BHGH Detroit
January 2024 News and Events
Our Mission
Letter from our Executive Director, Rebecca Limbaugh
Embracing the Promise of a New Year
Dear Boys Hope Girls Hope Family,
As we step into the dawn of a new year, I am filled with an overwhelming sense of gratitude and optimism for the journey that lies ahead. The past year has been a testament to the resilience and strength of our Boys Hope Girls Hope Detroit community, and I am extremely proud of all that we have achieved together.
In the face of unknown challenges, our commitment to empowering and supporting the youth has shined brightly. Whether it was navigating uncertainties, or finding innovative ways to deliver programming, our collective efforts have made a lasting impact on the lives of those we serve.
As we reflect on the accomplishments of the past year, let us also acknowledge the lessons learned and the growth that has taken place. Our ability to adapt, evolve, and continue making a difference is a testament to our dedication to our vision of One Team, One Mission.
As we begin a new chapter, I want to express my deepest appreciation for your unwavering support. Whether you are a dedicated board member, staff member, generous donor, passionate volunteer, or an advocate for our cause, you are an integral part of the Boys Hope Girls Hope of Detroit family, and your contributions do not go unnoticed.
Looking forward, 2024 holds the promise of new opportunities, fresh perspectives, and the potential for even greater impact. We remain steadfast in our commitment to providing a safe and nurturing space for youth to learn, grow, and thrive. Together, we will continue to foster a sense of belonging, inspire confidence, and equip our youth with the skills they need to navigate the challenges of the future.
Let us continue to work hand in hand, guided by our shared vision and the belief that every young person has the potential to create a positive and lasting impact on the world.
Wishing you a joyous and fulfilling new year!
With gratitude,
Ms. Rebecca Limbaugh (ED)
Featured Team Member and Scholar
Meet London Johnson, Collegian Support Manager
London has been with BHGH since September 2017 and has created an outstanding impact on our collegians. Before BHGH she completed her own college journey, earning a bachelor and Masters in Social Work. When she isn't doing the important work of ensuring our Collegians feel supported on their journey with the resources and scholarships they deserve, she is caring for her loving 1 year old son and enjoying cooking, time with family and friends and catching up on tv shows.
"My absolute favorite part of this role is serving our scholars, collegians and their families. We have such a beautiful opportunity to impact young people's lives and I don't take that lightly. I have learned so much about myself and the world through the lenses of the young people I have encountered and for that, I will be forever grateful." - London Johnson
Meet Sage Walker, Hope House Scholar
Sage Walker joined us in the Hope House as a freshmen in High school and her transformation as she nears the end of her Junior year has been wonderful to watch.
" Im in my junior year and when I first started BHGH I was not confident in myself and I wasn't really comfortable expressing myself but joining BHGH has really helped me become more confident."- Sage Walker
She is an athlete, participating in Cheer and Track and Field and she loves helping her family at their Auto Repair Shop. So much so, that she wants to go to trade school and become a mechanic upon graduating high school. She expresses that her favorite thing about being a BHGH scholar is having the opportunity to meet wonderful people and being able to really express herself. We are happy to have Sage with us and support her as she grows into her best self.
Friends of BHGH Detroit
We want to thank Brian Pitts for his continuous donation of Paper Products to the Hope House. Having not to worry about these essentials has been a blessing. Good luck on your next journey, You will be missed.
Scholar Reflections
Legacy
Hope House Scholars and Sisters, Zarreya and Zakiya Rogers welcomed their New Year celebrating the life of their Great Grandmother, Bertha, as she turned 100 years old on January 2nd.
"It feels amazing to have someone you love live such a long, full life and I am very grateful and thankful that she was able to reach 100"- Zarreya Rogers
Program Highlights
Staff Holiday Party
December 22, 2023
The BHGH Staff ended their year with a laugh, attending a comedy show at Punchline Comedy Club hosted by First Lady of Detroit Comedy, CoCo!
Christmas at the Hope House
Festival of Hope Kick-Off at Motor City Round Table
Board Member, Jo Coleman, visits the Hope House
Recipe of the Month
Let's Get Cookin'!
London's Favorite Cajun Chicken Pasta (Gluten Free)
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 chicken breasts, halved into thin breasts
- 10 ounce pasta
Homemade Cajun Seasoning
- 2 tablespoon chipotle chili powder
- 3 teaspoon garlic powder
- 3 teaspoon paprika
- 2 teaspoon dried basil
- 2 teaspoon ground sage
- 2 teaspoon ground mustard
- 2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1.25 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon ground oregano
- 1 teaspoon ground thyme
- 1 teaspoon fine salt
Creamy Cajun Pasta Sauce
- 2 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 medium red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms, optional
- ¼ cup GF chicken broth
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon almond flour, optional
- ½ cup parmesan cheese, shredded or grated
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Make your homemade cajun seasoning by combining all the cajun seasoning ingredients together and mixing well.
- Make your pasta according to package instructions. If your pasta is done before the rest of the dish, drizzle your fully cooked and drained noodles in a splash of olive oil and set aside.
- While your pasta is cooking, make your cajun chicken: In a large skillet heat the olive oil over medium heat and add the chicken breasts. Add a pinch of the homemade cajun seasoning to each chicken breast and then cook for 3-5 minutes. Flip each chicken piece, sprinkle the second side with another pinch of cajun seasoning, and cook another 3-5 minutes or until brown on each side and fully cooked. Remove chicken and set aside on a plate.
- In the same skillet that the chicken was cooked in, add the butter and minced garlic until the butter is melted. Add the sliced mushrooms and bell pepper and cook for a few minutes until tender.
- Add in the chicken broth, cream, almond flour, parmesan cheese, garlic powder, and pepper and allow to simmer (stirring occasionally) until the sauce starts to slightly thicken, about 5 minutes.
- Add in the pasta and stir to coat. Place the chicken breasts on top of the creamy cajun pasta and sprinkle with extra parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley. Enjoy!
Call to Action!
"We Have A Dream" Help get us to Washington DC
UPCOMING EVENTS
Festival of Hope
Friday, Feb 23, 2024, 06:00 PM
19930 Livernois, Detroit, MI, USA
Thank you to some of our Community Partners!
Say Detroit Play Center
For more information about Say Detroit Play Center please visit their website https://www.sayplay.org
The Yunion
The Student Connection
Anderson's Auto Repair
Gleaners
Kendra Scott
Boys Grosse Pointe North Soccer Team
Loyola High School
Detroit Edison Public School Academy Early College of Excellence
Thank you to all of our dynamic donors. Boys Hope Girls Hope of Detroit is funded by the generosity of our community. Your dollars fund the dreams of our Scholars. Thank you!
Connect With Us
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