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A Big Thanks for the 2008-2009 Winter Shelter
The Winter Shelter operated from December 1, 2008 to March 15, 2009. Our heartfelt thanks to LAHSA (Los Angeles Housing Services Authority), the churches listed below where the shelter operated for two weeks at a time and to the many church groups, service organizations, schools, businesses, individuals (too numerous to mention) for providing funds, shelter, services (medical, dental and social), showers, clothes, food, and loving care.
Here are some statistics:
Total number of clients served: Unduplicated individuals - 1021.
Unduplicated family units - 131 (249 children, 173 adults)
Served about 55,000 hot meals, lunches and breakfasts.
16,500 bed nights (a bed night is when a cot is occupied for the night)
291 motel vouchers given to families plus 48families sheltered at GlenKirk in lieu of vouchers
Participating Churches:
St. Christopher Catholic Church, West Covina
St. Dorothy's Catholic Church, Glendora
Glenkirk Presbyterian Church, Glendora
St. John Vianney Catholic Church, hacienda Heights
St. Martha's Catholic Church, Valinda
First Chinese Baptist Church, Walnut
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Rowland Heights |
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ESGVCH Mission Statement
The ESGVCH is a coalition of local faith based groups, service organizations, businesses and individuals dedicated to serving the poor, homeless and those at risk of homelessness.
Our goals are:
(a) To alleviate the immediate need for food, clothing, shelter, care and other supportive services
(b) To assist and support the efforts of the homeless and near homeless to regain the ability to provide for themselves a stable home environment.
(c) To raise communit awareness about homeless issues and to foster partnerships and community collaborations to accomplish our goals.
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Dear Friend:
"We ain't gonna die nor shall we disappear." Words of the homeless scrawled on a piece of concrete right in our community - a sign that cries loudly for help. We can no longer be oblivious to the plight of the homeless right in our community. The homeless are not just the guys in the street corner panhandling. Many of them are men, women and children hidden in bushes, alleys and under the freeways. Not all are mentally ill and substance abusers or dirty and smelly. Many are ordinary folks like you and me, but without a house to go to when darkness falls.
What causes homelessness? And who are the homeless? On the causes, the list can start with: lack of affordable housing, lack of jobs that provide a living wage, and lack of resources to help the poor, victims of domestic violence, disabled (mental and physical), substance abusers, etc. Because we live in California, a "multihazard" state that can have fires, earthquakes, fires, floods, landslides, often without warning, we are all vulnerable to being homeless, perhaps just for a few days if we are lucky. And the state of our economy these days has exacerbated the problem. What are we to do? In this issue and every issue of this newsletter, you can find out what some individuals and organizations are doing. We all need to be part of the solution. Help us help the homeless.
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Homeless attend Comedy Show
Saturday, March 28, 2009, some of us enjoyed the Million Laughs Comedy Show at the James Hall Theatre in Norwalk. Featured were professional performers - comedians Will Morton, Peter Chen, Patrick Hanifin, Karen Krantz and Lamont Bonman, Juggler David Cruz, Ventriloquist Rob Watkins - who generously gave their time and talent to raise funds for the Rio Hondo Temporary Home in Norwalk. Will and Yvonne Morton began Million Laughs in 2003 as a means of "giving back to the community." Their comedy shows are offered at many venues including Homeless Shelters. Nothing like a comedy show to offer respite from the struggles of everyday life and the daily reminders of the country's difficult economic times
Yvonne Morton, Million Laughs Producer
Will Morton, Irene Kubo and David Littlehales,
Rio Hondo Temporary Home Executive Director
Tim Townsel, Hershell Burns, Angela Arredondo,
Peter Chen (Comedian), Irene Kubo,
Richard Kubo, Manuel Arredondo, Angelica Michail
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First Presbyterian Church Baldwin Park Donation
Baldwin Park Presbyterian Church Pastor Edie Gause, Angelica Michail and Church Elder Sherry Hollander with the church Souper Bowl donations of funds, food and hygiene supplies for the homeless
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The San Gabriel Valley Consortium on Homelessness
This group which consists of representatives from the cities in San Gabriel Valley (SGV) and various organizations serving the homeless in SGV meets every second Wednesday of the month. The next meeting is April 8, 2009 at Citrus Valley Medical Center (Annex 7), 1115 S. Sunset Ave., West Covina from 9:30 am - 11:30 am. The Chairperson is Jan Cicco, Homeless services coordinator, City of Pomona (tel: 909 620 2571, jan_cicco@ci.pomona.ca.us.
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East San Gabriel Valley Coalition for the Homeless
St. John Vianney Church
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