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Bethany House Connection: June 2024

 A MESSAGE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 
“The key to success is to focus on your goals, not your obstacles.”  ~Rifat Mahmud 

And that is just what Bethany House guest, Allie* did! Allie arrived at Bethany House about a year and a half ago, unaware of what her next steps would be.  As a first time single mom, she remembers feeling scared and lost. With the encouragement and help from her Bethany House case manager, Allie was empowered to go back to school.  She enrolled at the Long Beach Adult Learning Center to complete her high school diploma.  I am proud to share that this June, Allie graduated with her high school diploma! 

With her case manager and residential director by her side, Allie made a heart warming speech at her graduation about how Bethany House helped her.   In her speech she talked about all she has accomplished recently.  She shared how Bethany House helped her realize the importance of being mentally and emotionally stable, and how she has sought counseling to help with her emotions. 

While she continues to work on her health, she is now on her way to completing a certification in Cosmetology at Nassau County BOCES, with a scholarship that Bethany House helped her apply for. Allie also worked hard on clearing up her driving record, something various judges in both Nassau and Suffolk County graciously supported her to do. 

Allie credits the Bethany House staff and partnering agencies who believed in her, and motivated her to keep going, even when she wanted to give up.  She adds that she would not have been able to get to this point without the support of Bethany House, and declares that her daughter is the driving force towards her independence.  

I am so proud of Allie, for persevering and demonstrating that goals can be achieved with the right people cheering you on.  I can’t wait to see what comes next for her, and all of our guests, as we continue to cheer them on this summer! 

Katie Swanson, Executive Director
*the guest’s name has been changed to ensure her privacy* 
 
“THERE IS NO WAY TO BE A PERFECT MOM, BUT THERE ARE A MILLION WAYS TO BE A GREAT ONE” ~Jill Churchill 
And our moms are on a path to do just that! Thanks to the Hispanic Counseling Center, our guests completed their eight-week Parenting Wisely Workshop.  This workshop has served as an opportunity for the guests to empower themselves as parents, and be confident when facing certain challenges as mothers.  Bethany House is proud and excited to provide this workshop to both of our women with children emergency shelters, and plans to continue to offer this important workshop to our guests. 

3RD ANNUAL GARDEN TOUR BLOOMED WITH SUCCESS!
 It was a beautiful day on Wednesday, June 12th, when Bethany House held its 3rd Annual Rockville Centre Garden Tour.  Five local gardens were offered for strolling through and admiring- each boasting beautiful blooms, quaint sitting areas, and charming garden features.  An adorable flower balloon arrangement by DSEID Balloons marked the start of each house tour.  Guests were greeted by one of our dozen docents- many of which were dressed in garden outfits provided by NYDJ.  Over 125 guests were delighted to view each garden, while enjoying time with friends and sharing gardening tips.   The morning continued at the Rockville Links Club, where guests were treated to delicious lunch sandwiches, a coffee bar and sweet treats. The tables were adorned with rose petals and featured a gorgeous sampling of wildflowers donated by Art Flower and Gift Shoppe.  The event guests were buzzing with anticipation while opening the Mystery Books they purchased- many left with some great new summer reads!  Also, in an effort to raise additional, much needed funds to support the important programming offered at Bethany House, there was a wall of great raffle prizes.  Also donated was an amazing grand prize offered by Maroney Landscaping for a custom perennial design and planting!  Thank you to the O’Rourke Family, Burke Family, Savarese Family, Maroney Family and Moyer Family for their generosity as garden hosts.  Thank you to all the sponsors and guests who made this anticipated event such a huge success! With all of your help, Bethany House raised over $8,000!
“SOCIAL” SUPPORT Social Threads, a carefully curated online boutique founded by two local moms and operated by an all woman team, chose Bethany House to receive a portion of profits over Mother’s Day weekend.  It is from the support of amazing local organizations, such as this, that allows Bethany House to do so much more than just “keep the lights on” for our guests.  Thank you, Social Threads!

Bethany House’s 21st Annual Fashion Show

Photo Gallery!

BETHANY HOUSE OF NASSAU COUNTY NAMED AS FINALIST IN 12th ANNUAL LONG ISLAND IMAGINE AWARDS

Baldwin, NY – February 13, 2024 – Bethany House of Nassau County was named a Finalist in the Social Impact Award category in the 12th Annual Long Island Imagine Awards.

