Win free tickets to New Grounds comedy night 26th of April! Like this page and you might be the lucky one. And remember if you don’t win, tickets are still available for only $15!
Unique Opportunity to Network With and Learn from
Providers and Advocates from Across the Country
The National Alliance to End Homelessness has opened online registration for its July 16-18, 2012 National Conference on Ending Homelessness in Washington, DC. This conference…
On Thursday the 26th of April New Ground is hosting a comedy night fundraiser at Governor’s comedy club in Lewittown. Please bring all your friends, have a laugh and support New Grounds cause. Entry is just 15$! Visit our Facebook page for more info http://ping.fm/e24tU
National Alliance Offers Homeless Veteran
Funding Advocacy Opportunities
On March 8, 2012, The Huffington Post highlighted the issue of veterans homelessness in an article, “Startling Statistics About Veterans Homelessness: CAP” with key figures that came out of a recent study…
National Alliance Offers Homeless Veteran
Funding Advocacy Opportunities
20 stories for 20 years
Tara* and her four children became homeless through a series of unfortunate events. She came to New
Ground with just the basics of clothing and some personal items, but also with the motivation and enduring
drive to put her life on a better track for her family’s future. During her time with us, Tara fi rst completed
her Bachelor Degree and then began her Master Degree program to become a Social Worker. She chose
this career path because of the numerous professionals who had helped her during very diffi cult years. She
wanted the opportunity to give back and eventually do for others. Tara’s children at fi rst were struggling
in school but with New Ground’s intensive educational services including educational advocacy, tutoring,
and the Reading All Stars Program, they are all achieving ever greater heights in school.
We can try to tell this family’s story, but it is best said in Tara’s own words. The following was given
to New Ground as she completed her Master Degree. This is from the dedication page of a paper Tara
submitted on the effectiveness of the homeless shelter system.
T e l : ( 5 1 6 ) 5 6 4 - 4 7 6 4 • F a x : ( 5 1 6 ) 5 6 5 - 4 6 8 3
w e b s i t e : w w w . n e w g r o u n d . o r g
211 FU LTO N AV E N U E
HE M P S TE A D , N.Y. 11550
20th Anniversary
Celebrating 20 Years
of Breaking the Cycle of Homelessness
1991
2011
February 2012
Dear Friends of New Ground,
Thank you for taking this journey with us through our ‘20 Stories for 20 Years’ in recognition of New
Ground’s Twentieth Anniversary. We have enjoyed the opportunity to remember those who have shared
their sorrows, joys and greatest accomplishments with us; we hope you have enjoyed learning more about
them. THANK YOU to everyone who gave a little more these past twelve months to help guarantee that we
can continue to make these life changing dreams come true for our residents.
As we embark on our 21st year of service to homeless families and Veterans, our fi nal past and current
story is one and the same. As this family prepares for graduation from our Long Term Housing Program
to begin their independent future, we are honored to share just part of their story. Their achievements and
successes are yours – your generosity and support over the years made this possible.
Thank you for continuing to care and make a difference in the lives of so many.
Sincerely,
Shannon Boyle, LMSW
Executive Director
20 STORIES FOR 20 YEARS…
This particular paper is of great importance to me, because we are one of these families. Following a series of house fires, we
went from temporarily displaced to truly being without a home. It is a frightening feeling to know you can never go back again
and have no idea of where you are headed. Fortunately, I never had to experience living in a shelter, but I understand the fear
of uncertainty. I want to thank New Ground for opening your doors. By accepting my family you have changed our world.
You have exposed us to opportunities and resources that other people can only dream about. When I think about that
cramped little room filled with tears, fears, heartache and pain, I know that there are miracles. This program has been a
blessing to me and mine. I will forever be grateful.
I ask that others read this and find understanding. I have had the advantage of working for the system and having to rely
upon it. I know what it is to be on the other side of the glass. This experience has taught me valuable lifelong lessons. The
first is to always do my best to help others in need for I never know when it will be my turn. Second, I learned that good
change can come about if the appropriate measures are taken. How we approach the problem makes all the difference of how
things will turn out. If I can go from being a single teen aged mother and having four children by the age of 24 to receiving
a master’s degree and purchasing my own home, then the sky is truly the limit.
*All names have been changed to protect the confidentiality of our residents
Over the next couple of months, Tara will become a homeowner. Her eldest child graduated
from high school last June, receiving a full scholarship to attend college in September 2011. Her
other three children are all doing well and on track to follow in their sibling’s footsteps.
This family’s future is bright and full of promise thanks to all of you who gave the necessary
support for this vital work to continue.
~ Thank You ~
November 2003,
Dear New Ground Staff,
I never took the time to thank you all for everything you all did for my kids and myself, and what better time
then now to do so. You really can’t imagine how grateful we are for your support and your help in our
time of need. The kids may not know how much of a blessing it was for New Ground to take us in and
give us a place to stay while going through what was in God’s plan. Although sometimes my best wasn’t
good enough, I still have to say thank you so very much for everything. We all fall down, but we do get up!
God placed you all in our lives, and made it possible to grow together. We have so much to be thankful
for, not just my family but so many other families because of your kindness. We can never thank you all
enough, really I mean that. We are thankful for bread, room & board, friends & families, and so much
more. God takes very good care of us. Just want you all to know from our hearts to your hearts how much
we love you all and again we thank you all for everything you’ve done for us.
Yours truly,
Carla*
20 STORIES FOR 20 YEARS…
Thank you for providing Carla, her children and so many other families with this
life changing opportunity.
Carla and her three children came to New Ground because she could not afford an apartment of her
own. Although she was working fulltime, she was in a minimum wage position and unable to afford even
the basics for her family. Two of her children were living with her mother while she and the youngest
stayed with an aunt. Coming to New Ground allowed her to be reunited with all of her children under
one roof, while working on goals to secure an independent future.
Within her first year, Carla completed a vocational training program earning a 4.0 GPA. She used her
new certification to secure a better paying position and began to save her increased income for her future.
While with New Ground, she also ensured that her children did well in school, utilizing the Tutoring
Program and other educational services offered. One of the hardest transitions Carla had to make was
parenting on her own – she had always lived with an older relative who participated in her parenting,
whether she wanted the help or not. Besides working on her concrete goals, Carla and her New Ground
Social Worker spent a great deal of time improving her parenting skills so she could be sure to raise her
children to also be successful long after leaving the program.
Carla and her children graduated from New Ground in August 2002, moving into a market rent apartment
in Suffolk County. She was ecstatic to have a place of her own with the knowledge that her hard work
had made it possible. We were thrilled to receive the above letter from Carla after her graduation, as she
settled into her new and wonderful life.
