Archive for December, 2009

Christmas through the eyes of a child is always something special . . . the wonder of the Christmas story, the warmth of family, and the excitement of Christmas morning all take us back to a time when our own lives were a whole lot simpler.

But there’s something even more extraordinary about watching a child experience Christmas at Shepherd’s Gate. Before coming to our beautiful campuses in Brentwood and Livermore, most of the kids were used to receiving very little if anything for Christmas.

Many of these kids come from homes where abuse and addiction made survival a daily struggle. Some of the children are experiencing Christmas in a homeless shelter for the first time because their home was lost in a foreclosure.

Sometimes the children walk into Shepherd’s Gate like little adults . . . already world-weary and hardened because of the trauma they’ve experienced.

The good news is they don’t stay that way.

At Shepherd’s Gate, we see Christmas as a time where we can help these children be kids again. We can’t undo the hurts they’ve experienced, but we can give them a safe, secure environment. We can provide them with new clothes and a toy or two at Christmas. We can show them how much they’re loved — how much they matter to Jesus.

Take 11-year old Jordan, for instance. For him, Christmas at Shepherd’s Gate was the first time he and his siblings had all been together for more than a day or two in a row. A product of an abusive home, Jordan’s mother had started taking drugs when she was 11 years old, and her habit had torn the family apart until she came to Shepherd’s Gate and began turning things around.

I wish you could have seen Jordan’s face when his mother proudly brought out donated gifts she’d chosen and wrapped for each of her children. He almost looked confused, as if he couldn’t quite believe these gifts were for him. The way Jordan smiled at his mom as he opened his gifts — well, I can tell you what her favorite Christmas gift was.

Jordan and his brothers and sisters even heard the real Christmas story for the first time. He said it was the best Christmas he’s ever had! Imagine…his best Christmas ever, spent at a shelter.

This Christmas, as you give your own children the gifts you’ve carefully chosen and wrapped, I hope you’ll think of the children here at Shepherd’s Gate and pray for them — that the love of Jesus will begin to warm and heal their broken hearts, and that these little ones will get a new start along with their mothers.

He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love.

Joy to the world. The Lord is come.
~George F. Handel

What’s your favorite Christmas memory as a child? If you’ve ever spent Christmas here at Shepherd’s Gate as a volunteer or as a resident, what do you remember most?

Steve McRee
Executive Director, Shepherd’s Gate

Christmas is a pretty special time around here.

Each year, we set aside a room just for moms where they can “shop” for their children’s Christmas presents. They’re able to choose a few toys for each child, along with slippers, pajamas, socks and underwear, a jacket, and other clothing items. All of the items are donated to Shepherd’s Gate by generous people and organizations in our community.

Talia was one of those mothers who shopped in our Gift Room last year. Separated from her children because of an addiction she developed during her own horrible childhood, she finally had her children with her for Christmas at Shepherd’s Gate.

It was an amazing moment, watching her hand each of her children their Christmas gifts — that she picked out. Their eyes lit up with surprise that Christmas was for them, too. Everything was quiet for a second, until the first child began ripping into the paper… and then the excitement really began!

And in Talia’s eyes, there was something new — dignity and hope. Restoring self-respect is so important in the lives of people who are in domestic violence and drug recovery programs, and it’s a joy to watch it happen.

The family was together, safe and warm, and heard the real Christmas story for the first time. Now, that’s a Christmas!

Every year, we watch this special exchange — kids receiving, and moms being able to give — and our hearts get so full. I don’t think we’ll ever quite get used to this kind of Christmas joy.

We are so grateful for everyone who makes it possible for us to love people with God’s love at Christmastime. Thank you for your generosity, your donations of toys and clothing to women and children at Shepherd’s Gate, and of course, your faithful prayers. You really do make it a Merry Christmas around here.

Have you ever experienced an out-of-the-ordinary moment that helped you appreciate the real meaning of Christmas in a new way? We’d love to hear your stories in the comments section below.

Jen Harp
Director of Marketing, Shepherd’s Gate

Creative commons photo credit: phil_g

When you picture a homeless person, what do you see?

If you’re like many people, the first image that pops into your head is probably an older man holding a cardboard sign at a busy intersection.

But though there are many homeless men struggling to survive out on the streets, the face of homelessness has changed drastically in recent years — and it includes more families with children than ever before.

Families with children are one of the fastest growing segments of the homeless population. In fact, 41% of homeless people are families — that’s almost half! The National Coalition for the Homeless reports that, of every 200 children in America, 3 are currently homeless and more than 6 are at immediate risk of becoming homeless.

Their precarious living situation — always on the run — is devastating for kids, especially where education is concerned. According to the Institute for Children and Poverty, homeless children are 9 times more likely to repeat a grade, 4 times more likely to drop out of school, and 3 times more likely to be placed in special education than children who have a stable residence.

