Ivy House fundraiser draws a crowd
Providing a safe, caring place for kids to stay
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NEW ULM -- Several hundred people heard about the successes and needs of Ivy House at a spring fundraiser at the Best Western Plus Thursday.
Ivy House offers free confidential care for children up to age 12 for up to 72 hours at a time. Parents may participate in a family advocate program. A crisis nursery is available that distributes donated clothing, diapers and other essential items.
"When we surround children with protective factors, it helps them flourish, which is exactly what the Ivy House does for the children it cares for," said Ivy House Executive Director Trisha Homan.
"The first way to build resiliency is to encourage individual capabilities by helping children understand they are important and valuable can really help them generate a positive view of themselves, no matter what adversities they go through," Homan said.
She said the Ivy House gives children opportunities to build social skills that can have a positive impact for years to come.
"The second protective factor that is so evident at Ivy House is nurturing caring relationships with caring people that are vital to build resiliency and recovery. Ivy House staff welcome children, recognize each child's individual strengths," said Homan.
She said the family advocate program creates a nurturing environment for families.
"To improve the health and safety of our community, we have to continue empower our community to support individual capabilities and nurture belonging. When we support programs like Ivy House, only amazing things can happen from there," Homan said.
"Through your support, we can continue to support as many community members as possible. We do life-changing, impactful work in our communities. We are so grateful to everyone who have donated to us and prayed for us."
Videos of people assisted by Ivy House were shown. Several women thanked supporters of Ivy House.
Ivy House founder Amber Collins said the organization's mission statement is "sharing God's love with families by providing a thankful, caring place for kids to stay."
"What we really wanted to share with you tonight is how profound our mission statement really is. There is so much more to the work we do at Ivy House than just sharing God's love and providing a place to stay," she said.
"Imagine a family that has no one else to turn to for help, that feels lost, feels desperate or just doesn't know what to do? They call the Ivy House and they're met with peace, a grateful heart and way-makers with a light through darkness. A free place to stay with no barriers," said Collins.
"The work is profound. Supports have the chance to be part of that profound work," she added.
Collins mentioned the "precious little hands" displayed on a wall next to a podium she spoke from.
"I'm so filled with joy how a group of people can make impactful change by coming together. Think about it. Each one of those hands is a child who's life you as a donor, impacted. That child may not have ever known about Jesus. They may be introduced to Jesus for the first time at Ivy House," she added.
Collins encouraged people to donate to Ivy House monthly to help it plan for the future which includes hopes for adding on the Ivy House so it can continue to serve families and children.
In 2023, Ivy House provided 50 families with services and support, 1,372 meals were made by its childcare workers for children, children were in its care 856 days, 91 children were given a safe place to stay, 403 intakes were completed for parents to place children and 351 calls were received by family advocates from caregivers asking for help.
in 2023, Ivy House received $101,106 in donations, $55,954 in fundraising, $159,000 in grants and $8,015 donations in-kind. Program expenses were $177,324.
For more information, visit https://ivyhousemn.org/about-us/