churches work side-by-side-by-side to make a difference at jane addams middle school

JAMS garden in need of clean-up and weedingHere at Sharefest, we are all about collaboration. We love to work together and help a community’s dreams come true, right before their eyes. On April 28th, as part of our  9th Annual Workday, three of our partners, King’s Harbor Church, Lawndale Christian Church and South Bay Church of God will be joining forces at Jane Addams Middle School (JAMS) to create an imprint of lasting change. Volunteers from all three churches will be giving the middle school a facelift, with much needed paint jobs, general weeding and clean-up, and updating student bathrooms. They will also be giving teachers a vibrant, updated teachers lounge by replacing old tables, new furniture and upholstery, installing window treatments, applying new paint to the walls, and new decorations.

Jane Addams Middle School is a 6-year old school in Lawndale home to approximately 940 students and 50 dedicated teachers and support staff with a mission to “achieve academic excellence and to inspire lifelong passion for learning.” Like many schools, it has experienced drastic budget cuts, but continues The JAMS teachers lounge, prior to our Workday.its commitment to high standards, increasing student achievement, and enhancing educational opportunities for its students.

We are highly looking forward to helping JAMS get the facelift it deserves, and are eager to see our church partners side-by-side working hard on our upcoming Annual Workday. We love to see organizations partnering with one another in new ways! There is still time to volunteer or donate towards our efforts this Annual Workday—please visit our Workday page for more information or to help us spread the word!

Cornerstone Construction Group and the Workday

Through the many partnerships Sharefest has forged, a significant amount of measurable and positive change has been put in place within the Los Angeles area. This change is not only skin-deep, beautifying the exterior appearance of structures and spaces, but it goes to the heart of the matter, and is deeply rooted in a commitment to increasing volunteerism and building relationships within the community.

Cornerstone Owner's Vic and Linda Braden with LA Mayor Villaraigosa in front of the Cheryl Green Community Center

Companies like Cornerstone Construction Group have played a huge role in turning Sharefest’s vision into well-executed projects. Providing a full range of general construction and design/build services, Cornerstone is built on a philosophy of integrity, quality, and a view of those who receive their services as “valued partners”. Over the years, Cornerstone has made it a part of their mission to invest in the continued development of Redondo Beach and surrounding areas by spending their spare time and resources to help the local community.

Restored Morrell House in Redondo Beach, CACornerstone has generously supported the South Bay and Harbor areas of Los Angeles with their consistent involvement in the Workdays. Initiated at Sharefest’s Annual Workday in 2004, Cornerstone, along with King's Harbor Church, dedicated each and every Saturday for two years to the restoration of the Morrell House, a local landmark of historical significance in Redondo Beach, CA. Their construction expertise contributed to an effort which positively highlights the cultural heritage of the area. In addition, Cornerstone collaborated with Sharefest and took the lead in the building of a custom home for the Ripatti-Pearce family on ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition in 2006.  Cornerstone also worked with Sharefest to complete the Cheryl Green Community Center – a project designed to bring about healing and hope to the people of Harbor Gateway after the violent death of 14 year old Cheryl Green by gang violence (read more about the project here, here, and here).

This year, Cornerstone has so graciously continued their support of Sharefest and the Annual Workday by getting involved with King’s Harbor Church, City on a Hill Church, Living Color Landscapes, and the LA Mayor's Office on projects at San Pedro High School. These include the installation of scoreboards purchased seven years ago for the baseball and softball fields (view project details), as well as creating a garden space that produces high quality organic vegetables for the students, their families and the community (view project details, and read more here and here).

In response to the scoreboard project, San Pedro's High School's Principal, Jeanette Stevens, voices her gratitude to Sharefest in how Sharefest and Cornerstone are effective in transforming her school:

Thank you so much for all you are doing for our school! We are greatly appreciative and I am personally SHOCKED at how much you are able to accomplish in such a short amount of time! Last week, I learned about the scoreboard project and we are ecstatic! It is hard to imagine that $21,000 worth of scoreboards have been sitting on the floor in a dark, back room on our campus for seven years, collecting dust! You somehow heard about this project, secured people, and with plans in place and people ready to move, we are ready to install!

Thank you, Cornerstone for your support and leadership!

These two highlighted projects and several others are looking for more volunteers to get involved with the activities taking place on Saturday, May 14th. Register now!

A Workday Project to Connect With: Boys & Girls Club of Harbor Gateway/Torrance

The 8th Annual Workday is right around the corner, and there are a number of projects still looking for volunteers. We invite you to share your time and energy with one of the community-building projects set up around the South Bay area of Los Angeles on Saturday, May 14th.   

The Boys & Girls Club of Harbor Gateway/Torrance is in need of some general clean-up and landscaping maintenance, as well as painting of the exterior of the building and ramp. This will not only improve the overall appearance of the facilities, but also provide safety to those who use the ramp to access the building.

King's Harbor Church once again has taken the lead on making this project (and numerous projects) happen. This project is an important milestone in the history of Sharefest and its Workdays. Two years ago, after the underserved community surrounding this Boys and Girls Club was torn apart by gang violence and a tragic event, Sharefest stepped in to build this facility to bring about healing and hope to the people of this neighborhood. For more about the story of community hope and transformation behind the project, read here, here, and here.

King's Harbor Church has been a critical component in the building and maintenance of this Workday site. But they could use your help on May 14th at The Boys & Girls Club of Harbor Gateway/Torrance.

Register today to get involved!