The latest news!!!
Well I am proud to announce that the Unseen Child Foundation is partnering up with Shannon's Hope Maternity home for homeless moms! I was so sad to hear that it was about to close due to funding. The founder came to me and asked if I could help....ARE YOU KIDDING ME!?! Of course we will help!! We can't have one of the most valuable homes in Colorado close due to funding! Shannon's Hope has been going strong for 30 years and to have it shut down now is a tragedy!!!
It was two weeks ago that Leslie Pottebam (Founder of Shannon's Hope) approached me. Since that day I have not stopped telling the world about how important it is that we as a society keep this home open. The young women in the shelter have now become my family! The Unseen Child Foundation is determined to make these moms seen!
Here is the Mission Statement for the Child Foundation: To stop the cycle of abuse through raising awareness of all forms of child abuse; through community involvement such as education, mentoring, life skills training and advocates for youth we will stop the cycle of abuse and make the world a safe place for children of many generations to come. Which also includes: financially supporting safe houses, mentoring programs and other services that would otherwise close due to funding.
Shannon's Hope Maternity Home's Mission Statement: Shannon's Hope offers a safe, loving environment for pregnant women and their children. An opportunity for success through each individualized program. Proper nutrition through a balanced diet and large food pantry. Mentoring through hands-on life-skills training. Counseling to heal from past abuse and pain Most importantly a place these moms can call home!
As Leslie and I talked we went over the statistics of abuse! I talked about how my entire goal was to stop the cycle of abuse and she just grabbed me and cried! It must have been a very interesting sight...too old women holding each other crying in a very loud restaurant! I YI YI!!!
Did you know?
*1 in 4 women are victims of domestic violence
*20% of domestic violence victims are pregnant
*Pregnant women are at higher risk of becoming victims of domestic violence
*In Colorado, every day there are 504 homeless women with at least one child
*85% of homeless women will get pregnant within the first 3 months of homelessness
*22% of pregnant homeless women have substance abuse problems
*37% of teenage mothers will have another child within 24 months of giving birth
What can we do to stop the cycle?......
You can help the Unseen Children by donating goods:
*diapers - we can use every size
*food - we teach each resident how to eat healthy and balanced
*Clothing - some residents enter the home with just the clothes that they are wearing
*toiletries - we can use everything from shampoo to toilet paper
*Baby supplies - each newborn needs everything from diapers, tiny t'shirts, baby clothes, winter baby blankets...the list continues! You can help us by having a baby shower for the Unseen Children from Shannon's Hope!
Most importantly this home will be closed due to the funding if we don't raise money quickly! This home has 10 bedrooms and each room has a bathroom. That's 12 mothers people!!! The Unseen Child Foundation has personally taken on this project to make a difference in the life of these children. We received one new mom yesterday and tomorrow we will be interviewing another young mom!
I have been on the phone talking to my friends from LA, NYC, Nashville and Colorado! I will not stop until this house is funded!
We appreciate any contribution, big or small. We have setup online payments, one-time or monthly, on the website www.shannonshope.org. There will soon be another page on www.unseenchild.com to make a donation.
You can make your checks payable to "Shannon's Hope" Or "Unseen Child Foundation" All donations go to PO Box 1439 Wheat Ridge CO 80304
To all my celebrity buddies you can make a donation by sending auction items! We have already collected over 25 items and the boxes are coming in! Please help me help these children!?!
Much love to all!!!
Diana Joy...
Unseen Child Foundation Team
Shannon's Hope Home Team
And all the many young moms and children waiting for your help :)
XOXOXOXO
