To better equip our Solid Ground evening program volunteers, we hold quarterly training meetings. After surveying our volunteers, one request stood out clearly: more training focused on trauma and how to work with children who have experienced it—especially within a ministry setting.

We each received much satisfaction from serving and loving these children. It was exhausting and led to some sleepless nights, but there was joy knowing we were exactly where we were supposed to be!

Many kids who come to RHK just want to be seen. They want to know someone at RHK cares about them. They light up when you call them by their name. It matters to them.

Several of our RHK teens were invited by the Burpee Museum to serve as members of a Burpee Youth Board.

He also shared from his own experience as a former gang member who found new life in Christ and now ministers to others by teaching them the truths found in the transformational power of God's Word. His message was honest, convicting, and filled with the love and grace of the Holy Spirit.

We appreciate your help this month in equipping the teens for camp and making them feel seen as their needs are met.

Your generous donations make such a difference in our ability to provide essentials for the kids who come to RHK.

The RHK Volunteer Advisory Board is an integral part of making sure our volunteers are heard and our program continues to run smoothly. It is comprised of a group of dedicated, existing volunteers, who serve with both our littles and our teens.

For 2026, my hope and prayer are that we watch for when God shows up each day/week/month. I don’t want us to wait until January to reminisce about the past year. Let’s not miss the God winks throughout. He leaves His fingerprints all over. We just need to look for them.

My name is Steve Thompson. I have been a regular volunteer with Rock House Kids for about four years.

What a great time celebrating all of our RHK holiday traditions throughout December. Plus, a local church generously decided they wanted to make sure the siblings of our kids who don’t attend RHK also received gifts this year. Incredible! So, we had a record number of gifts to wrap at our Annual RHK Wrapping Party. It was no problem though. As always, many in the community came and made sure each and every gift was wrapped and ready for the kids to open. What a fun day! The b

“Serving the kids at RHK becomes part of your DNA. When you are not there, you miss the kids you work with. They count on you and are excited to see you.

As you look closely at the snowflakes the kids have made, you notice how each one is unique. No two are the same - just like the snowflakes outside, and like the children who made them. Each boy and girl who walks through our doors is uniquely created by God, with their own personality, strengths, and story.

Thank you for giving so generously throughout the year to meet the needs of our RHK family. During this season of celebrating our Savior’s birth, may God bless you all.

Each November, our teens head to Williams Tree Farm to pick out the perfect Christmas tree. They cut down the tree and spend some time enjoying the animals and other attractions on the farm. They they bring the tree back to RHK to enjoy a tree-trimming party - kicking off the holiday season for everyone at RHK. RHK Teens visit Williams Tree Farm

Wow! The Try-Beta Club did it again. This morning RHK received a very generous grant for $3500 to help cover the rising costs of fuel for our vans. This is a big help in us being able to offer transportation for some of the kids in our program who would not otherwise have a way to attend our evening program. Try-Beta honored not only RHK, but many other organizations in the the Rockford area who serve the kids in our community. Club members work hard to raise funds throughout

As we reflect on this year, which has been full of ups and downs, we see the Lord's hand in so many wonderful moments. Amid these ups and downs, this year brought both losses and wins.

This year was all about keeping it real, giving our guests a taste of what the kids experience when they attend our evening programs. Everyone became “Rock House Kids” for the night. Just like on program nights, all who came received a hot meal, were safe, and received a nugget of Jesus - the three marks of a good night at RHK.