December 14th, 2021 | Volume 1 | Issue 3 |
|
Dear Friends,
Here we are at this special winter holiday season. This is the time of year where we pause to focus on the people we love and the blessings we are grateful for. This newsletter is dedicated to those we cherish and celebrate. Not only will you read about our progress, but you will hear from staff, volunteers, and Living Room participants.
In addition, I have the pleasure of announcing that we have finally found a new site that we are working on purchasing! 1335 N. Dutton will be the new building for our new center, The Living Room Life Center.
We will be opening in late February and our grand opening will be March 10, 2022. We are all thrilled, and busy working on the building to get it ready for a whole host of services to be announced next month.
Thank you to everyone who has helped us make it this far. Our hearts are full of gratitude!
|
|
|
Success stories from our residents! |
|
|
|
Congratulations are in order for The Living Room resident Olga for her hard work and dedication to achieving her goal of obtaining a housing voucher and permanent housing for herself and family!
It has been a journey for Olga to finally realize her dream of self-sufficiency and independence. She definitely deserves a standing ovation for her efforts.
We truly applaud you Olga and will continue to support you as you embark on this new adventure.
|
|
Introducing our newest member of The Living Room team! |
|
 |
Bobbi Barnett
Volunteer Coordinator
|
|
|
|
I was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA and have been working with Volunteer programs for several years in a variety of organizations from churches, to clinics and schools. I also have a Master’s Degree in Counseling and a Doctorate in Theology! (I love school and learning.) I have a history of counseling and life coaching and love helping others discover their area of giftedness and then plug them in where they can best use those skills.
I relocated to the Bay Area and then landed in Windsor about 24 years ago. I am blessed to have three young adult sons who are amazing, and in January I will gain a daughter-in-law!
I am so happy to be joining the wonderful staff at the Living Room. I have been graciously welcomed by these talented individuals and have met a few of our current volunteers. I am looking forward to meeting more of you as the days go by, as we move forward into an exciting future together continuing to meet the needs of women and children in Sonoma County.
|
|
|
|
The Secret Hope Kitchen
Bringing hope to others through food.
|
The Secret Hope Kitchen is currently providing meals to off-site encampments, our residences, senior and youth sites, and insecurely housed families throughout Santa Rosa. |
We are serving between
100 and 200 meals daily.
Weekly 500-1,000 meals.
Monthly 2,000-4,300 meals.
|
|
|
|
|
"Home Cooked" by The Living Room |
|
Our Pantry Program has gotten a whole new look and name! "Home Cooked" by The Living Room brings cooking education to your home.
Learn - how to cook a nutritious meal, keep your food safe, and make your food last.
Cook - a delicious, healthy, well balanced meal using the tips and techniques provided.
Thrive - with the knowledge and practice in cooking that you obtain while providing a "Home Cooked" meal for you and your family.
|
|
Updates from our outreach team |
|
|
|
As we continue to grow our outreach network we have been able to keep supplying other outreach teams in Santa Rosa and Sonoma County with approximately 300 to 400 hygiene kits, snack packs, waters, and warm clothing for the winter months.
Our hygiene and snack items that are donated are put together by our volunteers and school classes looking to support The Living Room.
In our hygiene packs, we include masks, sanitizer, toothbrush/ toothpaste, soap, shampoo, razor, and more.
Our snack packs include 1,000 calories consisting of salts, sugar, carbs, and a protein.
The last few months we have been blessed with warm winter wear and have given out jackets, hats, gloves, socks, blankets, and sleeping bags.
|
Want to help out our outreach? You can use the link below to purchase items from our Amazon Wish List that will be used for outreach in Santa Rosa. |
|
|
Administrative Office:
Hours: 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
328 South E Street
Santa Rosa, CA 95404
|
|
|
|
Residences by The Living Room:
Hours: 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
1207 Cleveland Ave
Santa Rosa, CA 95401
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Living Room Life Center is coming to Santa Rosa in Spring 2022!
Our new center will have many services for women and children in our community. If you would like to be a part of this critically needed day services center, we need your help in the following areas:
Mentors
Receptionists
Lived experiences peer counseling
Job readiness
Health professionals
If you have a skill set in these areas please submit an application below.
|
|
Outcomes from our services and programs. |
|
|
|
Number from Oct. 1 - Dec. 1 2021.