The need for shelter for homeless families is far outstripping the number of facilities equipped to help them, but Shepherd’s Gate is standing in the gap, providing a safe, warm, stable home to as many homeless children as possible, while also helping their mothers get back on their feet again as they heal from abuse and addiction.

When you picture a homeless child, what do you see? I hope you see what I do: a young life that’s extremely precious to God, a life that needs our love and protection to grow up healthy and happy.

It’s easier to help a homeless child than you might think. From volunteering in our Childcare Center, to tutoring, to donating a Christmas gift or two, there are all kinds of ways to help homeless families. Even a simple donation to Shepherd’s Gate can have a huge impact.

Talk to your kids, and ask them to share their ideas for how to help homeless kids this Christmas — their creativity and generosity will surprise you. Please share your family’s ideas in the comments section below!

May God bless you and your family this Christmas!

Steve McRee
Executive Director, Shepherd’s Gate

Creative commons photo credit: Atlanta Childrens Shelter

Each month, we want to share stories about women here at Shepherd’s Gate who, by the grace of God, are turning their lives around for good. Thanks to your prayers and support, women and their children get a brand new start — and we want to keep you posted on how they’re doing!

December’s Woman of Courage is Kristin. She is the oldest of five kids, and though she was raised in a broken, alcoholic home, she worked hard in school, earned great grades, graduated, and dreamed of college.
Becoming a mom at the age of 20 to twins changed her plans, though, and after leaving her abusive partner, she found herself alone and heartbroken, trying to provide for herself and her young family.

She worked hard at her job and she was able to remain strong — at least, it appeared that way. But she grew overwhelmed trying to raise the twins on her own, and as time went on she fell victim to the same cycle of substance abuse and turned to the same thing that had “helped” her own mother cope with pain: alcohol.

One drink became two and two became four, and she soon had several drinks just to get through the day. Soon her seven-year-old twins were looking at Kristin the way she used to look at her own mother. “Mom, when are you going to stop?”

Kristin knew she wanted to give her kids a different life than the one she grew up in, and so she decided to get help. Researching recovery programs led her to Shepherd’s Gate, and though it was really humbling for her to accept help and come to a shelter, she knew it was the right choice for not only herself, but also for her children’s future.

Kristin was deeply touched by the warm welcome she received from staff members at Brentwood — they believed she could change things.

Through the Recovery Classes, Parenting Classes, and Bible studies at Shepherd’s Gate, Kristin has left her addiction behind and is now able to be the kind of mother she always wanted to be to her twin son and daughter. We’re so proud of Kristin for having the strength to seek help when she needed it — and for giving her children a different childhood than the one she had.

Thank you for all your prayers and generosity on behalf of Kristin and her two wonderful kids!

We’d love to hear from you and pray for you, too. What impresses you about Kristin’s experience? What would you say to another woman who found herself in her same position? What Bible verses encourage you when you struggle? Please let us know.

Remember, Kristin found Shepherd’s Gate online. Encouraging words from friends like you could help the next “Kristin” who is looking to change her life. And please keep an eye out for next month’s Woman of Courage!

Carla McRee
Associate Director, Shepherd’s Gate

Brentwood and Livermore campuses need your help to restock the pantry!

Thanksgiving at Shepherd’s Gate was a wonderful time of thanking God and blessing others. During the holidays, over 80 women and children were served a warm meal of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie because of the generosity of so many big-hearted donors and volunteers. People who otherwise wouldn’t have had a safe, loving place to eat Thanksgiving Dinner were welcomed at Shepherd’s Gate with open arms.

It takes a lot of food and resources to feed that many people and our pantry is very low.

At Brentwood, our most urgent needs right now are:

• Fresh Fruits & Vegetables
• Frozen Meats (Chicken, Beef, Ground Beef, Pork)
• Milk
• Condiments
• Healthy Snacks
• Juice
• Mayonnaise
• Meat
• Sugar & Splenda
• Aluminum Foil
• Dishwasher Soap
• Paper Towels
• Ziploc Bags & 13-gallon black trash bags

The Livermore Campus currently needs these items most:

• Fresh Fruits & Vegetables
• Frozen Meats (Chicken, Beef, Ground Beef, Pork)
• Milk
• Bread
• Healthy Cereal
• Spaghetti Sauce
• Canned Fruits and Vegetables
• Paper Towels
• Cranberry Juice
• Paper Towels & Napkins
• Sponges

The next time you’re grocery shopping for your family, I hope you’ll add a few items from our “shopping list” to your shopping list. The families here at Shepherd’s Gate are blessed by your care for them.

If your church group or family has donated to our pantry, what was that experience like for them? What was memorable for you? We’d love to hear your suggestions on how to get families and church groups involved with filling our pantry.

Please leave your story in the comments section and don’t forget to pray for homeless women and children in our area. Thank you and God bless.

Jen Harp
Director of Marketing, Shepherd’s Gate

Creative commons photo credit: phil_g