11/09/2021
We started Teens for Siena House in the fall of 2020, determined to help the mothers at this women's shelter and provide them with a little bit of sunshine during all of the holidays. Those of you that supported our cause should have received a thank you and seen first hand in our photographs the generous gifts we delivered to the women and children during the holiday season. We also delivered gifts for Valentine's Day, Easter, and Mother's Day. Sister Mary reported back that the women were thankful and thrilled, evident by their twinkling eyes and smiles.
Siena House is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization providing transitional housing for pregnant women and women with children under the age of three. The primary goal of Siena House is to support new mothers as they work to achieve self-sufficiency, find permanent housing, and create a safe environment to raise their families during the transition.
During the past ten years we have watched Friends of Siena House fundraise and support this women's shelter through various efforts within the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Community, including the Giving Tree during the Christmas season and the annual "Ladies Night Out" event in May, which was canceled in 2019 and 2020, due to the pandemic.
When Covid19 broke out the mothers at Siena House were vulnerable and in need of help. Many lost their jobs, hindering their ability to find affordable housing and maintain financial independence. We found it rewarding to provide some help to Siena House and will continue this mission throughout the upcoming holiday season and into 2022. Our goals have expanded to an onsite project and we have recruited several more teens to help us with our project. With the help of the generous donations from friends and family we plan on doing an actual hands on service project and redoing the playroom at Siena House. On that note we are happy to welcome the following teens:
Mathew Hall, a Tenafly High School junior
Aiden McGinty, a TenaflyHigh School junior
Sophia Emmi, an eighth grader at The Academy of Holy Angels
Eliana Melone, an eighth grader at the Academy of Holy Angels
Peter Emmi, a seventh grader at Tenafly Middle School
We would like for you to consider making a $25/$50 donation, in the form of a gift card to Kohl's (readily available at most grocery and drug stores). Our intention is to use the Kohl's gift cards to purchase all of the gifts, and essentials, for the woman and their children, not only during the holiday season, but for Valentine's day, Easter, and Mother's day in May. We will shop, wrap, and deliver all of the gifts to the shelter during the second weekend in December. Then sometime in the spring we will spend a weekend at Siena House painting and giving the playroom a complete makeover. Sister Mary was helpful in guiding us to choose an area within the shelter that would benefit the new moms and their children. If you would like to contribute please a message in the comments below, and we will private message you with the information.
We thank you, in advance, for your kindness and support.
Be well and stay safe,
Anna Taufield and Dahlia Cousineau
