At Hope Haven, the holiday season brings warmth, togetherness, and a moment to reflect on the incredible generosity we experienced during last year’s Giving Tuesday. The support we received profoundly impacted our Hope Academy program, shaping our students’ lives throughout the year. So, this Giving Tuesday, we’re doing something a little different.

At Hope Haven, teamwork is as sweet as our watermelon treats, Career Camp students turn sugary dreams into colorful creations, one precise tray at a time.

Giving BACK Tuesday

Our students want to give back to the very people who gave to last year’s Giving Tuesday campaign. These donors made so many things possible, specifically a new student-run microenterprise. Since the launch of Hopeful Bites, something extraordinary has taken shape among our Hope Academy students. They are discovering their capabilities, building financial literacy, fostering independence, and developing essential life skills that will serve them beyond the classroom. It gives the students valuable tools and shows them there is no limit to what they can accomplish.

In a delightful burst of color and creativity, as Hope Academy students carefully line trays with vibrant peach slices ensuring each is perfectly positioned for freeze drying.

Hopeful Bites: A Success Story

The support we received for Hopeful Bites propelled our students toward greater achievements. Each Hope Academy student earned their Chez Pierre Florida Food Handlers Certification, a milestone marking the beginning of their professional journeys. Fast forward to today, and we see how much our new students are learning from the ongoing support of Hopeful Bites, gaining invaluable hands-on experience.

Four images featuring Hope Academy students proudly holding prep trays of Hopeful Bites on their way to the freeze dryer.

Tokens of Gratitude

In gratitude for the profound impact each donor made on their lives, our students spent the past few weeks planning, creating, and packaging hand-crafted treats. These tokens of appreciation offer a glimpse into the brighter future that last year’s Giving Tuesday donors helped create.

A Hope Academy student, carefully inspects each tray of Hopeful Bites before loading them into the freeze dryer.

Looking Ahead

As we look ahead, we are filled with anticipation and excitement for the possibilities the coming years will bring. With the continued support of our donors, we know together we can accomplish even more. Thank you for being a part of our Hope Haven family. We look forward to continuing this journey together, with hope and gratitude guiding the way.

*Surprise! Giving BACK Tuesday Social Media Announcement Reel.*

From brainstorming heartfelt gifts to crafting, packaging, and delivering them … this GivingTuesday, Hope Academy students flipped the script! This video offers a behind-the-scenes look at the hard work, creativity, and gratitude that powered Giving BACK Tuesday.

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