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Access Books

Access Books received a grant to provide author visits to schools. Author visits are a great way to help kids develop a love for reading and are often an event they will remember for years. Access Books shared this story with us from one of these visits. ” Perhaps the most important and impactful visit was Chris Harris at Anderson Elementary School in Compton. The beloved principal died over break. The school community decided to go ahead with the author visit a few days after the news broke to the school community. Chris is funny, engaging, charming and silly. He is just what everyone needed. Within minutes, students were giggling. Soon, even teachers were laughing. 350 students participated in the visit. They were thrilled when they each received two books to keep. On the way back to class, one student said, “I laughed so much I thought I would fall off my chair!” A teacher approached the Access Books staff member and said, “you have no idea what this meant. Our kids don’t get to meet authors and to have one that was so fun was just what everyone needed.”
 

Sages and Seekers

Sages & Seekers a grant to support their intergenerational program. They strives to combat social isolation and dissolve age-related segregation within our communities, while meeting the universal and compelling need of both young adults and elders to make sense of their lives. This is achieved by the simple art of conversation. Their three programs match up seniors (sages) with high school students (seekers) either in person or online via Zoom. Programs typically last 8 weeks and strive to increase empathy, reduce ageism, build relationship and communication skills and

help to define a sense of purpose.  

Recently a Sage passed away a couple months after completing the program. The family had heard so much about her Seeker that they reached out and she spoke at the Sage’s memorial. Her description at times surpassed what the family had known or understood about her and gave them a gift of deep reflection of who their relative had been and their relationship with one another.

Click here to learn more about Sages and Seekers

Kingdom Causes Bellflower

We love our Housing Support Group crew! 🏠💙
Twice a month, we create a safe and welcoming space for our friends who have bravely overcome homelessness. We share stories, laughter, and support one another.
And guess what? We need YOUR help to make these gatherings even more special! We believe that delicious food brings people closer, and that’s where you come in!
Consider buying or making dinner for our meetings! 🍽 It’s a small act of kindness that goes a long way in creating a warm and nourishing environment for our community.
Whether you’re a culinary genius or just starting out in the kitchen, your contribution matters! Don’t worry about fancy gourmet meals—anything from a home-cooked dish to takeout from your favorite local restaurant will be greatly appreciated. After all, it’s the love and thought behind it that truly counts!
If you’re interested in making a difference and bringing smiles to the faces of our incredible community members, drop a comment below or send us a DM. Together, we can create a ripple of compassion that transforms lives!
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Fringe Benefits Theatre

Lisa Jo Epstein–one of our CT4CT Master Class Presenters–just shared some great news: 📣📣📣 “I’m super excited to share that my article, ‘Democracy is in the Making: Just Act’s Model for Rehumanizing Community Engagement’ will be one of 16 chapters in ‘Democracy as Creative Practice: Weaving a Culture of Civic Life,’ edited by Tom Borrup and Andrew Zitcer, long-time champions and observers of community-based creative and cultural practices. Given that I have never written about the past 33 years of working as a social practice applied theatre artist and facilitator, I decided that I would post excerpts from my article as a kind of sneak peek, testing the waters so to speak for a blog. Here’s how Tom and Andrew describe my article in their abstract:
‘In this chapter, the author reflects on her journey leading Just Act, an applied theatre, arts and story-based catalyst for healing, change and activism to build a just world. Inherent in Just Act’s work is a critique of community engagement as traditionally practiced in urban planning and public policy. Community engagement, by emphasizing inclusion without belonging, without a commitment to social justice, views residents as beneficiaries rather than active leaders and deciders. By contrast, Just Act orients its work from an arts-and justice-informed paradigm. This chapter chronicles the author’s innovative work planning with community residents for the renovation of a youth and senior recreation center in Philadelphia, PA. Throughout, the chapter meditates on democracy as an evolving, embodied process, rather than an end goal.'”

Fallbrook Food Pantry

In the last two months, the San Diego Food Bank has sent two truckloads of dry, frozen and fresh food.
Yes, that’s how busy we are. We had increased the number of households we serve in order to provide a full balanced menu to the families in need.
Thank you @sdfoodbank !

Journey Out

SUCCESS STORY: Two years ago, Breyona* first walked through our doors at Journey Out. At the time, she was working through substance abuse and depression, in addition to her exploitation. Although she initially came to us for court ordered diversion programming, she continued attending group classes and receiving therapy long after her court date. After receiving assistance from case managers with her resume and making substantial progress emotionally and mentally, she relocated to reunite with her family in the Midwest. Since then, Breyona got certified as a nursing assistant and is now seeking a job in that field. She has been sober ever since leaving Journey Out and is so grateful for the assistance that she received from us. She said that Journey Out changed her life. Breyona is such an inspiration!
*Name has been changed to protect client confidentiality
 

The Eli Home

BREAKING THE CYCLE OF CHILD ABUSE

The foundation of Eli is built on hearts of service, from the board to the staff and its volunteers. Through the years, our focus has never wavered in sheltering abused children and working to prevent family violence. The journey has never been easy, but it has been joyful. Our board of directors, staff and volunteers have willing hearts, busy hands, and faith that rings louder than our fears.

Elevate Your G.A.M.E.

We had our first lunchtime pizza & conversation male mentoring meeting today at Reid High School in Long Beach.
The young men came in excited about what’s going to take place monthly on campus and shared a range of topics they wanted to discuss.

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