The holiday season is a time for joy, connection, and community; a sentiment we carry into everything we do at Harford Family House. For families experiencing homelessness, the holidays can be an extremely challenging and isolating time, which is why we go the extra mile to create moments of warmth and celebration for our residents.
When devastation strikes a family and pushes them into homelessness, Harford Family House works to rebuild trust and hope within those affected. The holidays offer opportunities for the HFH team to create community amongst our residents, helping them to feel valued, respected, and cared for.
To build anticipation for the holiday season, we deliver donated Christmas trees to each of the families in our care shortly after Thanksgiving. They are then invited to fill out a Christmas Wishlist of items they would like to see under the tree on Christmas morning. Thanks to our generous donors, the wish lists are fulfilled and gifted to the residents later in December.
Harford Family House also hosts a Kid’s Holiday Workshop on-site for the youth we serve. With community donations, this festive event allows children to choose gifts for their parents while enjoying holiday crafts, music, Christmas movies, gingerbread house decorating, and more. Our dedicated volunteers offer stations for gift wrapping, refreshments, and Christmas card crafting. This cherished event is one that both HFH staff and the children we serve look forward to every year.
Continuing the festivities, HFH hosts a Christmas party for all residents in our transitional and permanent supportive housing programs. This celebration includes a holiday dinner, music, games, pictures with Santa, crafts, and more! It provides families with a much-needed break from daily stressors, offering them a chance to connect with others in similar circumstances. At this event, residents find a sense of belonging and joy, free from judgment, even if only for a few hours.
At our Emergency Shelter, residents are offered a hot Christmas dinner prepared by Bel Air Church. On Christmas morning, they wake up to gift bags filled with thoughtful items like hats, gloves, chapstick, and gift cards for restaurants or gas stations. These small gestures go a long way for our residents, offering both practical support and a sense of holiday comfort.
While these events bring joy to our residents, we see them as just one part of our commitment to making our neighbors feel supported during the holidays. During a season that emphasizes togetherness, we rally behind our residents to ensure they feel valued. It’s only through the generosity of our community that we can create a magical holiday season that serves as the foundation for continued support all year long.