*Doing together what we cannot do alone | | |
Dear Friend,
This past week, we had something unprecedented in the history of the Bad Weather Shelter. During the massive storm the city asked if it was possible for us to keep the shelter open 24 hours for three days in a row. Laura, our amazing Director of the Bad Weather Shelter, on very short notice, put together the entire staffing plan and food plan and pulled off a pretty incredible feat. Not only were we open each night, but people could stay during the day and not be out in the pouring rain. And, offering grace and support, Trinity Lutheran Church (our shelter’s host) was fully on board.
| | Staff members helping at BWS during the storm. | | Bad Weather Shelter setup. | | While we are very proud of our work with the shelter, something even more special happened during these few days. The thing we pride ourselves on at Friends In Deed, as you all know, is the way in which we treat each person with compassion and dignity, making sure they feel seen and heard and know that we care. So we didn’t just have people eat and sleep and stay dry. Our staff screened a movie with popcorn; brought in games, cards, and art supplies; put music on to dance; and improvised a ping-pong table. There were also plenty of people around to talk, offer case management, and just be a listening ear. Our staff showed amazing poise and teamwork, and made Herculean efforts to make this happen. Thank you!! | | BWS staff members serving dinner. | | Jenny and Najwa facilitating a round of Bingo. | | Enjoy the Super Bowl (and/or the commercials) and Valentine’s Day, and get ready for FID Giving Day - all the details coming soon! | | |
Blessings and have a lovely weekend,
Rabbi Joshua
| | We can only operate with your help! | | | | |
We are excited to welcome Kahira to our team!
Kahira is an Occupational Therapy student at the University of Southern California. She started her internship with Friends In Deed in January 2024, where she works alongside the Street Outreach and Housing team....Read more.
| | | | A big thank you to The Gooden School's 4th graders for their wonderful help in organizing mixed produce boxes and stocking our Food Pantry!??? ...Read more. | | | | Putting pen to paper is only part of what happens during writing workshops in The Women’s Room. When the women share their work with each other, their words take on a whole new power. For a recent writing activity, participants drew random words from a grab-bag and used them to express thoughts about their lives, beliefs, aspirations, and challenges...Read more. | | |
Save the Date: Giving Day
We’re reaching high for Giving Day 2024 and hope you are ready to join us! Our goal this year is to secure 366 donors on Thursday, February 29th, representing each day of the 2024 calendar year. Save the date, and be ready to jump into action on February 29th!
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Warm Clothing Needed
BWS is in need of warm clothing for clients at the shelter. Donations are only accepted on weather-activated nights, from 6-7:30pm. Drop off at Trinity Lutheran Church (984 Locust Street, Pasadena, 91106). Please park in the lot on the east side of the building, and look for BWS security.
Members of the community can call 888-915-8111 at any time to find out if the shelter is activated.
| | | Friends In Deed is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion. We embrace and celebrate the spectrum of our employees’, volunteers’, and clients’ ages, color, ability or disability, ethnicity, family or marital status, gender identity or expression, language, national origin, physical and mental ability, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, veteran status, neurodiversity, and other characteristics that make our employees, volunteers, and clients unique. | | | | |