6,525 Meals
12 Women reside in our houses
10 Children included
We are preparing four women to get into permanent housing. We are also preparing for three families to enter our transitional housing program as well as one independent youth.
We have created strong partnerships with three other human service providers.
|
|
Meet the newest addition to our Board of Directors. |
|
Rob Cantu
President of Western Builders
|
|
We are so excited and honored to have our latest addition to The Living Room Board, Mr. Robert Cantu. His experience in our community as a dynamic leader, innovator and all-around good human led him to The Living Room. His commitment to community is reflected by his long history of board service for The American Cancer Society and the American Heart Association, community events and a host of other community organizations.
He has supported the West County Youth Football and Cheer Board and has coached Little League. Public Service remains a priority to Rob as seen with his support of the Santa Rosa Police Officer Association and his achievements merited his ranking in North Bay Business Journal’s Top 40 under 40. Currently Rob remains a strong community and business presence in Sonoma County and he can be found periodically sneak attacking The Living Room staff with yummy treats to brighten their day on any given morning!
|
|
Memories that touched our hearts! |
|
"The first time we went on outreach as a team we found a couple living in their car in Santa Rosa. They have been married for 35 years and homeless for most of them. One of the women had recently been released from the hospital with 11 staples in her stomach. After giving them everything we could, we gave them our word that we would do anything in our power to help. When we returned, we explained that agencies were reaching out to help them find housing. One of the women broke down in tears and hugged me saying it means the world that we came back and looked for them. She said just the idea of her wife having a roof over her head while she heals, is the best feeling she’s had in years."
-Hannah (Outreach Assistant)
|
"One time during deliveries the person I handed a meal, thanked me and said these meals have saving her life. It really touched my heart to hear that in person. I have a real appreciation for the work we do here at The Living Room."
-Aaron (Food Services Assistant)
|
"A long time donor came to bless us with some items and I was able to tell her the new direction and programs The Living Room is headed towards. After talking with her for a good 30- minutes she kept saying every time she comes back we are doing more to help those in need. It was an amazing experience."
-Thomas (Director of
Supportive Services)
|
"I recently received a hand written letter from one of our “Home Cooked” participants. The letter spoke to who she is as a person and how she survives from day to day. She went on to explain how our program impacts her life and expressed the joy it brings her. It brought me to tears and was a great affirmation that what we are doing makes a difference for the people that need it the most."
-Trevor Boosinger (Food Services Manager)
|
|
"My introduction to The Living Room was from a woman I met right after the Tubbs Fire who was working at a local shelter I was making donation deliveries to. We struck up a friendship, would meet for coffee and discuss the local organizations that helped women and children particularly. She told me about The Living Room and how she found herself in need of a safe place to go during the day as she was living in her car for a couple of years in Santa Rosa and up the coast. She said because of the services TLR provided, it helped her connect with services such as Social Security benefits, housing help and fellowship. From there she was able to get permanent housing and landed a job helping other women like herself navigate through their struggles, develop tools, find resources and fellowship and build a life for themselves. She inspires me to this day, I will never forget her."
-Alethea (Director of Programs)
|
"I have only been on staff for less than a week, however I have already been amazed by the giving nature of the volunteers in our community. A class from Sonoma Academy graciously put together 600 snack packs for our outreach team to pass out as they visit with the homeless and underserved in Santa Rosa. What a gift these students and their teacher have been to our efforts to impact the lives we serve."
-Bobbi (Volunteer Coordinator)
|
"I have a particular fondness for one of our dedicated, veteran volunteers, Shana Woodfield. Shana comes to the Living Room every Monday and Wednesday to help with whatever we have for her. Anything from shredding, filing, organizing drawers, labeling storage boxes, and of course Wednesdays at the campus, laundering, folding and packaging cookies. She shepherds lunches between the two campuses and I look forward to sitting down with her for lunch on Mondays and Wednesdays and we share life experiences and common interests. She is a delight and a devoted TLR supporter and I am blessed to call her my friend."
