Dine to Donate COUPON is here!

Well it's here! Our Dine to Donate coupon is here! Please click the image above or the Dine to Donate Page Tab above to print your Dine to Donate coupon. Be sure to remember coupons must be in-hand for the YDC to get credit, and they will only be accepted at the 12th & Penninsula location. Event hours are between 11 a.m. and 11 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 7th.

Thank you for your continued support and generosity. God Bless You at Thanksgiving and always.

"Dine to Donate" Program Benefits the YDC

All are invited to join us for a "Dine to Donate" fundraiser at the 12th St. Applebee's in Erie, PA, on Tuesday, Dec. 7th. A portion of the proceeds from your dinner bill that evening will benefit the YDC's annual Christmas Party. A coupon will be posted here soon. Each year we distribute toys to over 300 needy children and provide food baskets for the most needy families among them.

If you cannot join us at the fundraiser, please consider making a donation to our cause. Children and families are struggling and this event really gives them hope in troubled times. Please be generous, and know that God loves you, and so do I.

Thanks for Your Support!

A big thank you goes out to all those who came out to see us at Celebrate Erie. We enjoyed seeing so many nice people and we thank you for your support of the YDC kids. Many of you purchased ceramic tiles and T-shirts to help support our cause. Thank you again for your love and support!

Come Visit Us at Celebrate Erie!

Be sure to stop by the Youth Development Center tent at Celebrate Erie next weekend -- August 20-22, 2010. You can find us on South Park Row near the Federal Courthouse building. Come say hello and support our cause by purchasing a Clara's Way T-shirt or a LIMITED Edition Clara's Way Tile! If you'd like to paint your own Clara's Way Tile, gift certificates to Claytopia will also be available for $12. Proceeds benefit the Youth Development Center.

We will soon be starting up the after school program for the children next month. This program gives the children homework help and computer instruction throught the week (along with food and fellowship with others.) We are still in need clerical help at the center, so if you can help, please contact us. As always, thank you for your continued love and support. See you at Celebrate Erie!

One Year Later: Thank You, Thank You, Thank You Erie and EMHE!

Today is the one year anniversary of the "door knock" that changed my life and the lives of countless children in our neighborhood. Once again, I must thank each and every person who helped with the Extreme Makeover in any way. I give thanks to God in prayer every morning for all those who participated in the Extreme Makeover. Your kindness has changed the lives of the Youth Development Center children (and my life too.) My family and I are eternally grateful for your kindness and generosity. God Bless you all today and always!

I believe with all of my heart that this work is ours to do, and we invite you to join us in our mission. Remember that we always need volunteers and donations of gently used items. Please join us and share your time, talents and treasure with us. E-mail me at Clara@ClarasWay.com if you'd like to help. You can also support the children by purchasing a ceramic tile painted by me and the children. Click here to order!

Once again, I say Thank you, thank you, thank you and God bless you all!

YDC Kids Enjoy Backyard Picnic with WJET TV & Country Fair

What a great way to start the summer! On Wednesday, June 2, the YDC kids and I enjoyed a backyard picnic courtesy of WJET TV 24 and Country Fair. Meteorologist Tom Atkins broadcast the weather live from our basketball court while the children enjoyed a nice picnic ... all part of WJET's Weather In Your Neighborhood segment. If you would like to buy a hand-painted ceramic tile designed by me or the children, (as seen on TV during this weather segment) click here to make your purchase!
P
The children are very excited for summer. The YDC staff are looking forward to a short break in June before we make the transition from from our after-school program to our summer program. As always, we are in need of volunteers and donations of gently used items and monetary donations to help us continue our work with the children. Thanks again for your love, prayers and support during the past year. God bless and keep you in His tender care. Remember to love one another ... and enjoy the summer!

Erie's Ophelia Project Presents S.T.A.R. Program to YDC Kids

Greetings friends! The children have been busy at the center with our after school tutoring program and other activities. They especially love Thursday afternoons because that's when volunteers from the Ophelia Project join us to put on the STAR program. STAR stands for Self esteem, Teamwork, Attitude and Respect.

STAR is an Ophelia Project mentoring program which teaches character building and anti-bullying lessons to children. Fun, arts, crafts and games help the children learn and remember the STAR lessons each week . Guest speakers are also part of the program. On Thursday, May 6, Sonya Arrington, the mother of a young man who was a victim of violent crime, will speak to the children this week. If you would like to volunteer to work with the children as part of the Ophelia Project's STAR Program, you can contact Lora Caldwell,Volunteer Services Manager for The Ophelia Project, at 814.456.5437 - Toll Free at 1.888.256.KIDS or 814.455.2090 - http://www.opheliaproject.org/ or lcaldwell@opheliaproject.org. The Youth Development Center is always in need of donations and volunteers. Thanks to all who have been so generous in the past. We encourage more of you to come forward and join us in the future. God bless you today and always. Remember I love you all very much.