing the path for others. This principle applies to us as well. Our life journeys are smoother when we travel with companions, especially when the path gets rocky. Imagine facing homelessness as a single parent in our community. The challenges are immense: - A mother with a small child, living in a hotel room. - A parent of two preschoolers, with a broken-down car, unable to get to a vital job. 🛑 Facing these scenarios with minimal community support is incredibly tough. 🌟 Bridge of Hope 🌟 steps in here. Our Neighboring Volunteers answer Jesus’ call to “love your neighbor” by offering tangible and social support to families. They: - Stock kitchens for families moving into new homes. - Connect single moms with job opportunities. - Provide meals during busy times. - Send encouraging texts. These acts build meaningful, mutually beneficial relationships. Sentiments from Executive Director Deirdre Longacher Smeltzer 💓 💬 Won’t you consider joining the Bridge of Hope Neighborhood of Support? Reach out if you’d like to learn more. https://lnkd.in/eMFiEkxu 🌍 Together, we can create a supportive community where everyone thrives. #CommunitySupport #BridgeOfHope #NeighboringVolunteers #SupportNetwork #VolunteerOpportunity

Did you know that children who have spent time in foster care are 3.5x more likely to experience PTSD like that of a war veteran? Placement stability is an integeral part of helping mitigate the affects of trauma children in the foster care system experience. Once healthy stability is achieved, children can begin the process of learning how to form healthy trust-based attachements. This is vital to their healing journey. Keeping sibling groups together, whenever possible, is a monumental part of lessening the overal impact that the trauma of removal can cause for a child. Think about it, even if a child is in a desperate situation and removal is a necessary, they are still being ripped away from all that is familiar to them. For children, routine and control are two extremely important components for healthy development. When children are able to enter into the unknown space of the Child Welfare System and navigate it with their sibling, the trauma that comes with removal can have less severe lasting affects. They have eachother and intimate connection and that gives them a sense of control and safety. I am so excited to see that Christian Bale has discovered this reality and has a passion to help make it possible for siblings to remain together during foster care placement.

Family Voices helps ZERO TO THREE Safe Babies include parents as leaders, honoring their resilience and lived experience and creating a shared responsibility to build coordinated and equitable social conditions. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/eSCx3A-k.

Our journey began with a vision: to turn a challenge into triumph. Join us as we uplift our community through economic development and job creation. It's happening, but there's a lot more to do. You can help. Learn how: https://lnkd.in/gEwxxy8M

Embodying the core values and principles that our mothers imparted to us is a powerful way to honor their wisdom and guidance. Here are some ways to actively live in accordance with these values: Compassion and Empathy: Practice empathy and compassion in our interactions with others. By showing kindness and understanding, we uphold the values of empathy that our mothers instilled in us. This can be as simple as lending a listening ear to a friend in need or volunteering to help those less fortunate in our communities. https://amzn.to/3U6Ht7Z

How we help the communities we serve:

Empowerment begins from within. This powerful quote encapsulates the essence of resilience and the ability to thrive in the face of challenges. We are dedicated to empowering you, your family, and the entire community through our six vital programs. Discover the transformative impact of these initiatives and join us on the journey to resilience and strength. Together, we can build a community that not only survives but thrives. Learn more at https://hubs.ly/Q028QCS60