Thank you for leading the Way

Giving doesn’t have an age limit. No one is ever too young or too old to serve and at The Hub OC, we believe that value is worth nurturing early in our community.

 

That is the foundation of Generous Generation, a year-long leadership program aimed at empowering middle school and high school students in the city to become compassionate, generous students within their schools and communities.

 

Five area schools will be employing this curriculum this school year.

 

“These kids, as you know, are coined the ‘most anxious generation’,” The Hub OC CEO Holiday Zimmerman said. “They're on their phones, they're all stressed. But we believe science proves, as does the Bible, that when you're generous, when you're giving of your time, talent or treasure, when you give of all those three things, it increases your mental health by about 60%.”

 

According to the Mental Wellbeing Association, many young people feel a sense of purpose and fulfillment when they serve others. It can be an important time when adolescents are forming their identity and self-worth.

 

Generous Generation is the brainchild of Ellie Zimmerman, The HUB OC’s major gifts officer and director of the program, who penned the curriculum that will be taught.

 

“God gave her a vision because she's a part of that generation and gave her the word Generous Generation,” Holiday said. “Then she brought it to the schools and they said yes. We had no idea that we would get one school, much less five.”

 

The Hub OC raised $99,485 this summer through the Lead the Way campaign! This included two $10,000 pledges to support two schools for an entire year. The additional support will help sustain Generous Generation, the Hub Youth Centers, Summer Camps, and other activities.

 

For the past six years, The Hub OC has raised funds that enabled more than 2,000 kids who are living below the poverty line, who are in foster care and young people who are navigating the challenges of the teen years to attend two youth camps.

 

But it wasn’t all work for the fundraising team at The Hub OC this past summer. There was plenty of fun, too.

 

Starting in June, the Lead the Way campaign staged a chili cookoff, held a car wash, ran a lemonade stand at Full Circle and organized the inaugural Lead the Way Pickleball Open. Other events were the Walk ‘n’ Shop at Full Circle Marketplace and Vision Weekend.

 

Although Lead the Way has ended, the fun doesn’t have to stop. Get back in the action by volunteering, donating and praying.

 

 

Image: Campers say good-bye to a fun-filled summer and will be heading back to school.

 

 

 

Image: Kids at the two summer camps were treated to Kona Ice.

One fun fact is that our kids had Kona Ice at least five times this summer! Thank you to Christy from Kona Ice for giving our kids a refreshing and cool summer with amazing treats!

 

We are now back in school and providing after-school programming at Cambridge Elementary and Palmyra GATE Magnet! 

 

We get to serve 200 students a day and each site totaling 400 students!!

Image: Library staff share resources with patrons, including information about checking out books.

 Sharing valuable resources

The Hub Resource Center excitedly welcomed the local public library staff, who shared information about the many free resources and were able to sign up 10 individuals for library cards. It was great to see our community excited to access another available valuable resource.

 

A special thank-you to our amazing volunteer, Sue Strozewski, who helped make this connection possible by connecting us with the public library. We are grateful for volunteers such as Sue, who continue to help us expand our network of resources and partnerships.

 

We are also thrilled to celebrate an incredible housing success!

 

Michael Diehl, who experienced homelessness for 10 years after an injury left him permanently disabled, signed a lease for his own apartment this month. He previously worked as an underwater welder.

 

After years of navigating different programs and resources, Michael is incredibly excited to begin this new chapter.

 

A huge shout-out to his case worker, Alex Geringer-Pate, for her continued advocacy, dedication and hard work in helping Michael reach this milestone!

 

For volunteer opportunities and updates, visit our website or follow us on social media.

Image: Shoppers enjoyed a fun-filled day visiting various stores on the Orange Circle.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Volunteer Opportunities: Looking to give back? We’re always seeking volunteers to help keep our store running and support The Hub OC’s programs. Shifts are available six days a week. Volunteer With Us

Image: Volunteers cleaned up the garden and brightened up a picnic table.

On August 5, Generous Generation came and helped with our garden and blessed us with a new picnic table. The teens came with a new table and painted it and brightened up the garden by pulling out the dead leaves and watering the plants.

On August 17 we served 52 children who received backpacks and supplies. We also had face painting, art, and the kids got to take home a picture polaroid of themselves to put on their fridge. 

Next Steps:

For September, the community center will be active in providing classes, clubs, and events for the families. We will have parenting classes, English classes, sewing classes, cooking classes, garden club, run club, bible study and a kids club. 

 

We are currently planning a sensory night for kids on the spectrum as we want the families to feel seen and included.