First Source Federal Credit Union’s Community Team was thrilled to help brighten up The House of the Good Shepherd’s Sanctuary Café with a custom, vibrant, full-wall, mural design and installation.
First Source and The House have been working on community initiatives to support their students together since 1995. Most recently, First Source supported the Brighter Future Fund and STEM improvements at The House’s Tilton School, focusing on purchasing smartboards, laptops, tablets, and desktop computers for students. Assistance with the completion of the Sanctuary café included new flooring, funding for a work study program, and the mural.
“Our partnership is deeper than just the physical technology,” said Leila Bjornland, Assistant Director of Development for The House of the Good Shepherd. “In addition, First Source works with our employees and students on financial education and smart money management, which is a very necessary skill. We are grateful they share that knowledge with us.”
Bjornland continued, “Over the years, The House has seen the transformative impact of STEM education on our students' academic achievements and future prospects. Achievements and graduation success rates, ranging from 91% to 100%, underscore the transformative impact of our STEM-focused approach and the dedication of our educators. The impact of First Source’s contributions extends beyond the classroom, shaping students' pathways to higher education, vocational training, and employment.”
About The Tilton School and Sanctuary Café
The Tilton School offers a New York State Educational Department (NYSED) certified, structured, therapeutic, and supportive educational program for students in grades K -12. Their collaborative educational program is designed to meet the needs of students who have challenges with learning in a typical classroom environment. It offers small class sizes for students to receive more individualized and differentiated instruction and meaningful learning experiences to ensure all students reach their potential.
Youth empowerment programs, such as the Sanctuary Café, transcend perceived barriers and help vulnerable youth overcome their challenges and trauma. For the first time, youth can embrace a remarkable journey, looking towards a future with boundless possibilities. The primary objective is to provide these students with the tools to effectively manage adverse behaviors due to complex trauma histories and help them overcome their various challenges. The Sanctuary Café project reinforces students' sense of social responsibility within the school and the wider community. It operates on recognizing and rewarding positive behavior, acts of kindness, and academic improvement, fostering a culture of positivity and empowerment.
Full Circle: One Student’s Story
Tilton School provides vital resources, inspires hope, and fuels dreams for students, like *Kim, who graduated from Tilton School in 2021. After Kim no longer received services from The House and carved her way independently, the Tilton School's Youth Empowerment Specialist continued to provide guidance and support. Private donations and the Chip Lynch Brighter Future Fund made financial resources available to Kim.
Kim stayed focused and worked at a Pizza Parlor while attending college, but she believed in paying it forward and embraced the spirit of giving back to her The House of the Good Shepherd family. She returned in August of 2023 to share her experience. An impressive PowerPoint presentation with accompanying handouts covered college terminology, campus resources, time management, self-care, roommates, self-advocacy, and campus safety for Tilton School students. Kim explained how important it is to focus on school work and ask for help when needed, demonstrating the impact of education and community. The students were eager listeners as she guided them through the challenges of academia and was inspired by her success!
She successfully graduated in January 2024 from MVCC and is embarking on a new chapter to continue her education and study Vet Tech at SUNY Delhi! Her achievements were celebrated in true Tilton School spirit at the Sanctuary Café with homemade treats, balloons, cards, gifts, and countless photos of Kim in her cap and gown with teachers and Tilton School support staff. Kim promised to visit often and is grateful for her The House of the Good Shepherd family!
(*Name changed to protect privacy.)
What Students Are Saying About the Sanctuary Café
"I like the mural and its many interesting colors" - Daniel
"I look forward to going to the Cafe every week" - Cayden
"I love that we have a space that is for us kids to be who we are. The room is very cozy and inviting. We have a suggestion box, and the staff always listen to the kid's ideas and suggestions. We have kids' artwork on the walls and do activities in the cafe every month. Each month has a new theme. We just made holiday ornaments this month, and we painted pumpkins there last month." - Adrianna
“I like going to buy stuff at the Cafe at the end of the week. It helps me stay in class and stay positive. The mural is pretty.” - Kyler
"The mural is so satisfying. I love it!" - Roni
"We do not have a cafeteria at our school; we eat lunch in our homerooms. I love the cafe because it allows us to hang out and eat lunch with our peers. The cafe is a cool, safe space that makes me happy." - Roni
"The Trailblazer Bucks encourage students to do well in their classes and with their behaviors. We want to earn the Bucks to go to the cafe each week. It is very rewarding and motivating." - Emerick
For more information regarding The House of the Good Shepherd, please contact Lee Bjornland at leilab@hgsutica.com or 315-235-7772.