Resident Activities

On December 9th, Yolanda, Resident Supervisor of the Languille Emergency Shelter, led the Good Shepherd Center resident choir in a lovely Christmas concert for the employees and board members of Good Shepherd.  Accompanists included a piano player and a guitar player who were also residents of Good Shepherd.  The performance was so moving, there was hardly a dry eye in the crowd.

North Park Middle School Bank and the Music Club of Good Shepherd Center hosted their second Annual Fall Concert on Friday, November 18th. Six children at Good Shepherd Center have been receiving peer instruction under the supervision of Ron Wakefield, the band leader at North Park Middle School over the past two years. They have had the opportunity to march in the Disney Land Parade and perform for a variety of audiences such as hospitals, veterans centers and senior centers.

Grant Thornton employees hosted a Halloween party for the women and children of Good Shepherd Center on Friday, October 28th. Games, raffle prizes, pizza, and of course candy, were in abundant supply! Friendly ghosts and goblins attended the party. The evening concluded with a generous donation to the center.  

On August 29, 2011, residents of Good Shepherd Center were the recipients of backpacks, pencils, juice packs, protractors and other supplies which were donated by our neighboring merchants. Their generosity enabled our students to return to school with all the supplies they needed for that special first day.

Every year, Nancy T., one of GSC's many volunteers, donates her time and energies to organize a drive to collect back to school supplies for the children.  Please contact Annemarie Howse, our development coordinator, at 213-482-1834 X 117  if you would like to make a contribution. This year they have been adequately provided for with backpacks, school supplies, and snacks. They are still in need of shoes, especially tennis shoes in all sizes (new) or gift cards to Payless or Target..

Sister Giant, a visionary group whose goal is to end hunger, has been volunteering their time at Good Shepherd Center to assist the families in planting a sustainable garden. One of the teenagers at the Angel Guardian Home has taken a particular interest in gardening and is seen here with an earthworm, evidence of good fertile soil. The garden is located next to the Angel Guardian Home.

Although the strawberry season has passed, we still have green beans, summer squash, tomatoes, green peppers and cantaloupe.

On June 12, 2010, Dr. Cheryl Saban, psychologist, philanthropist and author of What is Your Self Worth: A Woman’s Guide to Validation, stood before a group of 40 women residing at Good Shepherd Center. From the depth of her soul, she shared her personal experiences and how they were instrumental in determining how she viewed herself as a woman of worth.  Her report of the struggles she experienced as a single mother bridged the gap between these homeless women and Dr. Saban.  She assured them that it is personal validation rather than circumstances that determine your worth.

 

The women were given the opportunity to ask questions. One woman asked “how do you maintain that ideal of high self worth when your culture tells you that as a woman you are a second class citizen?”  Dr. Saban took the time to answer each question with careful thought, practical application and words of encouragement.

 

Each woman who attended was given a copy of her book, affirmation cards and a gift card. The women continue to view Dr. Saban as their mentor.  One resident shared that she has the affirmation cards posted in her office as well as in her bedroom so she is reminded at all times of the day that she is a Woman of Worth.