Sister Mary’s Holiday Letter 2024

Dear Friends,

The first snowfall is predicted, and that is a sure sign that Christmas is coming. This is a remarkably busy time of year with so many tasks that often leave little time for memories and reflections. But this year, my Christmas memory takes me back to the first Christmas at Blessing House.

 During the month of December, a mom had come to request placement for her two girls because she was homeless. The older girl attended kindergarten and the younger was just two years old. They had been homeless for quite some time and had been at the shelter and staying with relatives periodically. Mom obviously wanted something better for the girls, so she asked for placement at Blessing House. The girls were sweet and very friendly. The staff welcomed them and did all they could to make them feel at home while they were here.

For children who stay at Blessing House as their first time away from home, it can be challenging. It is a new house with new folks caring for them and they are away from mom who has always been the one to care for them. That is how it was for these two young girls. Despite everyone's efforts, there were times when they just wanted to be with Mom. They always looked forward to the times she called just to see how they were doing.

As Christmas drew closer, we knew that the girls especially missed Mom. One evening after the girls were in their pajamas and ready for bed, we were in the playroom watching a Christmas video. Suddenly, there was a knock on the front door. It was dark and we were not sure who it was. What a surprise when we looked out the window to see Santa Claus (a Blessing House friend) knocking on our door!  Imagine the amazement when Santa Claus walked into the playroom ringing his sleigh bells and shouting, “Merry Christmas!”

What a wonderful surprise for these two young girls! They had been worried that Santa would not find them that year because they were not with their Mom at home. And into their lives, walked a wonderfully gentle and caring Santa. Santa asked each of them their names and then talked to them about what they hoped to get at Christmas time. Gone were the sad faces and the worry about not being at home. Santa had found them and that was important. New HOPE bubbled up in the girls as they knew that they had not been forgotten.

I still have the picture of the two girls sitting on Santa's lap as he places his big arms around them. I remember so well the way the atmosphere changed just by him being present. I have often thought how miraculous that gift of presence was for those girls. We could not give them a home with their Mom, but we were able to give them a joyous Christmas and a home for a brief time where they felt cared for and loved.

A few weeks ago, we gathered for our 20th Rock-A-Bye Ball. It was a night filled with memories and celebration as we honored the 1,900 children who have stayed with us since we opened. Our youngest came to us as a newborn just a few days old, and our oldest was just days away from turning 13. Some were only with us for 24 hours while others have stayed for months. I believe for each of those children, we have been HOPE for them and for their families. Our wonderful staff Is so good at helping the children feel loved and making sure their needs are met. It is your generous support that enables us to provide a safe home for these children.

At Blessing House, we are on a path of continuous improvement. We shared last year that we were awarded a three-year accreditation by CARF, an international accrediting agency. Our focus remains on incorporating best practices in the care we give our children. This includes providing trauma informed care for the children who stay with us. This means from the first phone call that we receive, we seek awareness of the difficulties and trauma that the child and family members may have experienced. This influences everything we do as we meet them the first time, bring them into our house and provide for their needs. As a result of plans submitted to the state regarding the services we provide, we have been designated as a qualified residential program (QRP). This distinction speaks to the level of best practices that are incorporated into the care given at Blessing House and recognizes our highly trained staff who are committed to bringing HOPE to those who have none.

As we begin to decorate for Christmas, we bring out various manger scenes that are placed throughout the house. The story of the birth of Jesus brings that same feeling of HOPE that Santa brought to our young girls – that there is someone who always knows where you are and helps you feel loved.

God’s presence at Blessing House is evident in the many gifts we receive from you. This presence is the gift that we share with all who call us for help, finding many simple ways that we can share that presence with family, friends, and strangers that we meet each day. During this time of waiting, we invite and encourage you, also, to be a sign of HOPE in your world to those around you.

We wish you the blessings of Christmas! Know you and your family will be in our prayers throughout this Holiday Season.