Experiencing Life the “Right Way”.
One thing that surprises people is just how much support it takes for a woman to get back on her feet after experiencing homelessness, addiction or abuse. But after so much trauma, it really does take a lot of time, lots of loving encouragement, and a wide variety of practical helps for them to get […]
The Power of Forgiving
One of the most moving stories in the Bible is the moment when Jesus is eating dinner at a Pharisee’s house. A woman — known by all to be a “sinner” — comes into the house, weeping. She washes Jesus’ feet with her tears, kisses his feet, and then anoints them with expensive perfume. The […]
Thankful for YOU this Thanksgiving!
For many of us, remembering Thanksgiving brings to mind some happy memories: family gathered around the table, eating until we’re stuffed, laughing and sharing stories with those we love most. Sometimes stress and busyness creep in, but for the most part, we enjoy the time together. But imagine not having a table. Or even a […]
Discipleship and Gratitude
“And you will overflow with thankfulness.” What a beautiful result of faithfully following Jesus! In our broken world, so many people wish for things that are hard to find and even harder to keep. They wish for material possessions. They wish for popularity. They wish for happiness. Sometimes they even grasp them for a time. […]
Pray with us during Domestic Violence Awareness Month!
In California, 4 out of 10 women will be abused at some point in their lifetime. That’s 4 out of 10 of our neighbors, our coworkers, our friends, our daughters. If you’re like me, you’re probably shocked by these numbers, but the truth is, even one woman suffering domestic violence is one woman too many. […]
A Path to Freedom for Abused Women and Children
You may remember Lynette*, one of the women who escaped domestic violence here at Shepherd’s Gate. Sexually abused from the time she was a little girl, physically and verbally abused all through her adult years — life had truly been an intense struggle to survive. Lynette thought she’d already seen the worst that men could do […]
Organizing your home? Make a Thrift Store Donation!
Do you have children who are heading back to school? Are you doing some fall organization in your home? Make room in your closets and cupboards by bringing last year’s gently-used clothes or household items to our Donation Center! Our Thrift Store serves the women and children in our community in a couple of very […]
Can God Interrupt You?
Life is busy . . . especially at this time of year! Doesn’t it feel like September is a train that just picks up speed all the way until January comes? I know that in my own life, sometimes it’s easy to get so focused on all of the things on my to-do list that […]
I had no idea . . . how homelessness effects an unborn child
As friends of Shepherd’s Gate, many of you know about the effects of homelessness on young children. From physical health, to mental and emotional development, to schooling — the odds are stacked quite high against these precious children. But something you might not know is that the impact of homelessness starts long before a child […]
Holiday Gift Drive Tips
At Christmas, we work to restore dignity for mothers here by setting up a room filled with gifts where they can “shop” for their children’s gifts. The gifts are simple — a coat, clothing, and a toy or two — but they make a tremendous difference for children who have had to get by with […]