There is a women and children homeless shelter a mere 2.5 miles from Cheverly, in Capitol Heights, MD. The shelter houses women and their children in three dorm style rooms (about 70, moms and kids combined), plus 20-25 women in a single women dorm. Job training, GED courses, employment assistance, and day care are provided at this facility which is part of the county social services department.

On Sunday October 3rd, over 25 Cheverly kids and parents hosted a party at the shelter for the residents. Saundra and Benjamin worked hard to provide hot dogs and deli platters, juice, cookies and cake. We all ate together. Then we went outside for double-dutch and hopscotch, a spirited game of tag on the playground, and a writing project organized by Julie, Maggie, and Iola James.

Our two hour party went by so fast, we would like to do this again!

One goal was for the Cheverly Kids Care Club kids to get to know the children at the shelter and realize that although they have hardships that are very different from our lives, they are kids "just like us". And of course we wanted to show the kids at the shelter a good time, and give their moms a bit of a break.

It was a successful outing on all counts.