SentFromEbove

Courage. Strength. Resilience. These are three words that come to mind when hearing Rhonda Morrison’s story. Rhonda is a recently divorced mother of three boys ages 16, 13 and 5. Like many others, her journey to Harbor Interfaith Services was not an easy one. But now that she has successfully graduated from our Accelerated Learning and Living program, she and her family need a few items to complete their newly established home. Bunk beds for her sons, a computer desk with a chair, curtains in the living rooms and bedrooms for privacy (contact for measurements), silverware and lastly a television.

My Story
Prior to entering Harbor Interfaith Services, Rhonda was a newlywed working to establish a future with her husband as a certified counselor. It wasn’t long before things went south. Her new husband became physically abusive towards her, eventually relapsing into a habit of drugs. After months of abuse Rhonda packed everything in a van and left with her sons. With little money earned with her waitress job, the family had to take residence at a small room in an Inn where the presences of drugs were evident. Despite having to raise her sons in a place where she had to escort them to and from the community showers, Rhonda was able to stay enrolled at Harbor College and maintain a 3.7 Grade Point Average. It was from here that Rhonda sought help at our shelter and eventually became a resident in our transitional housing program. Now she has a home of her own, has graduated from Harbor College with an A.A. and cites her biggest accomplishment as breaking completely free from her husband. Her future plans are to open a long term care/treatment program for women and children with backgrounds dealing with abuse and drug usage.

Amber Rentie is a single mother with a six year old daughter who recently enrolled into Harbor Interfaith Services' shelter program. Amber is currently working hard as a student at Long Beach Community College and needs a few things to get started in her apartment: 1) a couch 2) a bed (she currently shares a twin sized bed with her daughter) 3) extra blankets and sheets for a twin sized bed 4) silverware 5) women's clothing (pants size 16-18; shoes 8-8 1/2; medium shirts) 6) girl's clothing (pants size 6x; shirts size 6; shoes 12).

My Story
Before entering Harbor Interfaith Services, Amber and her daughter shared an apartment with her boyfriend. After he was laid off the family found it hard to make rent and eventually got evicted with Amber and her boyfriend going their separate ways. When Amber's next living situation resulted in conflicts with a new roommate, she was faced with the decision to leave and start anew again. Amber enrolled in Harbor Interfaith in December and is now pursuing a degree in Human Support Services. She hopes to eventually be able to work with at risk youth or disabled adults.

Maria Campos is a 41 year old separated mother of four children ages nine, eleven, fourteen and seventeen. Since leaving Harbor Interfaith, Maria has enrolled in school and was able to bring her two eldest children living in El Salvador to reside with her in San Pedro. Now in her new apartment Maria is in need of the following items: 1) 5 beds complete with frames and mattresses 2) A living room sofa 3) 6 chairs for the dining room table If you are interested in sending items directly to Maria, please contact Nicole Brown at 310-831-0603 or email: for her address. Thanks for your generosity!

My Story
Maria graduated from Harbor Interfaith Services on August 29, 2008. During her time there Maria followed all program rules, met regularly with her case manager, made her deposits on time and attended ESL courses. With the assistance of Harbor Interfaith Services, Maria completed a Section 8 application. Since then, Maria has signed her lease and was authorized to move into an apartment on April 16, 2009. A case manager checking in on her progress since leaving the program found that Maria and her family have continued to do well!

Live auction items are an important part of this annual fundraising event. We would appreciate the donation of any of the items on our wish list – they are essential to making some of our already donated items into great live auction items! Thank you for your support!

Wish List

- Time share/hotel stay in Napa Valley or Indianapolis, IN

-Wine tasting/tour in Napa

-Dinner at a restaurant in Napa, CA; Indianapolis, IN; Scottsdale, AZ; or Sun Valley, ID

-Airline miles to Hawaii or Indianapolis

-$1,000 Sponsorship of the band, floral arrangements, or wine

-Hotel points at major chains or rental car points

If you are interested in donating any of these items, please contact Brittany Swanson at (310) 831-0603 or send an email to .

My Story
Harbor Interfaith Services provides a licensed preschool, after-school program, and full-time summer daycare in order to help homeless parents concentrate on the goals that will lift them and their families out of the cycle of poverty. This year’s fundraising gala, Building on a Dream, will help to raise a portion of the $3 million needed to expand our facility to include a larger preschool and Family Resource Center, room for twice as many infants and toddlers, and an after school and summer day camp program with a renewed focus on academics and parental involvement. With our expanded facility, we will be better able to assist our community and provide for a large number of families in need.

