“Be glad, people of Zion, rejoice in the Lord your God, for He has given you the autumn rains because He is faithful. He sends you abundant showers, both autumn and spring rains, as before.”
Joel 2:23
Super Students of the Month
Each month during the school year the HHYD teachers select SUPER STUDENTS of the month. To qualify for this celebration, the students must successfully complete their homework and spiritual journals. This month on November 8th the staff served the Super Students of the month Chick-Fil-A.
CONGRATULATION TO ALL THE SUPER STUDENTS OF THE MONTH!
Hallelujah Night an alternative for the children on Oct 31st
HHYD hosted HALLELUJAH NIGHT, it’s an alternative for the children to keep them off the streets and safe. The parents were grateful they did not have to walk the children around the neighborhood. We played Christian music and feed the children hotdogs, chips and juice which they enjoyed of course. We had a variety of costumes and played games in the gym. We ended the evening by giving them a huge bag of candy.
Life on Purpose: Car Care Unit
LOP is a way for HHYD to coach the children through some of the everyday events that happen while just living life. This particular month the children learned about the engine of one of the HHYD vans. By the time the training was completed the children could point out where the oil goes into the vehicle, the battery location, and brakes. They were really excited to learn about how vehicles operate.
Thank You Note from a child to staff
Our children are learning about being THANKFUL this month. They are expressing it by writing notes and making cards about what they are thankful for. This is what one child created and wrote to his teacher, David.
Holiday Meal
On November 16th HHYD hosted a Thanksgiving dinner for our families. We had 150 partake of the turkey, dressing, mac & cheese, dinner rolls, green beans, pies and cakes. Parents and children alike were given the opportunity to say what they were thankful for (common theme was family, friends, Jesus, and HHYD).
Thanks to the Staff, Board Members (spouses) and La’Tanzia Henry for cooking the main staple of Thanksgiving, the turkey and dressing.
From HHYD to you, we hope and pray you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!
We had drawings and gave away 4 $50.00 Cub gift cards.
Parents and children shared what they are thankful for.
Church Spotlight
Trinity Lutheran Church of Minnehaha Falls has been serving meals after Thursday Teen Bible Study once a month since January 2022. We learned about the opportunity during a site visit at HHYD.
Trinity Local Impact Team (LIT) supports several Christian ministries like HHYD that serve the needs of students and families in North Minneapolis. “Serving meals is an easy way for us to serve our local community in a very practical manner. And the staff and students are very appreciative of the meals. We are blessed to be a blessing to others. I hope that other local churches will shower their generosity by providing meals to the kids at HHYD.” We would like to invite your church to come along side of Trinity Lutheran Church of Minnehaha Falls and serve the children of North Minneapolis.
Congregation Member / Volunteer
Knox Presbyterian, and Saint Joan of Arc
The food truck is sponsored by two churches, Knox Presbyterian, and Saint Joan of Arc. Prior to Covid the truck went out almost every day serving the communities. We are gradually, and hopefully getting back to that.
The food truck is run by volunteers, all of whom love serving. It takes many volunteers to make this run smoothly and all sorts of people lend their gifts to this ministry. We have been coming to Hospitality House since 2009 which was the very beginning of the truck. Mark McLellan brought the idea from Austin, Texas.
Our food truck group is the first Monday of the month and we first go to Hospitality House and then end up at Souls Harbor down behind Target Field. As one of our new volunteers said, we sure run the gamut from the children to the unhoused down at the salvation army center. It is such a privilege to be on this ministry. And the children at Hospitality House Youth Development make us smile.
Paula Larsen, HHYD Board Member and volunteer team
Gifts are needed for Christmas With Dignity
We have 435 families signed up, that will cover 1200 plus children. We are in need of gifts and toys to make sure we have at least two (2) toys/gifts per child. Also if you are interested in volunteering please let us know. Email Paula Larsen @ Email: paulaannelarsen@gmail.com
Donors may drop off their new un-wrapped gifts Tuesday December 5- Thursday December 7, 2023 at HHYD between 9:00am and 4:00pm. If you would like a box for your place of business, your employer or church, please let us know.
We need gifts for all ages, but gifts for teens are often forgotten. Here are some teen gift ideas:
- Electronics of all types
- Fun alarm clocks
- Games
- Remote control vehicles
- Cameras
- Computers and iPads
- Curling irons
- Flat irons
- Hair dryers
- Combs and brushes
- Nail care
- Grooming kits
- Toiletries and lotions
- Gift packs
- Jewelry
- Girl’s age appropriate cosmetics
- Fashion hair items
- Jewelry boxes and other holders
- Headbands
- Creative arts of all sorts: jewelry making, drawing, face painting, card making, scrapbooking.
- Clothes: hoodies, warm-up suits of cotton or nylon, ladies sleeveless shirts, tennis shoes sizes Men’s 10 through 15, socks, underwear, pajamas, wallets, purses.
Alumni (Program/or Staff)
Click the link and learn about a former employee and long-time friend of Hospitality House Youth Development, Bob Olson.
Bob Olson ’65 | Blogs – Minnehaha Academy
https://www.minnehahaacademy.net/about/blog/board-post-page/~board/alumni/post/bob-olson-65
Would you or someone you know like to work at HHYD?
Did you know Hospitality House is hiring? HHYD is always looking for high-quality candidates to join our team.
We’re currently looking for:
Education Director
If you or anyone you know might be interested, please share this link to the job descriptions: https://hhyd.org/job-opportunities/
Site Visits
Interested in a Site Visit? Contact Walter Cox, Development Officer wcox@hhyd.org or 612.522.4485 ext. 19
Volunteer
Hospitality House is looking for new volunteers. Would you like to get involved? Do you or do you belong to a church, company or other organization that would like to learn more? Want to tutor a student in math or reading? Are you good at coaching? Do you like to write or make phone calls? Do you like to help plan events? What is your God given talent you would like to share?
We would love to hear from you! Call 612.522.4485 or apply online today…