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The "Guide"
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The "Guide" includes:
|Table of Contents
|Acknowledgements
|Forward
|History
|Benefits
|Getting Started
|Steps to Success
|Logistics
|Conclusion|
|Warm Up America|
|Appendix|
 History 
In 1997, Marilyn North and Bonnie Lively developed a fiber arts program for at-risk students at
Broadway Middle School in Seaside, Oregon. The success of this program prompted the
Seaside High School Alternative program project. At that point, an after-school program was
conceived using adults within the community. It soon became apparent that the program could
have significant impact on creating a healthy alternative activity for kids. Marilyn and Bonnie
believed this could be instrumental in preventing drug, alcohol and tobacco abuse, as well as
providing an opportunity for a caring one-on-one relationship between youths and adults in a
safe environment that is mutually beneficial.
Hawkins and Catalanos Research 2 clearly shows that young people are less likely to engage in risky
behaviors when they are bonded to trusted adults and school. Mentoring programs promote positive
relationships that encourage and recognize a young person’s competence. They also promote positive
behavior and a sense of personal success that builds a healthy foundation within the adolescent.
As an independent sales representative for national yarn companies and having been involved in the
industry for nearly twenty years, Bonnie was aware of a diminishing consumer base and saw how this
program could also play a role in the needlework industry as a boost to lagging sales nationwide.
She had the opportunity to connect with people on the national level who would be key stakeholders
in seeing this idea come to fruition. Bonnie’s and Marilyn’s relationship and mixture of backgrounds
became the perfect combination in putting this program together. So many needs were being filled
simultaneously, which is what makes this program so successful. This is where this book comes in.
It is the piece of the puzzle that attempts to create the link between the original program and the
creation of future programs throughout the nation.
Bonnie and Marilyn approached the industry for funding as a proposal to create future consumers, as
well as business and community partnerships. Their efforts have been richly rewarded. They
acknowledge the members of
The National NeedleArts Association,
TNNA's Yarn Group and
The Craft Yarn Council of America
for being willing and forward-thinking with their participation of financial support for this program.
In the summer of 2000, Helping Hands Foundation, Inc. received their non-profit status from the
Federal Government to operate as a charitable and educational 501(c)(3) corporation.
In the Fall of 2002 we created the Needle Arts Mentoring Program (NAMP) as a
project of the Helping Hands Foundation. NAMP is in the process of expanding its
programs nationwide. As of May 2007, we had programs in place throughout 29 states
with over 140 programs of volunteers touching the lives of over 3600 of children.
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