Child Protection United States Project #37799

Be the Foundation of a Family for Homeless Youth

by The HALO Foundation

Be the Foundation of a Family for Homeless Youth

Project Report | Mar 4, 2020
HALO Celebrates International Women's Day

By Nicole Gerken | COO

Happy International Women's Day!

Sunday, March 8th: This is a day to honor and celebrate all of the inspiring women in our world. It is a day to acknowledge the cultural, social, economic, and political achievements of women all over the globe. This day encourages the equality and celebration of women everywhere, it is a day to reflect on how amazing women truly are. When females get together and lift each other up, there is nothing that can stand in their way.

"Behind every successful woman is a tribe of other successful women who have her back."

Here at HALO, we are a tribe full of successful women. We all have each other's backs. This day is incredibly meaningful for us, as it gives us the opportunity to honor the women who work each day for our youth, and the women in our programs who have overcome challenges and defied the odds. On this International Women's Day, we want to share some of these empowering stories.

CEECEE

Ceecee has been a part of HALO for seven years. She began HALO programs when she was 11 years old while she was attending a childcare organization for children facing poverty. Since then, she has blossomed into such a beautiful young woman. Through her regular participation in HALO Center programming and events, she obtained her first job and worked to save her money. She is now finishing up her senior year of high school and beginning to apply for college. Through her dedication to bettering herself, she has truly defied the odds. We can't wait to see the places that she goes and the amazing things that she accomplishes.

CAILYN

HALO met Cailyn and her baby girl in 2014. She graduated from the HALO home in 2016. After she graduated, she moved in to her own apartment with her daughter. Today, Cailyn is in college with stable employment and high hopes for her future. Her daughter is now six years old. Through her grit and strength, Cailyn is raising her daughter to be a strong woman, and setting a wonderful example of what it means to be one. We are so proud of her and woman she has become.

ESMERALDA

Esmeralda came to the HALO Lilly of the Valley Home in Mexico at just 2 years old. Today, she has graduated from Nursing School and enjoys taking care of others. She has grown in to an incredible woman who makes a difference in the lives of others daily. She has truly defeated the odds.

CRYSTAL

Crystal came to the Ashirvad HALO Home when she was just three years old. She found herself at the home after her father abandoned her and her siblings and her mother was no longer able to feed and care for her. Today, she has overcome all obstacles and is studying at a junior college in Tuni, India. She is an incredibly strong woman who is full of passion. Her grit inspires us. We are so proud of the woman that she is becoming.

ALICE

Alice came to HALO in 2008. She overcame many challenges to graduate from high school and receive a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting. She now works for HALO Uganda to give back to kids who are where she once was. We are inspired by her devotion. Alice is truly an incredible woman, we were lucky to watch her grow up and lucky to have her on our team today.

To all of these amazing women and to all of you, happy International Women's Day. As seen in these stories, behind every successful woman is a tribe of successful women who have her back. When females get together and lift each other up, there is nothing that we cannot do. HALO women are changing the world!

Thank you for providing the foundation of a family to allow our youth to succeed.

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Dec 6, 2019
Meet HALO Alum Caylin

By Nicole Gerken | COO

HALO Founder Rebecca Welsh with HALO Alum Caylin

Recently, we did a special interview with HALO Alum Caylin who graduated from the HALO Home. This interview was in conjunction with Moroccanoil and had to share her story. It's the reason we do what we do every day, and why it's so important to invest in our kids.

Q&A

Tell us about yourself. Where do you live?

My name is Caylin, and I am from Jefferson City, Missouri. I had a child at the age of 15, and even though I was young it was the best thing that had ever happened to me. I graduated with my high school diploma at age 16, and I am now in my second year of college. Additionally, I am engaged to a man who supports me as a independent woman and drives me to reach my goals.

What does an average day for you look like?

An average day for me starts with getting my six-year-old ready for kindergarten. I currently work at Target part-time, then I spend my evening hanging out with my fiancé and getting school work done. Even though I have a busy life, I feel I am slowly setting up an amazing foundation for our future.

How did you find out about the HALO Foundation? How has it changed your life?

I found out about the HALO Foundation through the school I was attending. Since I was a single mother, they knew the HALO Foundation was right for me and suggested it through a program called teens as parents. HALO has changed my life in so many different ways. They gave me the support I needed and taught me how to be a responsible adult. HALO also taught me what family was and what it meant.

What would you tell someone facing the same challenges?

If someone was facing the same challenges as I was I would tell them to never give up on themselves. Even though they may think that having a child at a young age affects their opportunities and privileges, it doesn’t have to. We may have made mistakes in our past, but that doesn’t mean we can’t follow our dreams and become whatever we want to be.

What challenge are you most proud of overcoming?

I am most proud of the amazing child I created and defeating the odds against young single mothers. I have fought so hard to give my daughter the best life I could possibly give her, and I have reached that goal. It makes me grateful I have had that opportunity through the HALO Foundation.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

In the near future, I see myself as a college graduate with a proud family beside me. I see myself as a leader and someone other single parents can look up to and admire. I want to be a role model to other people who think they can’t overcome mistakes they made as a child. They should understand that it’s not their fault and that with the right support and motivation they can do whatever they want to do.

Thank you for supporting kids like Caylin. You make success stories like these possible.

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Sep 9, 2019
Congratulations, Madison!

By Carly Manijak | Kansas City Program Director

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