Building Lasting Family Bonds

We are excited to announce our new Family Connections program, a parenting support initiative designed to assist families during the crucial early years of a child's life. Each family is paired with a Family Support Specialist who provides monthly visits, either in person, virtually, or in the community. These visits offer guidance, encouragement, and practical parenting strategies aimed at enhancing parent-child engagement, supporting early learning, and connecting caregivers with essential resources.

During the program, families participate in structured activities that promote play and learning, and they receive developmental screenings to monitor their child's growth. In addition to individual visits, families are invited to attend workshops and community events that celebrate early learning through play, music, and art, while also providing opportunities to connect with other caregivers.

Family Connections acknowledges that every family has unique strengths and challenges. Therefore, families are also connected to community resources that can assist with practical needs such as housing, childcare, healthcare, and food assistance. At the end of the six-month program, parents have the opportunity to reflect on their progress with their Family Support Specialist and set future goals.

This program is vital for our community as it provides trusted, one-on-one support during a critical time when families are establishing a foundation for their children's growth. Parents leave the program feeling more confident and connected, while children benefit from improved relationships and enhanced opportunities to learn and thrive. By nurturing both children and caregivers, Family Connections contributes to building stronger families and communities in Philadelphia.

Families living in Philadelphia who are expecting a baby or raising children aged 0–8 years are welcome to join. It's easy to enroll, simply complete the form at the link below!

Click here for more information about the Family Connections program.

Thank You to Cigna & MLM Roofing!

August was a wonderful month for HopePHL as we partnered with various organizations to find ways to make the people we serve feel special and appreciated throughout the year, whether it’s on their birthday or any other day.

We are incredibly grateful to Cigna Healthcare for their efforts in assembling 500 birthday bags for the children and adults we serve. Each bag is filled with a variety of goodies, including playing cards, journals, lotions, ChapStick, hygiene kits, mini activity books, crayons, bouncy balls, colorful pens, fidget toys, and more. Everyone deserves to celebrate their special day, and thanks to Cigna Healthcare, we can ensure that many children and adults will feel celebrated on their next birthday!

We also had the amazing opportunity to attend a Team Bonding event with MLM Roofing, where we watched them paint skateboards and helmets to donate to our youth. Each group had a different theme, ranging from "Riding the Wave" to "Traveling Places Unknown." The teams were dedicated and focused on the details while bringing their creative visions to life. Each skateboard was accompanied by a handwritten card featuring inspiring messages of hope and joy from the MLM Roofing team. The cards also included an insert that allows the children to scan it and receive a video from Tony Hawk himself!

We are so thankful for these organizations, along with all the others who take the time to truly make a difference in the lives of those we serve!

Stephanie Discovers a New Artistic Passion

Stephanie, a talented and creative 6th grader at Martha Washington Academics Plus School, has always had a flair for the arts. Despite her natural artistic abilities, she had never ventured into the world of CAD or 3D modeling until recently. Her journey began when our dedicated school partner at the Artistic & Cultural Enrichment Program (ACE), recognized her potential and referred her to our program, convinced she would thrive in this new medium—and he was absolutely right!

Once we introduced Stephanie to TinkerCAD, her enthusiasm quickly grew. Over the course of a few months, she dove into the software and brought her imaginative ideas to life. She started by designing a sleek race car, carefully considering its shape and colors to make it stand out. Next, she took on the challenge of creating a series of delightful and whimsical creatures, each more creative than the last, showcasing her vivid imagination and artistic style.

Stephanie also decided to design two rooms from her ideal dream house. She meticulously crafted a warm and inviting bedroom, followed by a bright and cheerful kitchen, and a stylish living room where she envisioned hosting friends and family.

Through this process, Stephanie experienced the joy of 3D design and was proud to add this new skill to her growing artistic repertoire, helping her become an even more well-rounded artist. We're excited to see where her creativity takes her next!

Click here for more about our programs and the Fall 2025 class schedule!

The McManus Memo: Practicing Child Passenger Safety

Contribution from Joey McCool Ryan, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

The McManus Memo is a special section of our newsletter that highlights health and wellness related stories pertinent to HopePHL’s community, in recognition of the outstanding lifetime contributions in community medicine of long-time YES volunteer and supporter, R. Patrick McManus, Jr. MD.

Taking care of ourselves and our loved ones physically is about much more than just maintaining a balanced diet and staying active. It also involves making smart choices for prevention and safety. September designates Child Passenger Safety Week (September 21-27), a crucial time for raising awareness about the importance of keeping children safe in vehicles. The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia has taken proactive steps to share valuable information and practical examples, ensuring that parents and caregivers are well-equipped with the knowledge and resources they need to protect their children while traveling on the road.

