NOVEMBER 2010

Our first young woman is now in Miss Beverly's House. She is 18, almost 19, and has been in foster care for about 8 years, in different types of homes....mostly of the group-type. I spent the first afternoon and evening with her last night. She is a senior in high school and would like to go to college and become a child lawyer.

How can we help this young woman move toward independence and less dependence on the system? This is key. Important goals for her:

1. graduate from high school

2. stay out of trouble

3. stay purposeful and focused; keep her busy and engaged

4. be her friend and encourager

5. help her secure a weekend job to supplement her small monthly stipend from DHS - she has little left after her board payment (rent/utilities) is deducted.

Although we have room for 4 young women (2 to a bedroom), we will probably take only one more and stick w/ that for a while....maybe the first 6 months. Baby steps.

Cheers to all,

GibAnn

August 10, 2010

Work day August 7 - thanks so much to the folks who came out to help us on Saturday: Molly, Emily, Linda, Kurt, Amy, Shannon - you guys were awesome!!!!

One more work day on August 14 - we will paint the front and back door, install a front and back porch light, install a back storm door, power wash the siding, and finish touch up painting inside.

We are days away from "opening" Miss Bev's House. Kitt - our in-house support person - is about to move in.....our bunk beds made by The Bed Project will be finished any moment.... the new HVAC is in (thanks to my husband's credit card).....

Lifting for Miss Beverly's House - Bill Fantegrossi is entering a lifting competition in September - he is taking pledges per pound of weight he lifts - proceeds are going to MBH. Go to "lifting for Miss Bev's House" on facebook to see the details and support Bill and MBH.

Cheers,
GibAnn

JUNE - JULY 2010

It's June 2010 and we're beginning to work with Kitt - our future in-house support person for Miss Bev's House. There are a number of how-to's and what-if' scenarios related to housing young women -- practical issues and concerns we'd like to already have sorted through when we open.

We're so jazzed about Kitt being our in-house support person. She was a resident assistant back in college, so she has a little experience with young women under her belt. We feel very fortunate to have her.

Our Timeline Set in Stone: late July and August, we will add a 2nd full bathroom to the house and work on a few outside projects. In August Kitt moves in and gets the feel for the house. September 1, we open our doors to young women.

Cheers to all!
GibAnn

May 2010

Good News, everyone: we will officially begin to take our first residents September 1, 2010. In the meantime, we have a temporary tenant in Miss Beverly's House - this helps us pay the bills and not lose our insurance!

It is looking very hopeful that Miss Beverly's target population will be young women who are aging out of the foster-care system, women who would benefit from a group home until ready to be on their own. We are very excited about this. It is also looking good that Miss Beverly's House will have an in-house den-mom, so to speak - a mentor and friend who will live in the house with the young women. We will be able to house four women at a time.

If you're looking for a volunteer project for a Saturday in late July and in August - we will need some extra hands. Our projects:

1. Plant grass and flowers

2. Trim windows and doors

3. Add storm/screen doors front and back

We will be working every Saturday in August from 9-2 a.m. If you can come and work one hour, two hours....or whatever.....we would love your help -- hey, we'll even serve you sandwiches and ice tea if you're around during lunch time. Call or e-mail me for other details you may need.

Cheers to all ----

GibAnn

REPORT ON OUR FUNDRAISER

March 27, 2010: Our fundraiser was not only fun, it was successful! After ticket and art sales, we raised a little over $2000. The Miss Beverly's House Board designated the proceeds toward paying off 1/3 of the building materials that were purchased on credit.

Thanks to all who helped us pull it off:

-Crossfire, the excellent band from Memphis area

-Jo Ann Phillips Wood, (put the band up in hotel)

- Our Board (Anya Saldana; J-roo Greer; Sheila Rupley; Nikki Burrow; Dennis Edge) who helped set up and plan

- Molly MacAskill - guest book

- Nate Greer - guest book

- Gary Burrow - guest book

- Gabe Saldana - designed and provided our fundraiser posters

- Raffle Donators

- Donating Artists

Cheers to all ----

GibAnn

WE'RE GEARING UP

We are gearing up for our fundraiser on March 27 at U.S. Pizza in Hillcrest - should be lots of fun with the band Crossfire playing for us, appetizers, and cash bar. Donations of art are ongoing - we have selections from both known and unknown artists providing a varied spectrum of affordable art for all.

Miss Beverly's House is almost finished! Carpeting gets installed within the next 10 days. We should be ready to furnish the house by the end of March. Yowza!

Cheers to all,

GibAnn

FEBRUARY 2010

SILENT ART AUCTION FUNDRAISER IS DEFINITELY ON FOR MARCH 27 @ U.S. PIZZA IN HILLCREST

ART
We're talking to artists now - both known and unknown - about donating a piece or two of their art. So far, we have 6 artists committed. Let us know if you know an artist who would donate.

PARTY
We will party at the fundraiser - we're celebrating after all!

-Memphis band Crossfire will play - come and dance
-Complementary Appetizers
-Cash Bar

$5 TICKETS AVAILABLE SOON

Cheers to all ....

GibAnn

January 2010

FUNDRAISER MARCH 2010
Our first fundraiser is planned for March 27, 2010. Place undetermined as of now...

Here's what we're planning so far:

- Tickets sell for $5 ea.
- Live dance music provided by Crossfire, a soft-rock/country band from Memphis
- Complementary Appetizers; Wine/Beer and other Beverages
- Silent Auction Art - looking for 10-15 donations of art by local and regional artists

Your suggestions and/or assistance w/ the fundraiser is certainly welcome.

STATUS ON HOUSE REHAB
Dennis is spending three weeks in January trying to finish the house. We're excited!

STATUS ON POTENTIAL RESIDENTS
Many conversations and discussions ongoing. More on this later. First residents likely for March.

DONATIONS STILL NEEDED?
Yes! And we will prepare receipts for all who have donated/will donate by the end of January.
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Cheers to all.

GibAnnn