March 2024

Written By Matthew McCarl
 
 
 

Let’s do this again!”

Dear Friends,

We recently hosted our first-ever Cultivate Comedy Hour! This event brought together a diverse group of community members—housed and unhoused, teachers, those staying at the Menlo Park Safe Rest Village, family, friends, and donors. Talented comics Julian Gray, Katie Nguyen, Don Gavitte, David Kildal, and Jaren George put on a wonderful show that filled the HOLLA school gymnasium with laughter and good times! 

It was our pleasure to host this event to show our gratitude to the community members and supporters who contribute to strengthening our community. With approximately 100 people in attendance, it was a treat to hear so many laughing together! Communities are built through participating in events like this, where you can meet people from different backgrounds and enjoy one another.

We thank those who donated their time and resources to make the event possible - HOLLA School, Green Bridge Coffee, and our volunteers! 

 

Volunteering

“Volunteering is the ultimate exercise in democracy. You vote in elections once a year, but when you volunteer, you vote every day about the kind of community you want to live in”. 
~Author Unknown

We have gratefully received support and kindness from volunteers from multiple churches in the local area that comprise the East County Ministry Alliance (ECMA). During Lent, the ECMA volunteered with us for multiple weeks, making 438 sandwiches and assembling 447 hygiene kits that include essential items such as:

  • Toothbrushes & toothpaste

  • Mouthwash

  • Wound kits

  • Antibiotic cream

  • Antiseptic wipes

  • Feminine hygiene products

  • Shampoo & conditioner

  • Body lotion

These useful packs will be distributed to our neighbors through our outreach team and our Workforce Hub. 

Thank you to all of the ECMA volunteers from Gethsemane, Resurrection, and St. Timothy Lutheran churches, and Covenant Presbyterian.

 

Our Favorite Time of the Year!

Mark your calendar and invite your neighbors! We are hosting our 2024 Eat & Greet on the evening of Friday, May 24th.

Open to all ages, Eat & Greets are fun events inviting housed and unhoused neighbors to come together for great free food, live music, games, laughs, and conversation; providing unique opportunities for complex areas such as 122nd and Burnside to build connections and community. 

We look forward to Friday, May 24th, to celebrate and enjoy our neighborhood!

Matthew McCarl
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February 2024