Monday, September 27th. A first look at the forecast that morning was not promising. The entire State was blanketed by a dark green band of rain, with no break in sight. And yet, around 11:00, registration time for the Third Annual Genesis Fall Golf Tournament, the sun began to shine over the Bridgeport Country Club.

Having a successful event depends on a great deal more than fair weather. Taking a leadership role were MCM Business Systems as the Event Sponsor and Midwest Energy and Jaclyn Elsey Rominger, DDS, as Lunch Sponsors. Our thanks go to them, as well as the seventeen Corporate Sponsors and twenty-eight Tee Sponsors that made our day! (For a complete list of our sponsors, take a look below. Highlights of the day are posted on our Facebook page.)

The Emergency Shelter Providers Network Annual Conference was held September 15-17 in Parkersburg, WV. The focus for this year's conference was "Finding Opportunities: Advocacy for Children in Out-of-Home Care". Topics ranged from advocating for children in the juvenile justice system to ensuring an equal education for children in shelter care. Our own Tiffany Sharp, Case Manager, and Derika Bowyer, Case Aide, presented case studies to the group. The sharing of stories and anecdotes was a popular segment of this year's conference and highlighted the challenges and joys common to our work.

For everyone that was part of Genesis Summer Camp this year, the magic remains. Camp is more than squirt guns and slip n'slide. It's an opportunity for the children at Genesis to "just be kids", if only for a few days. Because we are dedicated to preserving the privacy of the children that need us, we can't share their smiles but can allow a glimpse of what is nothing less than our best effort to restore hope. And so, for all those kids that spent that special time with us, this is "My Wish" . . . . . . .

Reminder: The monthly Genesis staff meeting will be held at 8:30 A.M. on August 19th in the Genesis visitation room. Please bring your employee handbooks.

Many thanks to Sam's Club for approving a grant for school supplies just in time to prepare our residents for their return to the classroom. Over 150 students were enrolled in the Harrison County School System last year from the Genesis Youth Center and the Alta Vista Children's Shelter, making school supplies always in high demand.

Here, Bridgett Syrews, Sam's Club Member Champion, and Cari Stutler, Marketing Team Lead, present the check to Shannon Bragg, Genesis Human Resources Director.

Calling all golfers . . . . . .

The Third Annual Genesis Youth Crisis Center Fall Golf Tournament is scheduled for Monday, September 27th, 2010, at the Bridgeport Country Club. Special thanks to our event sponsor, MCM Business Systems, and our lunch sponsors, Jaclyn Elsey Rominger, DDS, and Midwest Energy, Inc.

The fall golf outing has become an important part of Genesis efforts to provide wider opportunities for the at-risk children in our care. Without our help, and yours, these kids often "fall through the cracks".

Click this link to download a brochure and join the growing list of people and companies supporting the Genesis mission, to provide a safe haven for children that fosters hope.

http://www.genesisyouthcenter.com/Golf_Tournament_%20Brochure_2010.pdf

Event Sponsor

MCM Business Systems, Roger Lehosit

Lunch Sponsors

Jaclyn Elsey Rominger, DDS

Midwest Energy, Inc.

Corporate Sponsors

Dominion

Huffman Corporation

J & J Drywall

KCI Aviation

Larry Myers Subaru Hyundai

Mylan

Omni Associates - Architects, Inc.

Poland Concrete

Thrasher Engineering

Time Warner Cable, Media Sales

U.S. Foodservice

Waste Management of West Virginia

Weatherford

Wells Fargo

Wesbanco

West Union Bank

Individual Sponsors

Mary Lou & Jerald Jones

Eric Spatafore

Tee Sponsors

BCBank

Batman's Trophies & Awards

Bridgeport Conference Center

Burnside Funeral Home

The Family of Gary Gould

Graham Simon Plumbing Co., LLC

Lee & Martha Gustafson

Interiors by Design, LLC

Cynthia M. Iquinto, FSC Securities Corporation

David A. Lattanzi, DDS

Medbrook

Delegate Tim Miley

Murray, Murray & Groves

Pediatric Associates

Photos by Design

Prescription Lawn & Pest Control

Mr. Michael J. Romano, Attorney at Law

Matt & Pam Rudder

Service Plus, Inc.

