"One summer, I picked up three sisters from Suffolk County who had been waiting for ages to get to Bedford to see their mother. As I pulled the van down their street, I saw them waiting in front of their house, bags all lined up. I heard the youngest, age 7, shout, "The van is here! Let's go! Mommy's waiting!" - Tim, Hour Children volunteer

$5,000 can help buy a new van to make sure that children like these three can visit with their mom. Whether for a one-day visit, a monthly long weekend visit or a week-long summer day camp experience, these visits are essential to building a strong relationship with mother and child that can extend to when they reunite when Hour women come home.

"I had been in a bunch of programs that didn't keep me out of jail. When my baby and I came to My Mother's House and we walked in the door, it felt different. Then, they showed us to our room. The crib was made up for my daughter. There were pillows and a beautiful quilt on my bed; everything I needed to care for my baby was there. There was even a welcome basket for me. I knew I was home." Kelli, former Hour Children mother.

$2,000 can make sure that mothers and their children, like Kelli and her baby, will feel welcomed and supported in our communal residences. Your gift will provide bed linens, bath linens, clothing, hygiene products, and furniture to women and children as they reunify and move toward independent living.

"I was away for most of my son's childhood. He is now 31 and still has a big box that he keeps under his bed filled with every card I ever made and every cassette tape I ever sent him while I was in prison. Any time he has moved, that box has gone with him." Dee

$1,500 can ensure that more children will receive priceless gifts like these from their mothers. Hour programs like Card Shoppe and Story Time keep mothers and children connected while they are living apart and for years beyond.

"I'll see you tomorrow!" are precious words spoken between mother and child participating in Hour summer programs at Bedford Hills and Taconic Correctional Facilities....words that have not been spoken in over a year. We want Hour 2021 summer program to be even more memorable because of this.

$1,000 can cover the cost of much-needed supplies - food, games, and activities - used during Hour Summer Program at the prisons; as well as activities for Hour children to connect with each other throughout the year.

"I've never been to a food pantry before. You made this so easy. Thanks." These words reflect the unexpected reality for hundreds of our neighbors who found themselves facing food insecurity during the past year. At Hour Children Community Food Pantry, we are privileged to deliver support served up with compassion and a belief in the dignity of all our clients.

Your $750 donation can provide more than 200 meals to pantry-goers. Since the beginning of the pandemic, the people coming to our food pantry increased by 200%. Your donation will help us buy food and supplies so we are able to meet the needs of the Long Island City community and beyond.

"Most mornings, when my alarm goes off, I want to stay in bed. When I'm going to visit my mother, I get up." These words of Nadji shared at our Mother's Day Luncheon in 2019 show how important our visitation program is to families...this year, especially. After 14 months of separation, our mothers and children want nothing more than to see, touch, and hug one another.

$500 can support Hour Children's visitation services. Your donation can help us provide transportation, accompaniment for the drive, food, and anything else children like Nadji need to spend time with their mother.

"I love Miss Lisa's school!" Aisha, age 5. Aisha came to Hour Children with her mother at the age of 2. Shy and hesitant for a while, the support and enrichment she received from Hour child care programs have helped her blossom into a confident, sociable girl who loves to learn.

$250 can support the expanded response of Hour Child Care programs to the pandemic, providing space and assistance for remote learning, food for lunches and materials for the classroom and day care that promote learning and play for children like Aisha.