Joey McCool Ryan, Senior Public Relations Specialist at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) shares, "our child passenger safety experts are dedicated to keeping your child safe on the road. These educational videos can help you choose and properly install a child safety seat, use the LATCH system, and learn about air bag safety to help protect your baby from serious injuries." You can watch the videos here.

Click here for more tips and resources to use for child passenger safety.

Vanguard Works to Transform HopePHL Spaces

In August, the Vanguard Investment Management Team joined us to enhance some of our resident spaces. They organized the library, painted the downstairs lounge at Gloria's Place, and packed 100 welcome kits that included toiletries, sheets, books, and more! We are very grateful for our partnership with Vanguard and the contributions their volunteers have made to improve the lives of those we serve over the years. Vanguard employee and HopePHL Board Chair, Jessie Heckman, expressed that their team aims to benefit the non-profits they partner with by truly showing up and listening to the specific needs of each organization.

"To truly serve, you need to understand our communities where we live and work. You do this by engaging with real people and addressing their genuine issues. You thoughtfully listen, you propose resources or access you might have, and you let the community lead the way on what will be most helpful. When it comes to service, the community should always be in the driver's seat on what will make the most difference," she says.

At HopePHL, we are incredibly grateful to have partners like Vanguard, whose members are committed to making a difference and learning more about their communities. Jessie shares, "our employees learn so much from their engagement with our partner nonprofits that I’ve often had employees tell me they feel like they received more from the experience than the nonprofit itself, and many express a desire to do more."

Vanguard has shown impressive dedication to their volunteer responsibilities. Some team members even returned on a Saturday to complete their painting project, allowing us to move along in our remodeling process of our downstairs lounge! We look forward to continuing our partnership in many more ways in the future.

Click here for full gallery of the volunteer day!

Meet our HopePHL Staff: Lauren Weinberg

Job Title: Career Developer

Time at HopePHL? One and a half years

Can you share more about your position? 

HopePHL’s Career Program assists our clients of varying skill sets and talents to become self-reliant through employment, all in the interest of improving their own lives and their prospects. We want to give our clients the opportunity to thrive. 

As the Career Developer, I work to prepare clients to enter or reenter the workforce via conducting resume and cover letter development, mock interviewing, the job application process, as well as emphasizing the importance of job retention.

Additionally, I work to connect with area businesses with the intent of creating new partnerships, hence new opportunities for our clients. I do this via several varying mechanisms including employer search and initial outreach, both virtually as well as in person. I educate Recruiters and Human Resources Departments about HopePHL services and explore ways in which Career Development at HopePHL can effectively partner with employers willing to give our clients opportunities for employment, trainings, and education.

I have also just recently launched a weekly event entitled "Career Club at the Computer Lab." This will provide the chance to work on computer skills and job search/resume composition simultaneously, with the assistance of Computer Lab staff and myself. There is a plan for future guest speakers (eg: employers and trainers) and possible job events as this course continues to develop.

What is your favorite part of your job? 

My favorite part of being the Career Developer here at HopePHL is working with our clients. It's seeing the clients find success and forward movement toward a brighter future. Every success, no matter how small it may seem, is a step toward the ultimate goal: work.

Who is your biggest inspiration? 

My biggest inspiration is the clients whom we serve. It is the feeling of seeing client success and motivation to keep going, working alongside me to find the right job or training program to assist in meeting goals. It's a celebration each time.

What are you most looking forward to about Fall?

Fall will bring new opportunities and referrals my way and I look forward to meeting all my new connections, be it client or employer.

Prioritize Your Wellness

By: Jeannette Cole, Director of Behavior Health Services at HopePHL

September is National Self-Care Month, a meaningful time to reflect on how we nurture our well-being. Self-care involves intentionally taking steps to support our physical, emotional, and mental health. It's not just about relaxation or pampering; it's about establishing habits that help us manage stress, prevent burnout, and maintain balance in our lives. Research indicates that regular self-care can improve mood, boost immunity, and enhance focus and productivity.

Self-care looks different for everyone. For some, it may mean getting enough sleep, eating balanced meals, and staying physically active. For others, it might involve setting boundaries, saying no when necessary, or making time for hobbies and creative outlets. Emotional self-care can include journaling, practicing gratitude, or talking with a trusted friend or therapist. Mindfulness techniques—such as deep breathing, meditation, or simply taking a few quiet moments away from screens—can help regulate stress and increase self-awareness.

The key to self-care is consistency. Even small daily actions, like drinking water, stretching, or stepping outside for fresh air, can have a cumulative positive effect.

This month, join us in taking time to explore what self-care means to you. Try one new practice, reflect on what helps you feel restored, and remember: caring for yourself is not selfish; it is foundational to living a healthy, fulfilling life.

Find more self-care tips, exercises, and resources here!

Thank you so much for being a part of our community!

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