Why Not Help Saint Andrew’s Support Worthwhile Community Programs? By JOHN RODRIGUES, Outreach Chair In an effort to inform our Saint Andrew’s congregation about the community outreach programs supported by Saint Andrew’s, this is one in a series of articles aimed at providing information about the various programs. Also included is information regarding the types of volunteer activities available in these programs that we at Saint Andrew’s could participate in as a congregation. In the very near future, we will ask you to tell us which programs you favor, and any other programs of which you are knowledgeable and would like to champion. Families Forward Families Forward is a 15-year-old organization that provides a number of support services for families in the Irvine area. In 1998, Saint Andrew’s contributed a total of $1,165 to Families Forward, part of the receipts of the garage sales and the Pennies from Heaven auction. The Families Forward programs are provided in essentially four support services.
Transitional
Housing Program. This
program provides homeless families with a safe, clean home while they receive the
necessary guidance and resources to make a long-term impact on the circumstances that led
to their crisis. At this time, Families Forward has 12 homes, 10 condominiums, and two
"Farm Homes" that they maintain for the homeless. The average stay for a family
is approximately eight months and the program supports approximately 25 families per year.
Families Forward is currently attempting to obtain 14 more homes from the Tustin Marine
base at closure.
REACH Life Skills
Series. These are
free workshops to help community families identify and address areas in their financial
and personal life. Topics include parenting, time and stress management, shopping smart
and job searching. There are also series on budgeting, credit issues and shopping wisely.
These workshops are usually held on Thursday evenings at the San Joaquin Middle School on
Michelson Dr.
Food Assistance
Program. Families can receive groceries by
appointment to help stretch their income. This program distributes food twice a week, on
Tuesdays and Thursdays, and requires the recipient to plan in advance and to learn to
prepare a shopping list. Families are permitted to receive groceries up to six times in a
year, with the average being four times per year. In the past year, Families Forward
supported 203 separate families through this program. According to Margie Wakeham, the
executive director of Families Forward, the summer months are particularly difficult as
the inventory begins to run thin.
Emergency
Assistance. Limited
financial assistance is available to help prevent eviction or utility shut-off. In order
to receive this assistance, the family must have small children. Families Forward has
assisted 40 families with this program in the past four months.
In
addition to these programs, Families Forward has a number of projects for youth groups.
There are 17 in all, and they cover such things as baby kits, baking kits, cleaning kits,
emergency kits, entertainment bags, Family Night, holiday decorations, laundry kits,
paper-items kits, party boxes, personal-care–items kits, school kits, summer kits,
toolkits, and welcome baskets.
Families Forward at this time is in need of a group of volunteers to assist in reorganizing their food pantry and the three garages that are used for stowing furniture and the like. It is estimated that any one of these projects would require one day to complete, depending of course on the number of volunteers. If anyone is interested in participating in these areas, please contact John Rodrigues at 714.731.0913.
Habitat for Humanity Habitat for Humanity of Orange County uses donated land, designs and builds the homes, and screens, selects and supports the future homeowners. Sponsoring organizations and individuals underwrite approximately 75% of the total cost of constructing a Habitat home by paying a sponsorship fee. Sponsors can provide 25–30 volunteers on each day of construction. Habitat raises the balance of the construction costs, purchases the materials, and leads the volunteers through the construction process. Upon satisfactory completion of "sweat equity" requirements and homeownership training, the new homeowners assume a 20-to-30-year no-interest mortgage.Since 1990, Habitat for Humanity of Orange County has completed the construction of 75 homes. In 1992, three townhouse units were completed in Santa Ana, two townhouse units were completed in Anaheim, and 48 condominiums were competed in Rancho Santa Margarita. In 1993 the first phase of three planned projects were completed in Brea (four condominiums). The second phase was a five-condominium project with three units completed in 1995 and two units completed in 1996. The third phase was a single family home completed in 1997. In 1998, there have been the completion of 12 new homes. Currently there are two more new homes under construction in Westpark in Irvine, with construction to start April 1 and completion scheduled for the end of October.
In 1998, Saint Andrew’s contributed $1,597 towards Habitat for Humanity of Orange County from proceeds from the Outreach budget and the Alternative Christmas Market.
he volunteer opportunities are numerous and varied. In short, we can participate at a local Habitat worksite and help build the homes. We can become a Covenant Church Partner in which we agree to support Habitat with prayer, volunteer, and financial support on renewable yearly commitment. We may agree to host a monthly volunteer organization meeting, open to the community at large. We may again host an Alternative Gift of Hope Christmas Market. We may sponsor and individual house, or partner with other churches, and participate in the "Adopt-A-House" program. Or we may participate in the International Day of Prayer and Action on the third Sunday in September.Habitat for Humanity of Orange County is at this time in need of volunteers to assist in the construction of the two new homes on Tortuga Street. This is one-half block north of the corner of Warner and Paseo Westpark. Unfortunately, we have missed an opportunity to attend a luncheon at the site, hosted by Irvine Presbyterian Church and Mariners South Coast Church, but we still have an opportunity to volunteer as a group. Please contact John Rodrigues if you are interested in being the contact person for Saint Andrew’s and Habitat for Humanity.