LAMP Ministries, Americans Helping Americans® partner in Gainesville, Georgia, provides services to those most in need in Hall County with basic needs, utility assistance, youth development as well as temporary shelter for homeless families.
Since July, thanks to the supporters of Americans Helping Americans®, LAMP was able to provide services and/or assistance to 438 children, 358 adults, 46 senior citizens and 24 U.S. military service veterans, according to executive director Mary Mauricio.
“The grant funding from Americans Helping Americans® is essential to so many children and tens in need of nutritious food and warm clothing,” says Mary. Grant funding from Americans Helping Americans® also pays for transportation for children and the elderly to get to doctors’ appointments, she added.
“The benefit of the grant funding from Americans Helping Americans® allows us to help those in greatest need,” said Mary. “The teenagers we serve are excelling in school because of the programs we offer and for them staying in school now is a dream come true.”
For Mary, their greatest accomplishments during the past six months have been keeping four teenagers from going to a Regional Youth Detention Center for petty crimes and instead helping them find and stay on a better path.
Because of its volunteer afterschool one-on-one tutoring and mentoring program “we have witnessed several students’ grades improve from failing to all A’s and B’s.
And she will never forget the help she was able to provide a mother of four escaping domestic violence.
“She was referred to us because she had moved to Gainesville with her four children to escape an abusive marriage,” Mary reported. “We were able to help her with counseling and resources to obtain stable housing and childcare enabling her return to work.
“Now she has a job and an apartment, and she and her children are thriving.”
Mary wants the supporters of Americans Helping Americans® to know that without their support none of this would have been possible.
“I want to impress on you how grateful we are for the help we have received from Americans Helping Americans®. You have made such a difference in the lives of families and individuals in our community.
“Thanks to your support we are able to help them.”
Quote from Mary to supporters of Americans Helping Americans:
“We want them to know how very grateful we are for their support and compassion for those in need, and that many lives have been blessed and they are now paying it forward in our community. We would not be able to do all we do without the generous supporters of Americans Helping Americans®. Thank you and God bless all of you.”
Quotes from program beneficiaries:
“Thank you for your help. We are no longer homeless and we are all so grateful and so very happy in our new home.” – Single mother of four children
“Thank you for helping me to keep all five of my grandchildren together – and out of foster care.” – Grandmother of five children
“Thank you all for your help. Your help kept my son from going to the youth detention center and instead he is doing better in school and on the right path forward. – Mother of youth program participant
