Week 1: St John's Shelter for Women and Children

Happy New Year!!!

I have been hearing a lot this week about people's resolutions for 2012.  Some want to lose weight or kick bad habits.  How about picking up a good habit for 2012 - volunteer! 

Well, Sunday marked the first day of the new year and the first week of my journey.

The first of 52 non-profits that I will be volunteering at over the next year, is St. John's Shelter for Women and Children.  They are located here in Sacramento, CA.  I am excited for the opportunity to learn more about this organization and help them to support our local homeless women and children.  I will let you know how it goes. 

If you are interested in volunteering opportunities with St John's, they hold volunteer orientation the 1st and 3rd Saturday of every month at 10 am.  All you need to do is show up. 

History of the Organization:
St. John’s Shelter was established in 1985 by St. John’s Lutheran Church to provide emergency shelter for homeless women with children. In 1988, St. John’s Shelter became a public charity, and incorporated as a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. The Shelter moved out of the church fellowship hall and joined the Loaves and Fishes complex. At Loaves and Fishes, the Shelter was able to provide space for 40 women and children for up to 30 days, with the clients having to leave the shelter during day time hours.
In 2004, St. John’s moved to a larger facility and is now able to provide daily 24-hour comprehensive services to homeless women and children for up to 90 days. Services include mental health counseling, drug and alcohol recovery programs, employment services, housing services, parenting classes, financial management classes and self-development classes. At its new location, St. John’s has implemented a Children’s Program to specifically address the effects of homelessness on children. The Children’s Program offers and after-school program, as well as targeted, one-on-one tutoring services to every child. The Program ensures that every school age child is placed in school and that he or she has an individualized learning program to assist them in their schooling.

Stay tuned for more updates...