Each year, UMYH prepares roughly 40 tote bags, each full of all the ingredients needed to prepare a standard Thanksgiving dinner (including a gift card for a turkey). These “Thanksgiving Bags” as we like to call them go out to the youth in all of our programs, as well as some of our Aftercare youth (previously enrolled in our programs).
This has become a tradition, a wonderful “extra” around the holiday to help make sure when we send our youth home for the long weekend their families don’t have to worry about being able to provide the special Thanksgiving meal. This year, our Development Officer Laura got the opportunity to ride along to deliver a few of these bags. She recounts her experience here:
On Wednesday, 11/26, things were wrapping up in the UMYH office as everyone prepared to go on Thanksgiving Break. Amidst the hustle and bustle of trying to get last minute things accomplished Jessica Chinn, our Independent Living Director, popped her head into my doorway. “Want to come with me to deliver some Thanksgiving bags? I’ve got just a couple today; shouldn’t take but a half hour or so.”
Our final stop was at the home of a young woman, T, whom I knew from the days she used to live on campus and even spoke to the development team a couple times. T was now married, working the same job she’d established over 3 years ago, & living with her husband and two beautiful babies.
Chinn walked up to the door to hand-deliver this bag. After a couple knocks, the whole crew approached as the door opened from the inside. What I saw brought the biggest smile to my face and filled me with a sense of joy and calm that I’d been searching for today. The two little tots were clamboring for Chinn, all giggles and rosy cheeks; they said “Happy Thanksgiving!” as the puppy ran circles around them both. I watched as Chinn and T briefly exchanged words and embraced one another before each went their separate ways.
T found this life through her hard work, dedication, and time at UMYH. She forged this beautiful existence for herself; we got the privilege of being there to watch her spread her wings and fly.
I spent the whole ride back to campus content, soft images in my mind of youth smiling, sitting down together at tables full of delicious, hot food, surrounded by hundreds of people who love them. This is why UMYH exists.
That ride helped me finish my day with the peace of mind and calm I needed, and it was the perfect way to kick off my own Thanksgiving Break with my family and loved ones.
– Laura Brown
Development Officer, UMYH
