Weekly Community Update – National Napping Day, Reading Month & Upcoming Tea Brunch!
Today is National Napping Day 😴✨ — and after the return of Daylight Saving Time yesterday ⏰, we definitely earned it! Losing that hour of sleep can leave us feeling a little extra tired, so take a moment to grab a good nap and recharge. 💤
Rest, refresh, and then head on over to Houghton Jones ready for a great week ahead. We can’t wait to see your bright (well-rested 😉) faces! 💛🏡🌟
And don’t forget — March is Reading Month! 📚✨ This special time celebrates the joy and power of books in our lives. Let’s turn the page together by encouraging our youth to read every day, explore new stories, and discover just how far their imagination can take them.
For our younger readers, we recommend the wonderful children’s book The Very Busy Spider — a fun story that teaches focus, hard work, and perseverance. 🕷️📖
For young adults, the Percy Jackson series is a fantastic choice. With five exciting books and several spin-offs, this adventure-filled series blends mythology, friendship, and courage in a way that keeps readers hooked from beginning to end. ⚡📚
As part of Women’s History Month, this week we highlight modern female activist Malala Yousafzai 🌍✨. Malala is a Pakistani education activist who advocates for girls’ education around the world 📚👩🏽🏫.
When she was just 11 years old, she began speaking out about how girls had been banned from attending school by the Taliban 🚫🏫. She wrote a blog for the BBC under an alias, sharing what daily life was like under Taliban rule and describing the shutdown of girls’ schools ✍🏽📰.
In 2012, at just 15 years old, Malala survived an assassination attempt by a Taliban gunman 💔. Rather than discouraging her, the attack strengthened her determination to fight for the right to education 💪🏽🔥. After recovering, she co-founded the Malala Fund, an organization dedicated to ensuring 12 years of free, safe, and quality education for girls around the world 🌎🎓.
In 2014, she became the youngest person ever to receive the Nobel Peace Prize 🏆🕊️, honoring her courageous advocacy for children’s rights and education.
This week, our Sister Lois A. Sheaffer After-School Program continues Monday through Thursday from 3:30 PM – 6:00 PM at 1708 Johnson Street. We look forward to seeing our youth learning, building confidence, and having fun in a safe, supportive environment where they can truly shine. 🌟💛
🎶 Music Monday — We kick off the week with Major Chords for Minors, bringing creativity, energy, and the power of music to inspire our youth.
💚 Tuesday Scouts — In partnership with the Girl Scouts, youth participate in leadership development, teamwork, and confidence-building activities. And yes — they are selling cookies 🍪, so make sure to stop by and support!
🧠✨ Mindful Wednesday with P.A.Y.S. — A time dedicated to mindfulness, positive decision-making, and personal growth.
🎳 Bowling Thursday — We wrap up the week with fun, friendship, and a little friendly competition!
💃🏽🕺🏽 Hustle Robics — Monday & Thursday | 6–7 PM
Join us for just $5! No dance experience needed — just come ready to move, laugh, and have a great time while getting your steps in. It’s fun fitness for everyone! 🔥
We are just one week away from our upcoming celebration! 🎉✨
Next week is the 🌸🫖 Christina Jones Women’s Tea Brunch — March 21st | 11 AM
Tickets are limited for this beautiful celebration honoring dynamic women in our community while raising funds to support HJNA youth programs and initiatives 💛👩🏽💼👩🏾🏫. The event will be filled with inspiration, connection, and celebration — and you won’t want to miss it!
🎟️ Tickets can be purchased on our website or by calling 989-752-1660.
We can’t wait to see you this week, Houghton Jones Family! 💛🏡✨