Harbor Interfaith Services assisted Chermyra with a Section 8 application in the month of November 2008. Chermyra signed her lease on April 7, 2009 and had been authorized to move in on April 10, 2009. Upon meeting with Cherymyra in her new apartment, HIS case managers noted that she and her son were doing well. Chermyra continues to attend Harbor College taking her General Education courses with her overall goal to get into the Nursing Program.

Now in her new apartment, Chermyra is in need of the following items:

-Solid color living room furniture set (pref. black)

- Queen Sized bed

- Two clothes dressers

- Pots and Pans

- Coffee Table

- TV stand

- Four barstool chairs (pref. black)

- Throw rugs

-Cordless telephone

If you are interested in sending items directly to Chermyra, please contact Jana Jones at 310-831-0603 for her address. Thanks for your generosity!

My Story
Chermyra is a 23 year old single mother of a one year-old son. Chermyra lived with her grandmother in San Pedro all her life until age 20 when she was suddenly asked to leave the household. Chermyra then moved in with a friend in LA for 3 months; Chermyra then moved in with her child’s father in LA at his parents and stayed there until the summer of 2007 when she and her son moved in with a family friend in Gardena. Chermyra stayed with this friend until March 2008 when she moved back to her grandmother’s home. The living situation was not a healthy one for Chermyra and her son so she moved in with another friend in Wilmington in May 2008. Chermyra Davis entered into the Harbor Interfaith Emergency Family shelter program in September of 2008 with a goal of permanent housing, becoming a Registered Nurse and gaining employment. Chermyra had been attending Harbor College before entering Harbor Interfaith program. She has maintained class courses during her stay; she has followed all program rules, attended Case Management meetings, workshops and all required outings.

Letticia recently moved into her own apartment and is in need of furniture and other household items. Her wish list includes: - A white couch - Coffee table - Living room chair - Kitchen chairs - Crib - White full sheets - pots and pans - toys and clothes for her 9 month old son For larger items and/or furniture, please call Maya Uffenheimer prior to delivery at (310) 831-0603. Thank you for your generosity.

My Story
Letticia was one of 10 children raised by her grandmother. She left home at age 17 and was doing well on her own, until she found herself alone and four months pregnant. When her pregnancy became high-risk she was forced to stop working. She slept on friends' and families' couches and even in her van until her aunt told her about Harbor Interfaith. She entered Harbor Interfaith's Emergency Shelter program last spring, while in her third trimester but still managed to attend GED courses. Shortly after entering the program, Letticia had her baby boy, Vincent. Now Letticia and Vincent are living in their own apartment. Letticia is attending nursing classes and volunteering in the community while Vincent attends World Tot Preschool. They are doing very well, but still need a bit of help to make their house a home.

Rebecca would not let her housing setbacks hinder her; she still continued to work at her children’s school and go to school part-time. Additionally she found work at a graveyard to make extra money.

Through her hard work Rebecca was able to save enough money to get an apartment for her and her children. She is requesting a refrigerator because the refrigerator currently in the apartment does not work. She also needs a kitchen table with chairs; a coffee table; a large rug and rug runners, a twin bed for her youngest son, dressers, a microwave, shelves and storage bins.

For larger items and/or furniture, please call Jana Jones prior to delivery 310 831-0603. Thank you.

My Story
Rebecca Delgado is a divorced mother of three children – Angel age 16, Vanessa age 11 and Anthony age 9. After her divorce from her husband, Rebecca and her children had been living with her grandmother in Lomita. Sadly her grandmother past away and an uncle gave the Delgados three days to find another place to live. With no other options, the family was forced to live in their minivan. Rebecca was living in her van when she was finally accepted in the Harbor Interfaith Services’ Emergency Family Shelter.

With many homeless families headed by single mothers, Salvador stands out as a single father. He credits his resourceful single mother, who taught all of her children how to cook, clean and manage a household.

On November 1, the Fernandez family moved into a two-bedroom, two-bath house in San Pedro. He has said that this the most important move that he has made because he gets to keep his promise to his daughter that she will have a home for the holidays.

The Fernandezes Wishes Are Listed Below:

-Twin bed for his daughter

Queen bed “Frame” he has a mattress

Television

4 Bar Stools for his small kitchen (no room for a table)

Blankets

Sheets

Bath Towels

For larger items and/or furniture, please call Jana Jones prior to delivery at (310) 831-0603. Thank you for your generosity.

