Ride The Ducks

The members of Ride the Ducks drove out in the snow and ice to help us. They drove their large Duck mobiles up our back drive and filed out of them, each person smiling and saying hello to each other and us. The Ducks divided into groups where one group took the enormous painting job of our outer hallway which connects several buildings. They also took a small group to assist in the organization of the Activity Center for our After School Program. After the work, Ride the Ducks played a game of volleyball with some of our children.

Comments about the great job from our staff and children:

"Before the Ducks came our hallway was a dreary green. It was very institutional and often was not reassuring to the children." -Northern Home for Children Staff Member

Thanks to the ducks our long hallway was painted a brighter cream and immediately there were compliments from staff, parents, and even some after school children. Everyone felt the new look was refreshing and created a feeling of coziness and safety. Thank You!

XL America Reinsurance Inc.

Thursday, May 10th would be different for several XL employees in the Philadelphia area. We were graced with the privilege to interact and contribute to an institution that endeavors to enhance the lives of foster and troubled children. -XL America Volunteers.

Scared, nervous, angry, or confused - when a child first arrives at the Northern Home for Children it is not of their own volition. The transition into a foster facility can be alleviated by the existence of child-friendly and warm surroundings. The XL team diligently worked to make this happen. Lauren enlisted the help of her artistically talented sister, Megan, to paint a beautiful mural portraying hope on one of the hallway sections.

"XL America painted a dark blue sky mural with a small child in their pajamas reaching up to a star so that our children could fill in the stars. Now some of our After School children, whom love art, have an opportunity to paint in the stars in the night sky."- Northern Home for Children Staff.

Christine’s steady and exacting hand painted a perfect line of pale blue color along the wall's edge to brighten a meeting room where children have weekly visitation with their parent(s). Chris was joined by four additional XL volunteers who painted moldings, walls, and bulletin boards in the same room.

"I cannot begin to tell you what a difference the paint has made...from depressing to bright and cheery. The visitation room is where the foster kids and parents meet so it is important that it be a welcoming room." -Florence M. Alberque, MPA, Director of Child Welfare, Northern Home Children and Family Services.

Outside the building many were hard at work in the gardens. A team of five strong men weeded, tilled and planted a new vegetable garden. Peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, beans and more were carefully sowed with the hope of a bountiful harvest to be picked by the students.

Meanwhile the entrance was given a facelift. Colorful perennials were planted where the driveway meets the main road and the center circle was rid of overgrown weeds. Ann’s pruning shears and delicate touch were the right combination to create a beautiful and well-tended garden.

This was a wonderful opportunity to reach out and enhance a difficult experience for youngsters. Paint, flowers, and a vegetable garden may not sound like much, but for a scared child first arriving at a foster care facility the warmth and caring are welcome.

GAP

GAP has been a partner who keeps on giving of their time and energy to help.

This year they continued by assisting us in the massive task of organizing our donations. Each year we receive donations of clothing, shoes, toys, and many other necessary items for our children and families. GAP was able to not only organize the donations but make them look as if you were in a retail store where everything has its place, is visible, and easy to reach. This is truly important so that our social workers and their families can find the donations they need and so that we can know what kind of donations to continue to ask for.

"My little girl was able to find clothing for the summer heat and a jacket for the rain." -Northern Home for Children Family.

"The donations are so important for our children and families. I am so happy that we can now see everything that is there and be able to provide it to them." -Northern Home for Children Social Worker.

"This must have taken so much time but because of that now I can speedily get my families what they need because GAP took the time." -Northern Home for Children Social Worker

The GAP Team works really well together and there is always laughter together as they work. They have come out twice this year to offer their help and we look forward to seeing GAP again.

Thank you GAP for all your hard work!