July marked promotion time at RHK! Just like at school, all of our kids and teens moved up to their new grade levels at RHK, too.

Enjoying this sweet summer weather with our Solid Ground Kids at Lockwood on Monday! Games, face paint, and a picnic made for a lovely afternoon.

We had a visit from the Burpee Reptile Outreach team back in June and our kids got to learn all about reptiles.

We laced up for some serious fun last Wednesday at Skateland - Rockford ! Some of our kids experienced a few falls at first, but got the hang of it and are excited to return again.

Huzzah! We had a blast last week at Medieval Times.

Our middle school teens just finished up a 10-week program called “Too Good for Drugs.”

If you have ever wondered what it is like for our kids and volunteers at RHK, we encourage you to come to our RHK Open House on June 11. Our staff will give you a tour, walking you through what a night at our evening program looks like.

Faith is a big part in my life, and I am so grateful for the opportunity to join in on the teaching and friendships I share with the Rock House family.

My name is Mike. I grew up in Crystal Lake, IL, and graduated college at SIU. I am the finance coordinator for Rock House Kids, but my most important job is being a father to my three sons and a devoted husband to my beautiful wife, Laura.

These are just a few exciting things happening lately. But the biggest news happened when someone from Rockford Ridge (formerly known as Concord Commons), a housing development on the west side of Rockford, reached out to us. They asked if we would be interested in having an RHK site on their property. I have learned - when God opens a door, we need to walk through it.

What stood out the most for the group though, was how they saw God at work. They were challenged by their chapel speaker to "take of their masks" - remove the guard they put up to keep people from seeing them for who they are and just be real with each other.

Hi, my name is Hope Sandine. I grew up in Davis Junction and was homeschooled. I have a twin sister who also volunteers with me on Mondays.

We want to thank all those who came out to the RHK Art Auction and Townhall meeting last Friday. The art pieces our kids made raised $420 for the Broadway Food Pantry. Plus, The Dharma Foundation matched it 100%, for a total of $840. What a blessing!

Way to go, Rockford IceHogs ! On Sunday, our teens helped cheer on the team to a 4-1 win over the Grand Rapid Griffins at the BMO Center. They had a great time, and of course, no game is complete without taking some selfies with Hammy. Let's go Hogs!

I have a question for you. Do you let your past define you and keep you stuck? I have met many people who are stuck in their past. When I speak to people about RHK I often hear people say, “Well, the kids are stuck in their circumstances.”

Last December, at our Annual Wrapping Party, the Kiwanis Club of Rockford presented RHK with a special gift - a new cotton candy machine!

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, what better time for the teens to have an event night?

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.