celebrating our SECOND christmas
This time of year is very special for our girls. For the first time in a while, our Esi's House mommies and babies are going to feel warmth, stability, & sisterhood for the holiday season.
What It's Like Living At Esi's House
Emma speaks at Esi's House of H.O.P.E. Friendsgiving
Her Opportunities, Pathways, and Empowerment
stay connected to us on IG: @esishouse
This year, we are celebrating with a pink Christmas tree, a Christmas party, a pajama photoshoot, and a surprise weekend girls trip! We need your support to make this vision come to life.
Esi's House Facts
Who We Are? Our community-based transitional housing program is designed to provide shelter and support to homeless pregnant teens and parenting girls aged 18 to 24, along with their dependent children under the age of 5. This particular space would work for a young woman who does well living independently (with normal “big sister”/”house manager” support), but is struggling to afford her own place to live due to finances, and the time commitment of raising a child and pursuing an education or career.
What We Do? We provide longer-term transitional housing for teen moms. We have a special program for pregnant and parenting teen moms who are interested in pursuing their education.
Through our program, we take a look at what her current expenses are, and determine how we can work with her to help cover or supplement them so that she can reduce her employment from full-time to part-time, and focus her energy on school and caring for her child.
This would include:
- living on-site in our shared housing to reduce living expenses (usually the biggest expense)
- furniture
- shared meals
- transportation
- diapers, wipes, bottles, & baby clothing
- toiletries & hygiene
- holidays and birthdays for mommy and child
- leisure activities
- self care
and anything else that she needs in order to live comfortably.
In addition to basic needs, we provide supportive services including but not limited to our "Weekly Support Circle/Girl Talk", "Big Sister 1-on-1 Mentorship", parenting skills, and financial literacy. She can live with us as long as she needs in order to finish school and purchase a home or rent with a healthy savings in place.
Why We're Different? Our home stands out through its intimate settings (no more than 6 rooms per home) that foster trust, support, and effective learning, enabling an environment where emotional well-being thrives. Our unique commitment to cultural relevance, led by a team of women who were once teen mothers themselves, ensures a nurturing atmosphere where relatable content meets personal experiences.
How To Host A Drive
Thank you for expressing interest in supporting our Teen Moms' Christmas Party! Your generosity will make a meaningful difference in the lives of young mothers and their children during this festive season. To ensure the success of your drive, please follow these instructions:
1. Understand the Purpose:
Familiarize yourself with the goals of our Teen Moms' Christmas Party. Thanks to our generous board members and sponsoring partners, we already have a Christmas Tree and toys for the children! The goal of this party is to go beyond gifts. We aim to provide a joyful and memorable holiday experience for teen moms and their children by collecting decorations for our pink, silver, and white Christmas tree, raising money to gift our girls with a weekend trip, and collecting essential items to make our girls feel at home.
2. Review the Wish List:
Take a look at our detailed wish list, which outlines specific items needed for the Christmas party. The list covers the cost of a weekend trip for the mommies and their children, festive decorations, and any other essential items. You can find the wish list attached here, or visit our www.esishouse.org/Christmas for easy reference.
3. Set Up a Collection Point:
Designate a convenient location where supporters can drop off their donations. This could be your home, workplace, local businesses, or community centers. Ensure that the collection point is accessible and secure.
4. Promote the Drive:
Spread the word! Use your social networks, community bulletin boards, and local media to promote the drive. Share the wish list, along with information about the Christmas party and the positive impact your supporters can make.
5. Provide Clear Instructions:
Communicate the types of items we are looking for and the duration of the drive (November 27th-December 20th). Make it easy for supporters to understand how they can contribute and where they can drop off their donations.
6. Engage Local Businesses:
Reach out to local businesses and ask if they would be willing to contribute or serve as additional collection points. Collaborating with the community can significantly enhance the success of the drive.
7. Utilize Our Online Presence
We encourage everyone to follow our instagram @esishouse. This platform can serve as a central hub for updates, communication, and a way for supporters to connect with each other.
8. Coordinate Volunteers:
Consider recruiting volunteers to assist with the drive. Volunteers can help with collecting, sorting, and packaging donations, making the process more efficient and enjoyable.
9. Express Gratitude:
Throughout the drive, express gratitude to your supporters. Regular updates, thank-you messages, and recognition of their contributions will show appreciation and encourage ongoing support.
10. Deliver Donations:
At the end of the drive, coordinate the delivery of donations to our organization by email at info@esishouse.org or drop off at 36 Nakota Ct Middle River, MD 21220. If possible, provide a summary of the collected items and share the positive impact it will have on the Teen Moms' Christmas Party.
Thank you for your commitment to making this holiday season special for teen moms and their children. Your efforts are truly appreciated.
If you have any questions or need further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@esishouse.org.
Register A Drive
Organizing a collection drive is a fun and flexible way to help make our teen moms' and babies Christmas party a success. Collect items with your friends and family or in your community, workplace, or school. Get creative!
We encourage drives for these high-need items:
- Diapers
- Wipes
- Baby toiletries
- Household Essentials
- Sephora, Ulta, Marshalls, & TJ Maxx Gift Cards
- Items on our Amazon Wishlist
- Monetary donations