May 2009: NBC Universal shares
Birthday Blessings with the nation!
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FACTS ABOUT HOMELESSNESS, and why we advocate for the homeless children and families of greater Charlotte.
The most recent point in time count (July 2010, A Child's Place) found a record 3,237 identified homeless children enrolled in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.
The National Center on Family Homelessness reports:
- Families make up more than 40% of the country's homeless population.
- 29% of homeless adults in families are working.
- 42% of homeless children are under the age of six.
- Homeless children have three times the rate of emotional and behavioral problems compared to nonhomeless children.
- North Carolina rates 44 (1=best; 50=worst) in Overall Rank for Child Homelessness.
The Family Housing Fund reports:
- 92% of homeless mothers have experienced
severe physical and/or sexual abuse. - 35% of women coming into homeless shelters
are pregnant. - The difficult surroundings [of homeless shelters] often affect the mother's feelings of adequacy and can interfere with critical maternal-child bonding.
The programs of Birthday Blessings provide positive emotional experiences for homeless children by lifting spirits, boosting confidence, broadening horizons, and supporting basic needs.
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Birthday Blessings In the News
08-24-10: Mint Hill Times | Birthday Blessings gets grant from Jimmie Johnson Foundation
08-22-10: The Charlotte Observer | Birthday Blessings aids homeless kids
08-15-10: The Charlotte Observer | Helping Others
08-08-10: The Charlotte Observer | Helping Others
08-07-10: Charlotte Smarty Pants | Smarty Mom: Amy Cervantes
07-29-10: South Charlotte Weekly | Birthday Blessings to benefit from Monkey Joe's, Wolfman Pizza fundraisers
07-19-10: Speedway Children's Charities | Birthday Blessings
06-28-10: Ballantyne Scoop | Boosterthon Fun Run joins the Birthday Blessings party to Serve Homeless Campers
06-11-10: South Charlotte Weekly | Hebrew National hosts Better-than-a-Picnic Picnic to Benefit Birthday Blessings
05-19-10: The Charlotte Observer | MOMS Club hosts birthday benefit
05-10-10: Ballantyne Scoop | Good Eats and Family Fun at Topz Healthier Burger Grill to Benefit Homeless Kids
05-07-10: South Charlotte Weekly | Birthday Blessings Event at Ballantyne's Topz Healthier Burger Grill
04-20-10: Ballantyne Scoop | Annual Birthday Bash Event at Ayrsley Grand Cinemas on April 24
03-28-10: The Charlotte Observer | News of the City - YES and Wolfman Pizza Partner at Monthly Shelter Parties
February 2010: Reader's Digest | Make it Matter: Happy Birthday to Them
01-24-10: The Charlotte Observer | News of the City - Nonprofit Blessed with 8,350 Books
01-21-10: South Charlotte Weekly, Pg. 6 | Nonprofit Collects 8,350 Books for Homeless Kids
January 2010: Woman's World Magazine l Making A Difference
12-27-09: The Charlotte Observer l Expanding Birthday Wishes
12-21-09: The Mint Hill Times l Birthday Blessings Helps Give Families Professional Portraits
Fall/Winter 2009: CPCC Connections l Nursing Grad Continues Service with Birthday Blessings
12-01-09: SceneDaily.com l Speedway Children's Charities Awards Grants
11-22-09: The Charlotte Observer, Neighbors l Make Holidays Festive for Needy
11-22-09: The Independent Tribune l Nonprofit Works With Homeless Children
11-19-09: Ballantyne Scoop | Birthday Blessings Organization Planning 2 Local Events To Help Homeless Children
11-08-09: The Charlotte Observer, Cabarrus Neighbors l Cabarrus Joins in Birthday Blessings[1]Part [2]
Part [2] 08-13-09: The Mint Hill Times l Nonprofit 'Blessed' to Expand
08-12-09: South Charlotte Weekly l Give to Others, Get a Pizza!
