Hello Friends of Boys Hope Girls Hope of Detroit,

In many under resourced city neighborhoods, community gun violence is routine. The health and wellbeing of nearly everyone living within these neighborhoods are adversely impacted, including our scholars and their families. According to the Pew Research Center the number of children and teens killed by gunfire in the United States increased 50% between 2019 and 2021.

At Boys Hope Girls Hope of Detroit we understand the importance of supporting our scholars and families in the challenges they face with this issue within their communities. On Sunday, June 25th, 2023, our scholars volunteered and was excited to lead the March at their first Anti Gun Violence March & Rally hosted by the Charles W. Reid Community Help Center. Our scholars had the opportunity to speak of and remember family and/or friends they lost to gun violence. Our Scholars were proud and felt impowered to support this initiative. What a beautiful sight to witness!

The keynote speaker at the event was the kind and personable Mr. Hill Harper, Film & TV Actor/Author/ Entrepreneur and Humanitarian. Mr. Harper offered words of encouragement as we discussed how community leaders are working stronger together to build a better future for generations to come.

If this publication inspires you, I ask that you support our Scholars in their journey to success. Every dollar we receive helps to transform a life and offer new opportunities for a safe and brighter future. We could use your help to continue our mission.

A special thank you to Dan Liable, our board chair, Board of Directors, Donors, and Community Partners for your unwavering support.

With Sincere Gratitude,

Rebecca Limbaugh Executive Director

"Instilling in them how to be young ladies.. that's my thing. I've always wanted to worked with kids. I love seeing them happy and helping them through their journeys; answering questions and offering guidance. My inspiration is seeing them come back and talk about life and how they made it through their challenges."

Ms. Cynthia is best known and well loved for her culinary skills and amazing home cooked meals, which she provides every day for our residential Scholars. "I just love seeing people enjoy my food."

Ms. Cynthia's Legendary SWEET POTATO PIE

Ingredients

.2 large sweet potato

1 ½ cups of sugar

1 can of condensed milk

4 eggs room temperature

1 1/2 cup of PET milk or more if needed

2 tablespoons vanilla extract

2 teaspoons of nutmeg or more to taste

2 sticks of butter

1 9inch store brought pie crust ( I like to use the deep-dish pie crust)

Directions

Heat oven to 350

Boil sweet potato until they are tender when pierced with a fork.

When potatoes are done mash them until they are smooth if there are a few lumps that's ok.

Melt your butter and add it to the potatoes. Add your sugar, ,nutmeg, eggs, vanilla and condensed milk and stir with a large spoon (I like to use a wooden spoon). Add your PET milk one cup at a time until you get a smooth consistency; not too thin. Pour it into your pie shell and cook it for 45 minutes to an hour until firm.

Are you interested in employing one of our fantastic college graduates? Our amazing alumni is full of recently graduated or soon to be graduated young people ready to enter the workforce. For information on connecting our graduates to your business, please contact London Johnson, Collegian Support Manger ljohnson@bhgh.org.

The inaugural Envision U conference took place last week at our partner school, St. Olaf College, in scenic Northfield, Minnesota.

This was an opportunity for the 11th graders/rising seniors to experience campus life with workshops and tours to three colleges/universities in Minnesota. Scholars stayed on St. Olaf’s College campus and toured the University of St. Thomas and Carleton College.

Scholars had the opportunity to dive into subjects focused on social justice, applying to colleges, self awareness, and much more. Our scholars have returned home with new knowledge and inspiration, new friends from across the country, and strengthened resolve about their future college careers.

Thank you EnvisionU!

Email: scruse@bhgh.org
Website: https://bhghdetroit.org
Location: P.O. Box 21085 Detroit, MI 48221
Phone: 313-524-0557
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BoysHopeGirlsHopeDetroit/
Twitter: @BHGHDetroit