My Story
Last April, a series of bad breaks led Salvador Fernandez and his four-year-old daughter to the steps of Harbor Interfaith Services’ Emergency Family Shelter. Salvador enrolled his daughter Daniella in Harbor Interfaith Services’ childcare center, which gave him the time to find a full-time job at a local refinery. When she first started at the Mary L. Gimenez-Caulder Center, his daughter would not speak. Slowly, with support from the staff and other children, Daniella began to catch on quickly and now she knows her colors and numbers. Salvador so thankful for the childcare center’s help with his daughter that he has gone above and beyond the call of duty to give back. He can often be found emptying the trash, helping with maintenance needs and picking up debris around the building. He waves off compliments about all of his hard work, saying it’s the least he could do.

Ana and her girls have finally secured a place they can now call home. Ana supports the family with Cal Works grant and a part-time employment. Ana is unable to work full time due to her oldest daughter who needs constant care. Ana is especially happy that her daughter is finally able to get the medical attention she needs. She is also happy that the girls have a place were they feel safe and loved.

The family is appreciative of any donation they receive. Ana's wishes are as follows:

-Pink curtains for the girls room

-Blue curtains

Burgundy/wine colored curtains

-Patio table and chairs

-Rugs for each room (pink and blue tones)

-Beige, cream, or vanilla rug for living room

-Dresser

-Sofa and end tables

-Dish set

-Pots and pans

-Utensils, cutlery

-Blankets

My Story
Ana Maria Cortez is a single mother of three. Her eldest daughter has Cerebral Palsy and is unable to walk or communicate verbally. She can not sit up or eat without assistance, and needs the constant care of her mother. Despite the struggles, Ana Cortez has been taking good care of “her little angel” for the past seventeen years. Ana also has two other daughters ages 13 and 11, who do their best to take care of their elder sister. The four of them have endured many years of hardship and poverty. Prior to coming to Harbor Interfaith Ana Maria Cortez was a victim of domestic violence for sixteen years. When she decided to leave her husband to escape the physical, verbal, and sexual abuse in hopes of a better life for her and her children. The four of them fled by sneaking away in the middle of the night with the few possessions they could carry.

The Accelerated Learning and Living (A.L.L.) transitional housing and job development program of Harbor Interfaith Services offers 12 to 18- months of affordable, independent living. Families enrolled in the ALL program receive assistance with locating permanent housing and financial management techniques while they focus on accomplishing their educational and career goals.

Our Wishes are As Follows:

24 New Mops

24 New Brooms

24 boxes of Laundry detergent

24 Laundry baskets

24 13 gallon trashcans

My Story
Harbor Interfaith Services serves the homeless and working poor families in the South Bay area of Los Angeles. We were founded in 1975 by the Greater Peninsula San Pedro Council of Churches. We provide emergency shelter, food, job placement, advocacy, transitional housing, childcare and support services which include vouchers for transportation and rental assistance. The average age of the clients we serve is six years old. For more information please visit us at http://www.harborinterfaith.org.

Harbor Interfaith Services plans to distribute over 600 complete holiday meals during the 2008 Holiday Season. Your help with any of the following items will help us to make many families holiday a much brighter one.

Meat

-Pre-cooked or Frozen Turkey

-Ham

Trimmings

-Canned Vegetables (Green beans or Corn)

-Scallop or Mashed Potatoes (boxed)

-Stuffing or dressing mix

-Canned Fruit

-Cranberry Sauce

-Canned Yams or Sweet Potatoes

-Prepared Pies

Or Grocery Gift Cards

My Story
Harbor Interfaith Services’ Food Pantry serves more than 11,000 men, women and children each year. Thanks to the donations of caring members of the community, we are able to provide families with a nutritious three-day supply of groceries. For more information please visit http://www.harborinterfaith.org. Thank you.

Any assistance you provide will allow us to feed individuals, who would otherwise go hungry.

We distribute these food items throughout the year:

Chili Beans

Peanut Butter - In Plastic Jars

Jelly - In Plastic Jars

Family Size Containers of Oatmeal

Canned Beef Stew

Macaroni & Cheese

Spaghetti Noodles

Chicken Noodle Soup

Canned Tuna

Canned Fruits and Vegetables

ANY GROCERY GIFT CARDS

Hygiene Items Needed:

Toothpaste & Toothbrushes

Disposable Razors

Soap

Shampoo

Deodorant

Lotion

Diapers

My Story

At the Family Resource Center – Food Pantry we distribute a 3-day emergency supply of groceries to approximately 11,000 men, women and children every year.  In addition to food, we also distribute personal hygiene items to our clients. These are members of our community, usually families with small children and senior citizens, who are struggling to make ends meet.