Inside the Opportunity Center: September 2007This is a short message that gives you an update on what is happening at the OC, critical needs, and volunteer opportunities. To learn more about the OC, go to http://www.glgc.com/oc/ My original intent was to send these out quarterly, but they go out as the need arises. There are three items in this message: Friday Night Dinners, Tutors Needed, and the Homelessness 101 seminar.FRIDAY NIGHT DINNERS: The mission of the Family Center is to provide case management, information, support, and referrals to low income and homeless families in the Palo Alto area. The center has a special relationship with the 18 families who live at the Opportunity Center, providing children's and adults' programs for the residents. One of these programs is the monthly Family Night Dinner, a monthly gathering of the OC's resident families for a meal together in the Family Center. Between 20-30 people attend, 60% being children. Sometimes there is a program in addition to dinner, often there is not. Our hope is that groups desiring a service project will consider hosting one of these monthly events. The dinners take place the last Friday of the month, 5-7pm. Dates available are: 9/28, 10/26, 12/28, 3/28, 4/25 and 5/30. This is an ideal service opportunity for a youth group, scout troop, or any other group looking for a way to help. If you are interested in learning more about hosting a FND, please let me know and I'll send you a detailed document about the event. TUTORS NEEDED: Another program is the After School Hours, 3-6pm Monday - Friday. During this time, kids can get help with their homework. The Family Center is looking for highly motivated and energetic volunteers with a genuine interest in tutoring school-aged children and youth during After School Hours. Typically volunteers help one afternoon a week. If you would like to learn more about how you can have a positive impact on the lives of the children living at the OC, please contact Jessica Mendiola, Youth Programs Coordinator at 650-853-8672 ext. 205 or jmendiola at innvision.org HOMELESSNESS 101: Help for the Homeless, Help for the Hungry - St. Mark's Episcopal Church is sponsoring an evening with Opportunity Center staff and other InnVision staff to learn about the resources available to homeless and at risk individuals and families in Palo Alto and Menlo Park and what you can do to help. Ask questions of a panel of experts and receive a copy of the recently updated six-page Survival Guide. It lists six places people can get groceries, 16 shelters for individuals, six shelters for victims of domestic violence, and nine general organizations, like the Opportunity Services Center, that can help singles and families fill their needs. This event will take place in the Parish Hall at St. Mark's, 600 Colorado Ave (between Middlefield and Cowper), September 24 from 6:30pm-8pm. To register or submit questions for the panel in advance, go to: http://www.glgc.com/h101.html Although registration is not required, it will help us in planning for refreshments, handouts and seating. If you have any questions or comments, please contact me. |