Business and Community Leaders Unite to Kick-off HomeAid Orange County's First Essentials for Young LIves Drive
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From left: Theresa Murphy, Executive Director Precious Life Shelter accepts first donation of diapers from Sonia Lister, Essentials for Young Lives Chair at drive kick-off event hosted at John Laing Homes South Coast Division.
Photo credit – Robert Rooks
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IRVINE, Calif. (April 29, 2008) – Leaders from public and private; non-profit and corporate organizations united on Monday, April 28 to launch HomeAid Orange County's first Essentials for Young Lives drive, running from April 28 to May 1. In partnership with the Children and Families Commission of Orange County, the county-wide effort is to collect essential baby items to be donated to 15 Orange County non-profit organizations serving homeless mothers and their children in honor of Mother's Day.
The inaugural Essential for Young Lives kick-off was hosted at the Irvine office of John Laing Homes South Coast Division, where employees enthusiastically embraced HomeAid Orange County's new program. The South Coast Division, along with John Laing Homes Corporate and Laing Luxury Division employees started their drive early and displayed more than a thousand baby items they collected to address the immediate needs of homeless infants.
"Along with our employees' efforts, more than 50 companies and organizations are participating. They come from diverse industries; ranging from the building industry to the Village Inn Restaurant on Balboa Island and even Girl Scott Troop 556 who donated 60 handmade blankets," said Dave Prolo, John Laing Homes South Coast Division President.
Sonia Lister, Jackson, DeMarco, Tidus and Peckenpaugh Shareholder and Essentials for Young Lives Committee Chair shared why she readily volunteered to lead this new program, "Annually, in Orange County approximately 35,000 people experience homelessness. The fastest growing segment of this population is mothers and their children. Our intent for Essentials for Young Lives is to bring the community together to help supply these very essential items that for some are a sacrifice to obtain."
Theresa Murphy, Precious Life Shelter Executive Director attended the event representing the 15 benefiting non-profit organizations built in partnership with HomeAid Orange County that serve homeless families and children. Murphy said, "The items donated to Precious Life will allow us to keep our babies provided for throughout their time at the shelter. All the donations from this drive will allow our shelter and all the other benefiting organizations to save the funds we would normally spend on these "essential" items and to use those funds for other programs to help our clients lead productive and self-sufficient lives for themselves and their children."
Kelly Pijl, External Affairs Director for Children and Families Commission of Orange County presented a proclamation from the Orange County Board of Supervisors to Scott Larson, HomeAid Orange County Executive Director.
"The Commission is proud to support the Essentials for Young Lives drive because it complements the Commission's mission. We're bridging gaps to ensure the babies of homeless mothers have the essentials they need, so they are healthy and ready to learn by the time they enter school," said Pijl.
The drive officially began April 28 and will end on May 1. The community is invited to contribute. For a list of items needed and the public drop-off locations go to www.homeaidoc.org or www.occhildrenandfamilies.com.
Donated items for the "Essentials for Young Lives Drive" will be distributed to the following HomeAid service provider partners that assist families and children: Anaheim Interfaith Shelter; Casa Teresa; Families Forward; Fullerton Interfaith Emergency Service; H.I.S. House; Human Options; Interval House; Isaiah House – Catholic Worker; Laura's House; Mary's Shelter; Mercy House; Orange County Rescue Mission; Precious Life Shelter; Shelter for the Homeless; and Women's Transitional Living Center. All donations are tax deductable.
About HomeAid Orange County
HomeAid Orange County is the founding chapter of a national non-profit organization with the mission to build dignified housing where homeless families and individuals can rebuild their lives. Founded in 1989 by the Orange County Chapter of the Building Industry Association of Southern California, HomeAid acts as the housing developer and liaison between services providers, community volunteers, builders and specialty contractors. To date the organization has completed 40 developments with five projects in development that serve victims of domestic violence, pregnant homeless women, abused and abandoned children, homeless adults living with HIV/AIDS and homeless families. www.homeaidoc.org
About Children and Families Commission of Orange County
The Children and Families Commission of Orange County allocates funds from Proposition 10 that adds a 50-cent tax on tobacco products sold in California for education, health and child development programs for children from the prenatal stage to 5-years and their families. Programs supported include shelter projects and services for children and families because "children learn better when they have a home." For additional information visit: www.occhildrenandfamilies.com.
  
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