What A Difference An Education Can Make
Meet Providence House’s 2019 Spring Graduating Class! Twenty-two families completed the program and are now living a self-sufficient life. All families are working, in permanent housing, their children are in school and they now have the tools needed for long-term sustainability! This simply would not have been a reality without individual donors, community partners, corporate partners, governmental entities and the hundreds of volunteers that give of their time, talent and treasure. To our community, this is your return on your investment: self-sufficient families!
Thank you, for helping us to, “Break the homeless cycle one family at a time.”
United Way Honors Providence House Co-Founder,
Jean Sayres, with the 2018 Clyde Fant Award
Providence House’s co-founder, Jean Sayres, received the prestigious Clyde Fant Award from United Way on March 28, 2019. Sayres was recognized for her commitment to the local community and acknowledged for her philanthropic work across the state of Louisiana. Jean Sayres and Mary Anne Selber founded Providence House in 1988 after seeing the needs of homeless families with children. Together, they galvanized friends and supporters to create an emergency shelter with a mission of, “Breaking the homeless cycle one family at a time.” Sayres thanked the community for their long-term support of Providence House.
In honor of Jean’s work at the Providence House, each table was given a box filled with shampoo, conditioner, wash clothes, soap and brushes. Bags were assembled at the table and each person slipped a personal note inside. Providence House was able to share more than 75 gift bags for the families served each day. That’s impact!
Thank you, United Way.
Come see what’s happening behind the red door of Providence House.
Take a tour of the facility and see the mission at work.
April 17, 2019
11am – 12pm
RSVP: Nicole Brice (318) 221-7887 ext. 119
Providence House is so much more than food, clothing and shelter. In fact, for the past four years, we have remained laser focused on EDUCATION. Our two generational program extends educational support to adults and children. It’s amazing what we have accomplished in just a short while. Come in and take a listening tour of the agency. There’s a lot happening behind the red door!
DID YOU KNOW?
- Providence House’s model is used on a national level? The Department of Family and Children’s Services took our model to Washington, DC. We set the standard for housing and helping homeless families.
Meet Natalee Rowton and her daughters
The Definition of Success
“My story may seem like everyone else’s story, but my journey to Providence House is unique to me and my two children, Hailey and Hannah. My children and I arrived in April of 2018. I was not employed and I was struggling to begin a life of sobriety. I learned of Providence House after a stay in CADA Treatment Center. While at CADA I heard from several people who were a part of the program and I saw how it was helping them. I knew Providence House would be my family’s saving grace. Whenever your journey leads you to a shelter, you do not know what to expect. That’s very true of Providence House. It was more than food, clothing and shelter. My journey started with a full complement of support that allowed me to find my footing and to start afresh. My new journey and outlook is completely different than the day I entered the shelter. I have a full time job; I’m enrolled in school, I’ve maintained my sobriety and we are in our own place. I am certainly better, wiser and stronger because of the support and care received from Providence House.”
Did you know?
- Nearly 50% of our working community are considered ALICE (Asset Limited Income Constrained Employed)? This means that half of people that work cannot afford the food, clothing, shelter, childcare and transportation….even with two jobs!
Because of your support, Natalee is earning a living wage, has her own apartment, established a savings account, paid cash for her vehicle, purchased full coverage insurance and her girls have a stable life. That’s success!
Summer Fun Is Almost Here!
Providence House children at play in the splash pad, Downtown Shreveport, LA
Homelessness can often rob children of the joy of childhood. With your support, you allow us to return the joy of laughter, fun, play and normalcy to more than 150 children DAILY.
- Did you know that 70% of our daily population is homeless children ages 0-17?
As summer approaches, we want to keep our children busy at play, but learning too.
- Will you help us to send our children to summer camp this year?
You can by donating just $100 per child. We will share camp photos and highlights from the learning experience.
DONATE (www.theprovidencehouse.com)
We Have The Best Donors in the Whole World
Meet our friends from Capital One Bank
Capital One Bankers, Verni Howard and Providence House Residents
Capital One Bank hosted a toiletry drive to benefit the residents of Providence House. Employees collected hundreds of items including full sized shampoo, conditioner, soap, deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste and hair brushes for our families.
- Did you know that almost 50% of employees in northwest Louisiana are considered ALICE (Asset Limited Income Constrained Employed)?
There are people who work every single day, but simply do not earn enough to pay for housing, food, transportation and childcare. A bottle of shampoo, deodorant and toothpaste for one person can cost up to $15. Capital One made sure that at least 75 families will not have to worry about the basics.
From our hearts to yours, THANK YOU for being the change and making a DIFFERENCE.
We extend a SPECIAL THANKS to all of our donors.
For every seed that you sow into this agency, a beautiful gift is returned to our community! Thank you, for: donating items, financial contributions, volunteering your time, serving a meal, tutoring our children, lending your talent and above all, for allowing the agency to move the mission forward. We cannot do this work without each of you.
Because of YOU, children are afforded high quality childcare. Parents have an opportunity to complete their education, both GED and college. Families can begin to heal after long cycles of abuse and poverty. Families are made whole because of you, our DONORS.
Our Mission:
“Breaking the Homeless Cycle One Family at a Time”
What is SleepOut4Independence (SO4I)?
SO4I is a homelessness awareness campaign aimed at educating our community about circumstances that create homelessness and engaging in conversation as well as an exchange of ideas about possible solutions. Homelessness can happen to anyone!
The event is geared towards middle and high school students, youth and church groups as well as families. The goal is to challenge teams to sleep out in the elements for an entire night.
- Teams will construct their sleeping quarters from only items commonly found on the streets (i.e. cardboard, tape and rope).
- Teams will compete for “The Best Structure,” “Best Shelter based on Theme” and “Top Fundraiser”
Details about the Event:
Date: Saturday, November 16, 2019
Registration Time: 3:00pm
Location: Independence Stadium
Cost: $25 per person (includes T-shirt, food, all activities)
From the Executive Director
I continue to remain in total awe of God! I am so honored to have the privilege and responsibility to serve alongside an incredible team who are committed to serving others. It is amazing to watch my staff step in and do whatever needs to be done to help. It is even more amazing to witness the goodness of community. I can state, without reservation, that all is not bad in our local community! The love and generosity that we experience every day at Providence House cannot be expressed in one newsletter. It is continuous, unpretentious, unyielding, pure, and honest.
I am thankful for every roll of paper towels, every dress, every meal donated, and every dollar given. It reflects God’s graciousness for all.
Thank you, for allowing me to do the work that I was called to do for others. Each day, I am humbled and thankful.
Verni Howard, Executive Director
(318) 221-7887, extension 101
How to connect with Providence House
Volunteer Opportunities and Tour Information
Nicole Brice, Director of Community Engagement
(318) 221-7887, extension 119
Financial Support
Stan Hancock, Development Associate
(318) 221-7887
shancock@theprovidencehouse.com
On-line Giving: www.theprovidencehouse.com
Furniture Donation:
Michael Stubbs, Operations Manager
(318) 221-7887