Doors of Hope // how the impact of the 2011 workday continues to touch lives

When Barb Nannini, from Doors of Hope Women’s Shelter in 20 beds are ready to welcome women in needWilmington visited the women's Bible study groups at Oceanside Christian Fellowship in 2009, she shared the vision for a new shelter for single women who were falling through the cracks.  It was then that Cheryl O’Donnell felt a stirring in her heart to do something for the shelter.  The timing wasn’t right that year but she began to dream of a quilting project that would be birthed two years later.

During the 2011 Workday, Cheryl provided a place for those who wanted to participate in the Workday but not able to handle physical work. All the pieces began to fall into place, and the project was born. On that Saturday in May, over 30 people began a project that continued through several workdays.  Eventually, Cheryl and her team of faithful volunteers had sewn together 20 quilts for the shelter's 20 beds in time for the Grand Opening in September.  

Volunteers at the 2011 Workday In Cheryl’s own words:

“The name of the quilt pattern is Warm Embrace; we prayed together throughout the completion of the quilts for the women who would sleep under them.  A project like this blesses participants in so many ways. Reaching out and finding out more about local people in need, praying for those people, physically contributing, working in community, accomplishing something beautiful...all this and more under God's guidance.”

Doors of Hope Women’s Shelter ministers the love and grace of Jesus Christ to homeless women in the South Bay by providing a safe and nurturing environment where they can receive food, clothing, temporary shelter and spiritual encouragement in their present life circumstances.  Doors of Hope provides temporary shelter, daily meals and showers, clean clothing, counseling and spiritual guidance.  For more information, to volunteer or make a donation, contact 310-518-DOOR (3667). 

If you are interested in being involved in our upcoming 9th Annual Workday on April 28th, 2012, please use the buttons below:

      

sharefest workday quilting project - ROUND 2! Monday, June 6th!

The Monday Funday Sewday Workday is a go!

Join us at Oceanside Christian Fellowship (343 Coral Circle, El Segundo, CA 90245) on Monday, June 6. We will be continuing our Sharefest project, making quilts to welcome and comfort homeless women at Doors of Hope shelter.  We'll start at 10am, and go until we stop. 

The plan is to have a similar set up to our time together on May 14th, but on a smaller level.

Please bring your machines and cutting implements.

Also please bring your lunch, snacks, and beverages.  (Any treats to share are always appreciated!)

  

Workday Success: Da Vinci Schools

What a day! We planted. We weeded. We painted. We cleaned. We built. We cared.

What a Workday!

Last Saturday, thousands of eager volunteers completed hundreds of project activities at schools and in neighborhoods throughout the Los Angeles South Bay and Harbor areas. As we reflect on and survey the positive imprint of change left on our urban landscape, we are thankful for the spirit of collaboration that exists between us. Thank you!

At Da Vinci Schools in Hawthorne, Oceanside Christian Fellowship rallied volunteers to upgrade and install new features at the school. Watch this interview with Da Vinci's Principal, Steve Wallis, a Da Vinci school student, and a Workday volunteer as they all share how these projects will bring practical enrichment to the lives of students at Da Vinci.

If you did not get a chance to see the difference we made throughout Los Angeles County, take a moment to watch our slideshow.

A Unique Workday Project. Quilt Project.

Happy Mother's Day from Sharefest.

Today we would like to draw your attention not only to mothers but to women – in particular, homeless women and the women who care about homelessness. There is a unique Workday project that is taking place during our 8th Annual Workday on Saturday, May 14th. Doors of Hope Women's Shelter will be partnering together with Oceanside Christian Fellowship (OCF) to provide homeless women with temporary shelter, daily meals and showers, clean clothing, and counseling and spiritual guidance. Also, for the Workday Fabric Cafe and Joyce Sharifi will be overseeing the sewing of quilts at OCF for these women who need that special gift of tangible care and hope.

Sharefest is proud to have as part of its Workday such a creative collaboration between caring individuals and organizations to reach those in need in our communities. So today, as we celebrate the values and virtues of love, care and hope as embodied in mothers, let us not forget to extend and express such love, care and hope toward those neglected women in our communities.

Happy Mother's Day.

If you are interested in this project, click HERE for more details. To register to volunteer at this project or many others during our Workday on Saturday, 14th, click on the image below.

Looking to Make a Difference? Oceanside Christian Fellowship and Billy Mitchell Elementary

Eight more days. That's when thousands of volunteers are mobilized to numerous beautification projects throughout the South Bay and Harbor areas and beyond. Don't miss out on your opportunity to join us for our 8th Annual Workday on Saturday, May 14th. Here is one of the many projects that could use your caring energy.

Billy Mitchell Elementary School (Lawndale) needs our help. Our California schools, including Billy Mitchell Elementary, have been forced to cutback on a variety of basic needs due to the economic down turn in our state. Such unfortunate cutbacks have brought about reduced staff and maintenance hours, limited school supplies, and shortened library time. Principal Steve McCray remarks on how a partnership with Sharefest can make a difference in the lives of his students and the community:

Billy Mitchell Elementary School depends on the kindness of organizations such as Sharefest and others in our community to lend a hand in keeping our school operating at optimum level. Community volunteers not only provide an invaluable service to our school, children, staff and parents, but it beautifully illustrates to our students most of all, how important it is to make time to help others in tangible ways.

Oceanside Christian Fellowship, a long-time partner of Sharefest, is taking the lead by adopting this project – along with several other Workday projects. We are thankful for their tireless commitment to serving our communities!

Oceanside could use your help in freshening the look and spirit of Billy Mitchell Elementary School. The school is need of exterior painting, general landscaping, and murals. Here is your opportunity. Register for this project or one of our many others!