The Sisters of the Simi Hills Ecclesia (Southern California) were able to deliver 40 Bags of Love/Care Packages to Interface Children and Family Services a few days before Christmas. Interface supports six different shelters in our county; some of the shelters are for survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking, and some are for youth who are experiencing homelessness or need a safe place to be for a time.

When the Garden Outreach Project was brought up at our monthly online Simi Sisters’ class, the response from the group was, “While we’re at it, let’s make 40 bags – we can all pitch in!” The donations from within the Ecclesia combined with the grant received from The Garden enabled us to give Interface six Bibles, two children’s Bibles, and adult coloring books and art supplies for the shelters in addition to 40 bags containing toiletry and personal care items. The project was a great way to get many of our ecclesial members involved, as there were lots of different roles to fill: buying items, assembling bags, making homemade items (scarves and therapy dough), and decorating postcards (even a few of our Sunday School members got involved with that!)

We are so thankful for The Garden Outreach Project! Thank you for giving us the motivation to begin this project, and resources to help see it through! It feels encouraging and unifying to know that we are just one Ecclesia of many participating in this project during the Winter of 2020.

Here is a photo from when we delivered the bags and other items to Interface. Rachel, the program manager for Interface’s family violence shelters, is pictured on the right. Rachel, Bro. Erik Sternad, and many others from the Interface team expressed much gratitude.

Thanks again!
Love in Christ,
Sis. Jessica Gelineau on behalf of the Simi Hills Sisters