Improving the quality of life for children infected with and affected by HIV and AIDS through enriching programs, unforgettable experiences, and connections to the community. |
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Your monthly news & updates |
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H.E.R.O. BACK-TO-SCHOOL BASH 2020, PART II |
As previously mentioned in last month’s newsletter, we were not able to host our annual Back-to-School Bash in person due to the current pandemic. However, this did not deter us from supporting our kids this 2020-2021 school year! We elected to order pre-packaged, school supply kits online and have them delivered directly to our families. We are pleased to have been able to serve 58 children via our 2020 Back-to-School Bash event - 26 children in July and an additional 32 in August!
H.E.R.O. is excited to have been able to facilitate this event despite the current, unpredictable circumstances. Special thanks to the Vinings Cumberland Rotary Club for becoming a financial donor to this outreach in August, and to all who supported this project.
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H.E.R.O. AUGUST VIDEO/AUDIO/ESSAY COMPETITION ON THE PANDEMIC AND EDUCATION |
In August, H.E.R.O. invited our children to submit video, audio, or essay entries that answered one or more of the following questions:
1) What did you think/how did you feel when you heard about children physically returning to school during this COVID-19 pandemic?
2) Do you believe it is too early for children to physically return to school? Why or why not?
3) What do you believe are the positive and negative effects of virtual learning?
4) What precautions do you believe your school district should put in place to help ensure the safety of all students during this COVID-19 pandemic?
5) What precautions will you take when returning to school to minimize your chances of catching COVID-19 and help prevent the virus from spreading?
Congratulations to our winners
First place winner – Josetta
Second place winner – Kenya
Below, please find Josetta’s winning submission: (included with permission from Josetta and her father).
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We are so proud of both of our August contest winners! Each winner received a Visa gift card - $100 for 1st place, and $50 for 2nd place. We thank everyone who submitted an entry for this competition. H.E.R.O. looks forward to introducing new competitions for our children in the near future. |
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BRIGHT HEROS AWARDS SCHOLARSHIPS FOR VIRTUAL LEARNING |
In August, H.E.R.O. granted Bright HEROs awards that will provide laptops and related software/accessories to three children who are struggling to adjust to virtual learning. We are happy to be able to provide this intervention that will assist in filling the academic gaps caused by this pandemic.
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H.E.R.O. SHARES VIRTUAL PROGRAMS - CIRQUE DU SOLEIL |
On August 7th, HERO invited its children and families to participate in two virtual opportunities. First, we shared information on Alvin Ailey’s “All Access” pass, which offered admission to streaming online videos of wonderful, past stage performances, free of charge! Secondly, we invited our families to view a special benefit concert by and for the Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles (YOLA) premiering Friday, August 7th. We will continue to seek and provide entertaining, virtual programming to our clientele during the pandemic.
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ABBREVIATED HOLIDAY OF HEROS 2020 |
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, H.E.R.O. has decided not to convene the various groups of volunteers required to execute our normal Holiday of HEROs (HOH) program. We believe this is the best course of action to take to ensure the collective health and safety of our staff and volunteers. As a result, we will facilitate HOH in an abbreviated form this year. We are inviting businesses, community partners, churches, groups, and individuals to get involved with this exciting program by donating clothing store gift cards (i.e. Ross, TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Macy’s, Old Navy) and/or our most requested gift items (Click Here for List) .
ABOUT HOLIDAY OF HEROS PROGRAM
The HOH program allows us to partner with other AIDS organizations and hospitals in Georgia to provide children affected by HIV and AIDS with one item they need and one gift they want during the holiday season. Our partner organizations include Jerusalem House, AID Atlanta, and Live Forward, as well as pediatric AIDS clinics in Atlanta, Athens, Macon, Augusta, Albany, and Savannah. An HIV/AIDS diagnosis for those from low-income families, which is our highest service population, usually comes with great financial difficulty due to healthcare costs and the inability of an infected adult to work consistently. This program meets a needs for our children during the holidays.
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H.E.R.O. IS LOOKING FOR VIRTUAL PROGRAM IDEAS |
During this difficult time, H.E.R.O. for Children, Inc. has been forced to suspend in-person programming for our children. With this said, we are looking to provide them and their families with new and innovative, virtual opportunities. If you have access to or ideas regarding appropriate, virtual activities or events for youth and adolescents, please e-mail our Match and Development Coordinator – Nadia Eliacin – at nadia@heroforchildren.org.
We thank you in advance for your ideas and support! Please continue to stay safe.
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H.E.R.O. is openly recruiting volunteer tutors to assist our students in the areas of math, science, social studies, language arts, and reading. We would prefer volunteers who are at least 25 years old, and have prior teaching/tutoring experience. If you are interested, please email our Match and Development Coordinator – Nadia Eliacin – at nadia@heroforchildren.org.
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Super HERO Mentors Needed |
The Super HEROes Mentoring Program is a community-based, one-on-one mentoring program serving children infected with and affected by HIV/AIDS. The program provides these children with the opportunity to have a positive role model through a mentor and to strengthen their life skills, self-esteem, communication skills, goal-setting and academic performance.
Volunteer mentors needed to:
- Spend one-on-one quality time with a child at least twice a month, a minimum of two hours each time (virtually during the pandemic).
- Participate with the child in a bi-monthly group activity organized and sponsored by H.E.R.O. for Children (virtually during the pandemic).
- Be a positive role model for the child.
- Contribute to strengthening the child's self-esteem, social adjustment and life skills.
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HERO VIRTUAL GAMES EVENT
Saturday, September 19th, 2020 | 12 PM
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