-Robyn (Accountant)
|
|
"One of our residents who is currently in the butterfly phase of our housing cycle, gave me a homemade card with her sons handprint of a turkey for thanksgiving. This family has been busy making major strides in the program (including: securing childcare, volunteering, continuing sobriety of over 2 years, role modeling positive behaviors for her son, and getting a section 8 voucher) and with all that has still continued to show appreciation for our staff. This resident has experienced a tough road, but continues to choose positivity."
-Annie (Housing Manager)
|
"I had the privilege of working alongside one of our interns this fall, from SSU. Lindsay had such drive to do anything and everything to help get each task done and always with a smile on her face. She is such a kind and caring person and helped out in many areas of our operation. I appreciate you Lindsay!"
-Marti Lynn (Marketing & Social Media Coordinator)
|
"I am recalling a very recent memory that has developed over the last couple of months
since my time here at The Living Room. I have been working with one of our residents for a
little over two months. She is a force to be reckoned with. Her passion for justice and what is right causes me to take a pause and think how I can harness that very same passion about the same. I have had the pleasure
of watching her grow in many ways; obtaining stable long-term employment with benefits,
a voucher and housing, be a patient and loving mother to her children, develop a "I am never giving-up spirit" that we can all admire. She never ceases
to amaze me. She is resilient, strong and brave. Being able to serve the women in our program is an absolute honor and a privilege. I love being a part of The Living Room and its mission to provide stable housing for homeless women and children."
-Tatia (Housing Care Coordinator)
|
|
|
|
Sonoma Academy students led by teacher Amber Greer, have graciously volunteered since September 28th to package hygiene supplies into plastic bags for our outreach workers. The packs contain items such as travel size shampoo and conditioner, Q-tips, socks, deodorant, toothbrushes, etc. The hard work of this group produced 600 hygiene packs for those we serve who find themselves living on the street! Ms. Greer plans to continue volunteering with another class next semester! We can’t thank them enough for all they did to meet the needs of the community. |
|
Do you want to volunteer? |
|
Volunteers are the backbone of our organization. The service provided by our volunteer teams are critical to the daily operation of The Living Room, and we’re always looking for more to join us!
What Can I Help With?
Based on our operations, here are our current volunteer needs listed below:
Kitchen Team
Each morning The Living Room provides up to 175 hot meals a day to our residents and to partner organizations for distribution. Kitchen volunteers work in coordination with our Food Services Manager to prepare these delicious nourishing meals.
Garden Team
The Living Room’s campus is largely highlighted by our beautiful garden. Garden volunteers would work in coordination with our Facilities Manager for weekly upkeep, maintenance, and other miscellaneous projects.
Maintenance and Repair Team
Our resident living spaces could use the help of some handy volunteers! Maintenance volunteers would work in coordination with our Facilities Manager for occasional repair and carpentry work.
Special Service Projects
If you specialize in a particular field, you may be able to share service and/or expert knowledge with our participants. Whether it’s direct service, classes, or consultation, we’d love to hear your ideas!
How Do I Become A Volunteer?
All potential volunteers begin the process by submitting a Volunteer Application (linked below). At The Living Room, we are committed to providing a safe and secure space for everyone, and all potential volunteers are subject to an interview process and background check. Once approved, volunteers can join us on campus, where the fun begins!
|
|
|
Bring your leadership to the table and help lead The Living Room into its future with your time, talents, and treasures. We are looking for individuals in a variety of career fields.
If you are interested in learning more and being a part of our board of directors please contact our Executive Director, Cindy Pasko, at 707-978-4801.
|
|
Are you retired and not sure what to do with your time during retired life? Are you a student who needs volunteer hours or has extra time on their hands? Why not volunteer?
We welcome all who are willing and want to help with our daily operations. If you are interested please feel out the volunteer application by clicking the link below and our volunteer coordinator, Bobbi Barnett will reach out to you.
|
|
Want to help in another way? |
|
Please consider an annual, monthly, or one time monetary donation. Thank you! |
|
The mission of The Living Room is to ease adversity, promote stability, and support self-reliance for women and children who are experiencing homelessness, or at-risk of homelessness, in Sonoma County. |
|
Administration Office Hours
Monday – Friday 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM
|
|
Follow us on social media! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
