February 2012 Update

Heads-Up Guidance Services - Quarterly Report

February, 2012

Off to a Great Start in the New Year…

How HUGS is Serving Our Community

HUGS is actively providing Individual and Group Counseling services out of our Savannah Baptist Center office. We have three counselors working on site to provide essential therapeutic services to the community. We welcome and thank Dr. Steve Goldberg, the most recent addition to our clinical volunteer staff. We are rapidly increasing our client base, and look to recruit additional licensed volunteers!

HUGS provides a Therapeutic Parenting Course (TPC) which focuses on the needs of the struggling parent. The HUGS’ (TPC) is a comprehensive parenting program with both weekly group and individual sessions provided to participating parent(s)/guardian(s). We have two facilitators (Gwen Jenkins & Nathlynn Reynolds) providing the HUGS (TPC) on-site (704 Wheaton Street) Mondays from 6:00-7:30PM – Childcare is available.

Additionally, the HUGS Therapeutic Parenting Course will be provided to Inner-faith Hospitality Network program participants on Mondays from 6:00 – 7:30PM beginning March 5th, 2012. We have another accomplished and experienced facilitator (Dottie Black) providing the TPC at IHN. We have had requests for our Parenting Course at other facilities, and are actively recruiting additional volunteer facilitators!

HUGS continues to provide a comprehensive “Substance Abuse Prevention & Education Program” (SEP) to Savannah State University students. This program is provided on campus by HUGS staff. Due to increased student participation and repeat attendance, this program is now offered on Monday and Wednesday in the Student Health Building from 7:30 to 8:45PM. We recently recruited a wonderful new volunteer
(Mark Case), who is assisting with the Monday night group.

HUGS continues to provide individual and group therapy to the Old Savannah City Mission. The HUGS Process group is provided to OSCM students on Tuesday evenings from 7:00 – 8:30PM, and individual sessions are provided on-location every Wednesday by a licensed HUGS professional.

HUGS provides Substance Abuse Evaluations and Probation Evaluations services weekly at our SBC location (704 Wheaton Street). We also schedule individual (TPC) parent sessions for Fridays.

HUGS now offers a Craft Group to our homeless and disadvantaged. This craft group is offered every Tuesday from 12 noon – 2:00PM, and is facilitated by Shanna Sweet. This is a great opportunity for locals to learn crafts, create, and support others in need.  They will participate in a quarterly craft sale and the proceeds will go to support HUGS services. These funds will help assist HUGS as we provide professional counseling to those without financial means of payment.

Please contact Andrea Epting today & help give HUGS to locals in need 912.507.8576

FUN & FUND–RAISERS:

PLEASE mark you calendars for some exciting upcoming events.

St. Patrick’s Day March 17th:
Please join HUGS in Lafayette Square on Abercorn Street. We will have a HUGS information tent set up for the public.

April 1st: Zoe’s Café event to support HUGS Day Center @ 705 Wheaton Street,next to the Family Dollar. (More Info. to come)

May 19th: HUGS Festival @ 705 Wheaton Street. This event will feature local venders, food, entertainment, and activities for the whole family. The HUGS festival will kick-off our “HUGS Day Center” capital campaign, and the proceeds will go to support this important community project. (More Info. To come)

Thanks to our AMAZING Fund-Raising committee & to ALL who attended the “Ladies Game Day Luncheon” last month! What a great time!!!

A BIG HUGS’ “THANK YOU” to Saint Vincent’s Academy (SVA) for supporting HUGS! SVA will have a School wide “Jeans Day” on Valentines Day (February 14th) and the proceeds will go to support HUGS services.

We are continuing to grow our fundraising committee and have recently elected sub-committee chairs. If you are interested in serving on one of our Fundraising Sub-Committees, please contact Ellen Bradley at 912.507.3662.

HUGS’ NEWS:

Ivan Feign (a SCAD Photo-journalism student) is actively working on a photo documentary for HUGS. He is looking to give viewers a glimpse into the lives of those impacted by HUGS’ services. This will be a valuable tool for us to use to inform the public of our programs and promote our cause. You can view some of his past work at www.feignphoto.com.

The HUGS Advisory board held its first meeting in 2012 this past Monday. We hadseveral returning members and welcomed eight new members.

HUGS is building its Executive Board of Directors. Please contact Ellen Bradley @ 912.507.3662 to nominate additional Executive Members. Our next meeting will be held in the spring of 2012.

NOTE:
PLEASE follow HUGS on Twitter for news and events & PLEASE like HUGS on
Facebook today!!!!

Our next Advisory Board meeting will be on April 19th, and guests are always welcome