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Mission Minute
We have the Happiest Toddlers on the Block!
In January, Alpha House of Tampa received an unique opportunity for Amye Bock, a graduate student at University of South Florida, to teach some of our residents an innovative behavioral parent training program called “The Happiest Toddler on The Block” written and created by pediatrician Harvey Karp, M.D. The emphasis of the program teaches parents to communicate differently with their toddlers by using what Dr. Karp calls “toddlerease”.
The program has really made a difference in the lives of these families. One mom was particularly frustrated by and hopeless about her toddler’s behavior, which the mom attributed to the instability and chaos in their lives prior to coming to Alpha House of Tampa. The mom and Amye really stuck to the program over 3-4 months and now this little girl is listening, playing and interacting appropriately both with her mother and with others. Another mom has learned to set limits with her two very active toddler boys whose impulsive behavior was very difficult to manage. Again, their mom and Amye worked closely using the Happiest Toddler program and the boys are very responsive to their mom’s new parenting skills.
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What's Been Happening
UNVEILING OF LAUREN'S KIDS 'A ROOM OF HER OWN' BEDROOM
On the morning of February 6th, 2012 Alpha House of Tampa was honored to be the starting point in Tampa for Lauren’s Kids statewide 'Walk in My Shoes' for awareness and prevention of sexual abuse. Lauren Book, Lauren’s Kids Founder, CEO, and sexual abuse survivor, toured the maternity residence to marvel at the newly designed bedrooms in the Room of Her Own project. An unexpected surprise lifted smiles from the staff, residents, and Lauren's entire team when Lauren adopted the 20th and last bedroom! Within just a few days, Room of Her Own designer and Co-Chair, Cynthia Keenan of CK Designs teamed up with Lauren to create the concept and budget for the room. Alpha House of Tampa held a ribbon-cutting event to unveil the newly-designed bedroom on May 15th that included Lauren's friends, family and colleagues. 'Like' us on Facebook to see all photos from the event!
BONNIE CENTER - DECK DEDICATION
(L-R) Henry Woodroffe (Alpha House Board Member) Father David L. Toups, Cynthia Keenan (Alpha House Board Member), Patricia J. Langford (Alpha House Executive Director), Thomas Mendel ( Boy Scout - Troup 45), Ed Mierzejewski (Alpha House Board President), Buck Jones (Alpha House Board Member)
The deck behind Bonnie Center, our maternity residence, was unsafe and unused for more than seven years until a local Boy Scout, Thomas Mendel, took on the challenge of renovating it for his Eagle project. Thomas was responsible for the fundraising and labor of renovating the deck. The South Tampa Chamber of Commerce was in attendance to administer the ribbon cutting and after the dedication our residents enjoyed a BBQ on their brand new deck. Thanks to Christ the King Catholic Church, College Hunks Hauling Junk, Home Depot and all our donors for their support of this exciting project!
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HAPPY BAT MITZVAH, MARLIN!
Marlin (left) sent a letter last Fall letting us know that she planned to make a donation to Alpha House in celebration of her Bat Mitzvah this Spring. On June 6, Marlin, her parents, and two siblings delivered 32 baby hats handmade by Marlin and baby blankets handmade by her friends and family. New maternity clothes, baby clothes, and $150.00 from her Bat Mitzvah funds were also donated in her basket of goodies. Marlin wrote, “I’m so happy that I’m able to help mothers and babies in my community who are in need. Thank you for all you do for our Tampa community." Marlin, you’re an inspiration to young women and we’re grateful you chose Alpha House of Tampa to benefit from your Bat Mitzvah. Mazel!
ALPHA UNIVERSITY CLASS OF 2012
This summer Alpha House introduced “Alpha University,” a new, on-campus life-skills and literacy day program designed for our clients who are not currently employed or enrolled in school, GED prep classes or other outside program. Alpha University offers daily book club, group lunch/cooking class/nutrition education, life skill classes such as sexual and domestic abuse awareness, anger management, financial literacy, health and hygiene, resume and job applications, self-esteem, childbirth and breast feeding. The weekly schedule also includes recreational activities and field trips. This new program has been well-attended with 8-10 clients participating each day. Alpha U. “students” have already read and discussed “Speak,” Laurie Halse Anderson's award-winning novel about a teenager who chooses not to speak rather than to give voice to what really happened to her.
The next book club selection is “The Pregnancy Project,” whose author, Gaby Rodriguez, will be the keynote speaker at the Alpha House of Tampa 2nd Annual Parent Conference on September 21.
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