7th Dream Helping Hearts Making Dreams Come True

By NaTyshca Pickett

The nonprofit organization 7th Dream Helping Hearts held it’s annual Believe in YourELF holiday adventure for young families in need.

Founded by Shaniqua Hopkins, 7th Dream Helping Hearts Dream serves low-income pregnant and parenting young women in and out of foster care by providing housing, assisting with basic needs and connecting to community resources to empower them to reach their full potential as a woman and a mother.

Once a teen mom, Hopkins understands many of the challenges the mothers she helps are up against.

“Growing up in group homes, the holidays were lonely, hoping you were able to get a pass to go home or maybe a gift. As a teen mom I often heard, “you know you don’t get anything now, just the baby,” Hopkins expressed.

"Empowering teen moms in foster care is not just a compassionate act; it's an investment in the resilience and potential of Arizona’s future leaders. At 7th Dream Helping Hearts, we cultivate a nurturing environment where these young mothers can blossom, break the cycle of adversity and rewrite the narrative of their lives. When we uplift these courageous teens, we're sowing the seeds of a brighter, more hopeful tomorrow,’ said Hopkins.

From left to right: Manuel Lucero of Lucero Consulting, Shaniqua Hopkins, and Dr. Kimberly Britt, President of Phoenix College. 

According to Hopkins, this event was created to change the norm, to show love and support during the holidays, to shower each mom and their children.

Each family went home with a personal bags full of self care gifts, gifts off their wish list for themself and their children, a hygiene basket and household supplies and they were able to shop for additional clothing and basic necessities after the event.

They enjoyed a catered meal, delicious desserts, pictures with Santa, created diy projects, danced with Minnie Mouse and Frosty, decorated cookies and filled their bellies with delicious hot chocolate!

To learn more about how to support 7th Dream Helping Hearts, be sure to visit their website.