For many families, the holiday season is filled with the comfort of traditions—gathering around the table, unwrapping presents beneath twinkling lights, or bundling up for a chilly evening of cocoa and Christmas lights. But for the young mothers and children who call Carole’s House of Hope (CHH) (caroleshouseofhope.org) home, these moments are more than festive fun. They are an opportunity to experience something many of them have never truly known: the warmth of family.
At CHH, the holidays are about creating stability, belonging, and memories that will last long after the season ends. Each tradition is carefully designed not only to celebrate but to teach—showing the young women in the program what it means to build a home filled with love, consistency, and joy.
The season begins with the first signs of fall. Thanks to longtime volunteer Elizabeth Koterba, CHH’s front entrance comes alive with seasonal arrangements that welcome residents and visitors alike. Soon after, families pile into vans for a day at Vala’s Pumpkin Patch or another fall favorite. CHH covers admission and even snack bags, allowing the mothers to focus less on cost and more on creating memories with their children. For many, it’s the first time they’ve enjoyed an outing like this together.
When Thanksgiving arrives, the house truly comes alive. Classes are suspended, curfews extended, and families are encouraged to relax and share meals around the table. Staff and volunteers decorate, prepare, and serve dinner, ensuring every mother and child feels cared for and celebrated. For residents who may not have another place to go, this holiday gathering becomes their family table.
As December rolls in, the house transforms into a winter wonderland. Lights and decorations sparkle in every corner, reminding participants that they are part of something bigger than themselves. CHH provides a Christmas dinner complete with a visit from Santa, who personally delivers gifts chosen with each family in mind. Every participant and child is asked to make a short wish list, ensuring they not only receive what they need but also something they truly want. For many, it’s the first time their holiday has included thoughtful, personalized gifts.
The celebrations don’t stop there. In recent years, CHH has treated families to a holiday outing—most memorably, a Christmas Lights Tour on Ollie the Trolley. Bundled in coats, sipping hot cocoa, and sharing snacks, the families laugh, sing, and marvel at the lights. For one night, the outside world fades away, and the women and children can simply enjoy the magic of the season.
What makes these traditions so powerful is not just the joy they bring in the moment, but the foundation they create for the future. By modeling family-centered traditions, CHH helps young mothers envision what they want for their own households one day. These are the memories that will inspire them to cook a holiday meal for their children, to carve pumpkins as a family, or to gather together year after year around a Christmas tree.
At Carole’s House of Hope, the holidays aren’t just celebrated — they are lived. They are proof that stability and love can be built, that family can be found, and that hope can shine brightly, even in the coldest months of the year.