Because of the pandemic, more than a million California households owe almost $4 billion in back rent. While the Governor recently announced additional rent relief funds, the state must make two critical changes in order for families to access this money in time to keep them housed. Please join us in calling upon the Governor and state legislators to:
A huge THANK YOU to each and every one of our 13 FCCSJ members who participated at one or both of our Spring 2021 Rebuilding Days on Saturday, April 17 and Saturday, April 24. TOGETHER we transformed the back yard, installed a beautiful new door on the garage, prepped & painted the entire exterior of the house, and repaired & installed several broken windows. We really showed what a lot of hard work and a lot of heart can do for a home, and our homeowner is deeply grateful to us for what we accomplished.
In February 2021, the Community Service Ministry Team delivered about 150 paperbacks to the women’s chaplain at the Correctional Center for Women, part of the Elmwood county jail complex. The books will be placed in women’s dorms and in their library. Fiction, detective and historical novels, romance, self-help, and spiritual paperback books were donated by members of the congregation through our small groups: Community Service, Dream Group, the IT Team, and Wake Up & Knit. We are glad to be able to give the women who live at CCW new reading material during this especially closed-down time in jail. This effort was coordinated by a CSMT member who is a volunteer chaplain and teacher at the Elwood facility.
In 2020, the Community Service Ministry Team (CSMT) continued to be active while adhering to COVID-19 guidelines. The team carried out service projects benefitting the following community organizations:
Someone in one of Next Door Solutions‘ shelters contracted COVID-19, so the organization has had to move all their clients from that shelter to hotel/motel rooms to quarantine and to stay safe while the shelter is being sanitized. These are significant expenses.
UPDATE: In January 2021, the Community Service Ministry Team was happy to deliver warm hats and scarves handmade by members of the Wake Up & Knit group. Homeless young adult clients of Bill Wilson Drop-In Center received 15 hats,18 scarves, and 12 cowls (a surprise donation).
Are you currently homeless and sleeping in your vehicle? If so, you may qualify for Amigos de Guadalupe’s Safe Car Park Program. Amigos de Guadalupe strives to provide a safe place for individuals and families to park overnight, while connecting them to housing resources.
Hello Church Family!
Because of COVID-19, Next Door Solutions to Domestic Violence will not be able to hold their annual holiday party. For many years you’ve donated books for the kids in their program with great generosity. I’m sad we won’t be able to hold our book drive this year but there is still a way you can help, should you wish to.
This Christmas we are baking cookies for the women and children living in Next Door Solutions to Domestic Violence houses — 141 as of today. Due to Covid health restrictions, Next Door is not having their annual holiday party, nor are they distributing books or any other gifts this year. They are distributing gift cards only. Let’s give something personal to show the women and children they are loved.
Thank you from the 2020 Silicon Valley Safe Parking Ministry Team and guests to all those who volunteered to help make Safe Parking such a success over the last two months. We would like to acknowledge and thank the following people, some of whom volunteered multiple times and/or in more than one capacity: