Heart Haven OutReach (H2O) Honored for Work with At-Risk Teens

Heart Haven OutReach (H2O) was recognized a number of times in 2019 for its successes with the programs they offer to address the needs of nearly 3,350 local teens. This not-for-profit organization could not serve the community’s youth in this way without the dedication of its many volunteers and the strong support of its community partners.

For example, during 2019, over 78 adult program volunteers put in over 1,430 hours in support and mentoring roles working with the teens engaged in H2O’s many programs. These are designed to help them with self-esteem issues and problems in school, as well as life skills and social competencies that help them understand that they are lovable, capable, and worthwhile.

Also in 2019, H2O and its community partners engaged in numerous events and activities to raise both funds and awareness for H2O, such as:

• The 9th Annual H2O 3on3 Basketball Tournament at Brooks Middle School, where six high school teams and eight middle school teams competed after a month of practices focusing on basketball skills and character development.
• The newly branded Cheesy Pretzel 5k (formerly known as the Heart Haven Hustle) where H2O was joined by five community partners, including The Bolingbrook Promenade, Bolingbrook Park District, Bolingbrook Area Chamber of Commerce, PT Solutions Bar Louie, along with 370 supporters to raise money for the support and mentoring programs for H2O’s teens.
• The 16th Annual Golf Outing and “Christmas In July” Gala Dinner which raised over $140,000 through many sponsorships from local businesses and donors.
• The Bolingbrook Community Chorus Spring Concert at which H2O had the opportunity to raise money through a goodwill donation for the summer camp programs for students that could not afford it.
• Comcast Cares Day, during which Comcast employees came out to Heart Haven OutReach to volunteer. Comcast Cares Day is one of the largest corporate commitments to volunteerism and service in America, part of its long-standing company tradition that has engaged more than one million volunteers to help strengthen communities around the world where their customers and employees live and work.
• Thanksgiving dinner hosted by H2O for the students and their families where H2O staff and volunteers discussed Caring by Serving together as a family.

The strength and support of these community partners have enabled H2O to start off the 2019-2020 school year with two additional support programs for the middle school aged students. With this addition, the number of its support groups have doubled in attendance and H2O’s impact with students in this age group has deepened with the ability to build stronger relationships.

Community businesses and organizations partnering together to work with H2O students in 2019 include:

DuPage Township’s Food Pantry, Bolingbrook Park District, Studio 300 in Fountaindale Library, Museum of Science and Industry, DuSable Museum of African American History, Rasmussen College, Great Lakes Credit Union, Feed My Starving Children, Ready Set Ride, Bowlero, Lewis University, Comcast, Cavalcade of Planes, Chick-Fil-A, Taste of Pakistan, Bolingbrook Area Chamber of Commerce, The Promenade Bolingbrook, “El Grito” Mexican Independence Day Festival, Village of Bolingbrook, Romeoville Area Chamber of Commerce, Doc Motor Works, Meadowbrook Manor, Heritage Woods, Revere Court of Bolingbrook, Operation Christmas: Bolingbrook, PT Solutions Physical Therapy, Bolingbrook Golf Club, Valley View School District

For more information about Heart Haven Outreach, visit www.hearthavenoutreach.org. If you or your business would like to get involved as a volunteer or to host a program for H2O teens, please reach out to Ryan Lawrence, executive director for more information.

Article Posted By Michael Carpanzano, Volunteer Bolingbrook Patch Mayor