Hope Through a Child's Eyes

This project was born out of a question we asked the children in Eva’s After School Program: “What is your favorite thing to do here?”  The resounding response was “ART!”

Then we asked them “What does Eva’s Hope Residence mean to you? How do you feel about being here?” These one-of-a-kind artworks are their answers.

To these children, Eva’s Village represents Hope, Family, and Home. For more than 30 years, Eva’s Village has provided shelter for mothers with children seeking refuge from life on the streets – but so many families need more than just a roof over their heads. And so, ten years ago, we opened our Hope Residence for Mothers with Children. This unique program – one of just a few in the state of NJ – offers a safe haven where families can recover together from the devastating effects of poverty, homelessness and addiction.

As mothers heal through treatment, and work to build job training and life skills, we support their children, who need to heal as well. Homelessness takes its toll on a child – moving from place to place, changing schools, not knowing where their next meal might come from. And children of mothers struggling with addiction often take on the burden of caring for a sick parent, even at a young age. At Hope Residence, we help children recover the joy of just being children – perhaps for the first time in their lives.

Please take a look  at the faces  Eva's kids and their artwork - both  filled with the joy and magic of creative expression!

Special thanks to Dan Renaldo, Carol Murray, Judy Dombrosky, Shahida Aktar, Clarisa Mercado & CoreMedia