Welcome to the 2015 State of the Village!

At the Homewood Children’s Village, we believe that tomorrow’s innovators, creators, and contributors are getting their start right here in Homewood. As a result, we have designed a service model that will not only impact the lives of children today, but will also contribute to a comprehensive, long-term plan to rebuild the community.

True community transformation requires community development, economic development, and human development. We believe we can make the greatest strides towards achieving our community-wide goals through a strategic focus on Homewood’s children. Tonight, the HCV recognizes our partners and celebrates our commitment to improve the lives of Homewood’s children with integrated and holistic supports for youth. Our approach hones in on education as a lever for upward mobility, success, and community stabilization.

Looking forward, the HCV is working to provide high quality academic enrichment opportunities that support youngsters’ reading readiness and provide our middle and high school students with exposure to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines. At the HCV, we want our students to succeed academically, but we also know that our children are much more than just numbers on a report card. We strive to build relationships with youth and families that affirm each individual as uniquely created to be a part of the solution.

Tonight is a celebration of this year’s accomplishments. We are proud of the outcomes that have resulted from collaborations with our partners and families. We have seen a dramatic reduction in academic suspensions, reduced truancy, fewer days missed of school, and a significant improvement in grades among students supported by the HCV’s Full Service Community School and Promise Fulfillment Network. Through our nutrition program, we have supported hundreds Homewood children with a selection of healthy foods each weekend. And our well-attended celebrations, dinners, and community outreach events have helped to spread hope among Homewood’s students and families.

Despite these significant impacts, there is a long way to go before students in Homewood’s schools achieve at a level unparalleled across the city and the state. With your support, we press forward with like-minded partners to provide innovative and evidence-based supports and services facilitated by strategic collaborations, knowing that Homewood’s future world-changers are depending on us. They are depending on all of us, because, “We Are All the Village.”

With thanks,

Dr. Shannah Tharp-Gilliam