Hilltop Announces Community Open House, Public Invited to August 6 Kickoff Event

2014-Hilltop-Open-House-PromoAugust 6, 2014 marks the official start of a new Hilltop Neighborhood House initiative, aptly named “The Many Faces of Hilltop,” and is designed to raise awareness of how Hilltop enriches the lives of children, families, and the community. “Our philosophy embodies how ‘Strong Families Make Successful Communities.’ This is what Hilltop is all about,” stated Hilltop Neighborhood House CEO Jennifer Wright. “Educational programs and tools for children, after-school care that is essential for working parents and our food pantry all create important building blocks that help all members of our community.”

Wright explained how the August 6 Kickoff Event – The Many Faces of Hilltop Community Open House – will give community members the opportunity to come to Hilltop and see, first hand, how generous donations have enabled the organization to create an environment that is good for kids…and great for helping families throughout the community.

From 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., community leaders and members of the general public will enjoy food and refreshments, tours of the Early Childhood Development Program and Hilltop Too-Walt’s Place After-school Environment, and personal stories from the staff and parents about how Hilltop has positively impacted their lives. All of this will give visitors a greater understanding of Hilltop – the programs, people, volunteers, and donors who so who generously contribute their time and money to help the Hilltop community thrive. “We are looking forward to welcoming the public to join us at this exciting event,” added Wright. “By getting a closer look at Hilltop, we are confident that our family of ‘The Many Faces of Hilltop’ will continue to grow!”

More About Hilltop’s Programs and Services
Early Childhood Development Program
The learning environment created within Hilltop Neighborhood House’s Early Childhood Development Program is designed to provide children with the resources, tools, and age-appropriate stimuli to help ensure that they thrive when they enter the elementary and higher public or private school systems.

One way to ensure that children’s educational needs are met is attending an early childhood educational program that has achieved success within “Paths to QUALITYTM” (PTQ) – Indiana’s Child Care Quality Rating and Improvement System.

Wright explained how Hilltop’s program is the only registered childcare ministry in Porter County to have achieved our success in Paths to QUALITY and only the second in the State of Indiana to achieve Level 3 status. And as a part of its curriculum, Hilltop offers a Kindergarten Readiness Program, which provides children with opportunities to develop social, listening, and learning skills; 100 percent of children tested in the 95th percentile or Higher on Kindergarten Entrance Testing.

Hilltop Too- Walt’s Place After-School Program
Hilltop Too – Walt’s Place is home to our ever-growing After-School Program. Children from the community come to Walt’s Place directly from school to participate in various projects and activities. Our after-school program allows parents to keep working or go to school while their child is in a safe place.

At Walt’s Place, kids who may otherwise have nowhere to go after school enjoy daily snacks, one-on-one tutoring, study time, games, crafts, socializing, and dinner.

Rose Gray Hilltop Food Pantry
The Rose Gray Hilltop Food Pantry serves approximately 400 individuals every month…year-round…and the numbers continue to grow. Just recently, Amy, a food pantry volunteer, had 18 clients come through the doors in a 2-1/2 hour period. Although the Food Pantry is known for passing out food staples, it also provides families in need with other supplies to make their lives a little easier while helping local children’s smiles shine brightly. Holiday food baskets go out to make special times of the year more festive. Vouchers for new shoes put a spring in the steps of back-to-school students. Coat drives help families bundle up during the cold winter months. And school supplies equip the students with the tools they need to be their best.