May 2009: Today's Charlotte Woman l A Special Gift
04-24-09: The Charlotte Observer l Charity Gives Kids Birthday Blessings
Spring 2009: Little Ones Magazine l An Undisguised Blessing
08-31-08: The Charlotte Observer, Neighbors l Birthday Blessings has Back-to-School Bashes
August 2008: Charlotte Weekly l Birthday Blessings Takes the Cake
Recent Press Releases
05-17-10: College of Business marketing students help create birthday fun for area homeless children
Videos
May 14, 2010 - Larry Sprinkle of WCNC interviewed Birthday Blessings' co-founder, John Cervantes
December 13, 2009 - Candy + Potter of 107.9, The Link and their volunteer army host shelter party at Turning Point of Union County
December 12, 2009 - Help-Portrait photographers' initiative partners with Birthday Blessings
May 21, 2009 – WCNC video aired on NBC affiliates across the country and on msnbc.com
August 8, 2008 - WSOC-TV
May 26, 2008 - The Charlotte Observer
Audio
Media Kit
Basic overview, included below:
•Mission
Mission •History
History •National Expansion
National Expansion•Description of programs
Description of programs •Numbers served
Numbers served •Co-founder information
Co-founder information For media inquiries, please contact:
Communications and Community Affairs Volunteer Executive Director/Co-founder
Volunteer Executive Director/Co-founder Birthday Blessings Birthday Blessings
Birthday Blessings 704-759-6763 704-846-Bday (2329)
704-846-Bday (2329) Also available:
•Photos of co-founders
Photos of co-founders•Most recent Birthday Blessings e-newsletter
Most recent Birthday Blessings e-newsletter Basic Overview
Mission: To celebrate, inspire, and support homeless children, while offering fun and meaningful volunteer opportunities for both adults and youth.
History: Birthday Blessings was founded in 2005 by Amy and John Cervantes, a couple who wanted to share a love of volunteerism with their young children. Because birthdays were so special to the Cervantes family and because they had a heart for serving the needy, they decided that celebrating the lives of homeless children would become their family service project.
What began as one monthly birthday party at the Salvation Army Center of Hope in Charlotte, North Carolina, has grown into a thriving nonprofit that serves thousands of homeless children and families across multiple counties in the greater Charlotte region.
Amy leads the organization as volunteer executive director, and John is the vice-chair of the board of directors. Their volunteer staff of more than twenty helps operate three core programs: Shelter Parties, Student Birthdays, and Blessing Baskets. The organization’s 2,400 square-foot facility (of largely donated space) serves as the nonprofit’s headquarters for office administration, donation storage, and volunteer work space.
In February 2010 Birthday Blessings proudly announced its first major milestone of more than 1,000 birthdays celebrated for local homeless children and their families.
National Expansion: In summer 2009, Birthday Blessings established a national expansion model. Today, there are pilot affiliate chapters organizing in northeast Indiana; Atlanta, Georgia; and southwest Ohio. The Birthday Blessings National Affiliate Network has already received more than 300 affiliate chapter requests for cities and communities all across the country.
The Programs of Birthday Blessings: The three programs operated by Birthday Blessings provide positive emotional experiences for needy children and their families by lifting spirits, promoting self-worth, broadening horizons, and supporting basic needs.
- Shelter Parties - Birthday celebrations are held monthly at shelters and housing/program facilities serving homeless children and their families. All residents are invited to the parties, and those with birthdays in that month are celebrated as the guests of honor.
- Student Birthdays – This anonymous program serves homeless youth living in transient situations such as motels and campgrounds. Homeless elementary students receive birthday snack bags and treats to celebrate at school with classmates. Homeless middle school students receive Party-In-A-Bag kits with supplies, snacks, beverages, and a small cake to share with family members.
- Blessing Baskets – These beautifully wrapped laundry baskets are filled with baby-care essentials, clothing, and gifts to celebrate the arrival of homeless babies, while supplementing their basic needs.
Numbers Served (through May 2010)
Combined:
- 1,152 birthdays celebrated for local homeless children and their families across the greater Charlotte region.
- 718 birthday parties provided
By Program:
- 406 homeless elementary and middle school students served through the Student Birthdays Program
- 312 celebrations provided at local homeless shelters and housing facilities/programs
- 120 Blessing Baskets provided since February 2009 for homeless babies and their parents
Supplies distributed:
- 4,770 birthday gifts
- 5,385 cake slices
- 5,475 goodie bags
- 9,860 birthday snack bags
- 2,125 baby gifts and care items
Birthday Blessings co-founders:
John and Amy Cervantes live in Mint Hill, North Carolina. John is 38, and is Sr. VP, Investments, Triune Capital Advisors. He actively serves in leadership roles at his church, and for the Charlotte-based non-profit LifeSpan Services. John also serves as President of the Charlotte Alumni Chapter for The Lawrenceville School, and coaches for his sons' sports teams. Amy Cervantes is 37, and is an at-home mom of three. In addition to her volunteer role as executive director for Birthday Blessings, she serves as an Elder at her church while also serving in teaching and leadership roles with the children's ministry. John and Amy have three sons: Alex, 8 years; Eli, 5 years; Adam, 3 years.
Event and Promotional Fliers
"Birthday Blessings brightens the lives of our children, who would
not otherwise have the opportunity to celebrate their birthdays."
Martha Olstin, social worker
Charlotte Emergency Housing
