| YMCA of Orange County Uses HomeAid's Essentials for Young Lives Drive to Educate Youth About Homelessness
More than 3000 youth in YMCA after school programs will participate in a drive to benefit homeless mothers and their children.
IRVINE, Calif. (April 21, 2009) — More than 3000 youth from the YMCA of Orange County after school programs will conduct Essentials for Young Lives Drives to benefit 16 non-profit organizations that serve homeless families and their children. The YMCA of Orange County is joining HomeAid Orange County in partnership with the Children and Families Commission of Orange County to launch the second annual Essentials for Young Lives Drive on April 27-30, 2009. During the drive dates, the YMCA is inviting the public to drop off donations of diapers, baby wipes and baby hygiene products at any of their afterschool child care centers and local YMCA facility branches. To see a complete list go to http://www.ymcaoc.org/pdf/child_care/dropoff-loc-apr09.pdf
"The YMCA of Orange County is privileged and honored to join forces with HomeAid in support of homeless families rebuilding their lives. We build strong kids, strong families and strong communities through mission-driven and value-based programs that foster healthy spirit, mind and body. Caring is one of our core values and I can think of no better way for us to fulfill our mission than to provide for the basic needs of young mothers and babies in crisis," said Jeff McBride, President and CEO, YMCA of Orange County.
Launched for the first time in Orange County in 2008 HomeAid's Essentials for Young Lives is a community-wide effort to collect much needed items for homeless infants and toddlers. HomeAid partners with businesses, community organizations and individuals to collect baby products such as diapers, baby wipes, and baby hygiene products. The items are then delivered to HomeAid's service provider partners who provide services to homeless mothers and their children.
The need is great and recipient organizations greatly value the support. "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," said Theresa Murphy, Precious Life Shelter Executive Director.
The 2008 Essentials for Young Lives Drive provided 15 non-profit agencies with nearly 118,000 essential baby items. The goal now is to increase participation and donations to provide a six month supply of these essential items.
"We are thrilled to have the young people of the YMCA participating in Essentials for Young Lives. Our hope is that through this service project they will learn about homelessness and how their volunteer efforts can make a difference in a homeless child's life," said Essentials for Young Lives Committee Chair, Sonia Lister of Jackson, Demarco, Tidus and Peckenpaugh.
To sign up to conduct an Essential for Young Lives Drive in your company, club, school or church or to become a public drop-off site email Carolyn Baker at carolyn@homeaidoc.org or call 949.553.9510.
About HomeAid Orange County
HomeAid Orange County is the founding chapter of a national non-profit organization with the mission to build and maintain dignified housing where homeless families and individuals can rebuild their lives. Founded in1989 by the Orange County Chapter of the Building Industry Association of Southern California, HomeAid acts as the housing developer and liaison between service providers, community volunteers, builders and specialty contractors. To date the organization has completed 44 housing developments 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.
About YMCA of Orange County
The YMCA of Orange County brings a sense of belonging to the community and promotes strong basic values and feelings of high self-worth that are critical for people of all ages. The YMCA commitment to meeting community needs is continually demonstrated in programs ranging from child care, after-school enrichment, youth leadership and development, and mentoring and tutoring to youth and adult sports, fitness, camping, and family support activities. The YMCA has been offering services to the residents of Orange County since the 1880's. Today the YMCA of Orange County has operates eight branches, serves 85,000 residents of Orange County annually, is the largest provider of licensed school-age child care in the county and has program offerings in 100+ locations spanning the county. www.ymcaoc.org
  
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