The Long Island Imagine Awards, now in its 12th year, was founded by Ken Cerini, CPA, Cerini & Associates LLP as a way to showcase the nonprofit sector and all the good work that it does, as well as provide opportunities for deeper collaboration within the sector. The gala event, scheduled for Wednesday, May 1, 2024, 6-10pm at the Crest Hollow Country Club, Woodbury, NY, provides unlimited networking and connection opportunities for the corporate and nonprofit sectors while highlighting the exceptional work of the finalist organizations. The 24 finalists, 4 in each category, receive a professionally produced video that is showcased the night of the event and two free tickets to attend. In addition, each finalist will receive $1,000 courtesy of Diamond Sponsor SterlingRisk Insurance and one in each category will be announced LIVE at the event. For more information visit https://imagineawardsli.com. 

More than 150 nonprofit applications were submitted for consideration in six categories: Arts & Culture, Innovation, Leadership Excellence, Rising Star, Social Impact, and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA). Bethany House is one of four finalists in the Social Impact Award category.

“We are so thankful to be chosen as a finalist for an Imagine Award in the Social Impact category,” said Executive Director, Catherine Swanson. “With government funding and grants, Bethany House provides emergency shelter for women, and women with children, experiencing homelessness. However, we do so much more than “keep the light on” for our guests. We have implemented numerous programs, like Safe Ground for Families, in which we help women gain the tools they need to break out of the cycle of homelessness.”

Finalists were chosen by Long Island business professionals during preliminary judging. Members of the Awards’ Distinguished Judging Panel selected the Imagine Awards winners from among the Finalists during final judging.

“Being named a Finalist in The Long Island Imagine Awards is an important achievement,” said Ken Cerini, Founder of the Long Island Imagine Awards.  “It means that the Organization has been identified as a leader on Long Island, exhibiting impactful and innovative operations.  Congratulations to all of the Finalists on their achievement.”

Details about Long Island Imagine Awards and the list of Finalists in all categories are available at https://imagineawardsli.com/the-awards/

About Bethany House

Bethany House was founded in 1978 in response to a validated need for shelter for women, and women with children experiencing homelessness on Long Island. Throughout its forty-four years, Bethany has provided safe, supportive emergency and housing and support services for homeless single women and women with dependent children. Bethany House exists to strengthen and assist those women and children from Long Island who are deprived of the basic resources required for natural and healthy growth and development. We work to support women, and women with children, through uncertainty to stability. We carry this out through a three-step approach. We begin by providing shelter and meeting the basic needs of guests in a welcoming, safe, and home-like setting. We offer programs which provide a continuum of care that starts with emergency shelter, moves into transitional services and housing, and culminates in permanent housing and greater self-sufficiency and ongoing support.

About The Imagine Awards

The Imagine Awards was created in 2012 on Long Island by Ken Cerini Managing Partner of Cerini & Associates, LLP.  Honoring nonprofit organizations of all types and sizes and the people behind them, the Imagine Awards recognize outstanding performances in the sector.  2024 will represent the 12th Annual Long Island Imagine Awards https://imagineawardsli.com and the 4th Annual event in NYC,  https://NYCimagineawards.com.  

Long Island Imagine Awards Winners to Be Announced on Wednesday,

May 1, 2024  at the Crest Hollow Country Club

Annual Appeal Success: Thank you!

Thank you to so many of you who made generous donations to the Bethany House Annual Appeal, every dollar of which helps support the vital programs we offer to our guests. Because of your generosity, combined with that of other caring people like you, we continue to be able to uplift women, many with children, and guide them from homelessness toward independence and self-sufficiency.

As I mentioned in the annual appeal, government funding enables us to “keep the lights on” at our three emergency shelters. Your generosity gives us the ability to provide our guests with the comprehensive support they need to gain financial stability and secure permanent housing for themselves and their children. With your help, we are working diligently to break the cycle of homelessness. 

Thank you again for your generosity.  If you would like to learn more about the wonderful work we do, please give us a call at 516-868-6866 to set up a meeting or a tour of Bethany House. 

Sincerely.

Katie Swanson, Executive Director