Spa Policano

Specialty Groups, Inc.

Steptoe & Johnson, Inc.

Stout Company, Inc.

Summit Electrical Construction

This End Up Furniture Company, Inc.

Dan Thompson Wrecker Service

Wild & Wonderful, LLC

"POSITIVITY IS CONTAGIOUS" was the theme for the 2010 Genesis Staff Retreat. The importance of maintaining a positive attitude in the workplace, most especially with the children we serve, was emphasized. In addition to break-out sessions dedicated to brainstorming activities for the upcoming summer camp, there were team building exercises that included a little friendly competition.

Everyone left the retreat refreshed and eager to "PASS ON A POSITIVE ATTITUDE". Next month's summer camp for the kids is shaping up to be the best one ever.

Introducing . . . . "Safe Haven Drive"

Choosing a new street name can be a little tricky. We found out from the Harrison/Taylor Addressing and Mapping Coordinator that any new road name must be unique to all Harrison County. Since there is already a Genesis Boulevard in the area, the search was on for another name. The number is based on a frontage scale and is assigned according to the distance from the main road.

We wanted a name that described the essence of our programs. One that lets children know they are entering a secure and welcoming place and we turned to our mission statement: Genesis Youth Crisis Center, Inc., providing a safe haven for children that fosters hope.

And so, 192 Safe Haven Drive, here we come. Hopefully, this summer will see us providing services in our new facility. Here, our hard-working Executive Director shows his enthusiasm for the move.

Many thanks to DoSomething.org and Aeropastale

February 18, 2010 - The response to this year's Teens for Jeans drive has been overwhelming. Organized by DoSomething.org in partnership with Aeropastale, the drive is an initiative to collect clothing for homeless teens. After outfitting the residents of Genesis and Alta Vista with jeans, there were still plenty to share with area agencies.

DoSomething.org is an online activist site that encourages young people to create their own vision for making a difference in their communities and provides them with resources and support. Please visit their site for information on upcoming initiatives. DoSomething.org - using the power of online to get teens to do good stuff offline.

Creating a safe haven that fosters hope - one room at a time. . . .

"There's a place where I can go and tell my secrets to,
In my room, in my room.

In this world I lock out all my worries and my fears,

In my room, in my room.

Do my dreaming and my scheming, lie awake and pray,

Do my crying and my sighing, laugh at yesterday.

Now it's dark and I'm alone, but I won't be afraid,

In my room, in my room."

The first few chords of the Beach Boys' favorite, "In My Room" return many of us to the days when our rooms, securely tucked into the home of our parents, were the center of the universe. The lyrics speak to having a place of safety, a refuge.

Unfortunately, many of the children arriving at Genesis Youth Crisis Center, Inc., have never experienced the sense of security that comes from having a safe room of their own. As construction on our new facility continues at a rapid pace, we have begun to turn our attention to those items necessary to turn a simple room into a sanctuary for a child in need.

We hope you have many wonderful memories of the safe places of your childhood and that you will help us create a place, one room at a time, where our children will finally know a safe haven that fosters hope.

More information on the Room by Room Campaign can be found on our website under "New Campus". Click on "Capital Campaign" and then "Room by Room. To make a donation through PayPal, click on "About Us" on our website and then "Donations". Checks can be mailed to Genesis Youth Center at P. O. Box 546, Clarksburg, WV 26302.

Snow, shmo, it's never too early to plan!

February 3rd, 2010 - A little snow didn't stop Genesis Board Member and Landscape Architect, Beth Hestick, from an early planning session with Matt. From paths across the field to the placement of plants and seating areas, Beth's incredible vision and enthusiasm will turn our construction site into a welcoming home in no time. Bring on Spring - we are ready to get started!