Inside the Opportunity Center: January 2007I've been volunteering at the OC since it opened in mid-September 2006 doing whatever needs doing. These quarterly emails will provide you with a glimpse inside the center and alert you to their most urgent needs, with pointers to the web for more info.The OC in a Nutshell: The OC has five distinct components: two drop-in service centers, a medical clinic, a Clothes Closet, and affordable housing. The Opportunity Services Center is a continuation and expansion of the old Urban Ministry Drop-In Center for individuals in a new location, while the Family Opportunity Center is a brand new program with services for at risk and homeless families. The Clothes Closet is an existing program with a new home in the OC. The Opportunity Medical Clinic, another new program, offers medical and mental healthcare for the residents and drop-in clients. The bulk of this new facility is the Opportunity Center affordable housing in the form of 89 apartments(70 studio apartments, 18 one to two BR apartments for families, and one manager's apartment.) Want to know more? Go to http://www.glgc.com/oc/about.html. Family Opportunity Center opens for business: This exciting new center opened in October under the direction of Kristin Chandler. Its mission is to provide services to low-income and homeless families in the area similar to those offered by the OSC, plus many family-specific ones. Learn more at: http://www.glgc.com/oc/family.html The Opportunity Center reaches 100% occupancy. As of December 27th, 2006, the affordable housing section of the OC is completely full with a waiting list of over 650 people with a one to three year wait for those at the top of the list. Holiday Toy Shoppe Update: This InnVision Urban Ministry program allows local low-income families to shop for free toys for their kids. HTS provided over 160 families the ability to select toys for over 400 kids this year. To read about the reaction of three families to the HTS, go to: http://www.glgc.com/oc/HTS/thanks.html More info on HTS can be found at http://www.glgc.com/oc/HTS/ Top Needs: new socks and underwear; personal hygiene items; non-wool, weather-resistant winter coats; men's jeans; thermal underwear; backpacks; These items can be dropped off at the OSC between 8am and 4pm, M-F(door to right). specifically for the Family OC: diapers, diaper wipes, and formula; healthy snacks for kids (non-perishable preferred); parenting books, healthy cooking books, and other books that help create an adult resource library; emergency non-perishable food supplies. Items for the Family OC can be dropped off between 10am and 6pm, M-F(door to the left(always locked; guard or receptionist will let you in). Volunteer Opportunities: help sort and organize donated clothes; help clients choose clothes; help with tasks at the OSC front desk; filing and organizing; tutoring, translation, ESL, cut people's hair(barber). Special projects specifically for the Family OC: organize library, hold special parties for the kids, teens, and/or parents. Those interested in volunteering for the OC should contact Trina Lovercheck at 650-853-7076 x205 or tlovercheck at innvision.org. For special projects at the Family OC, contact Kristin Chandler at 650-353-3707 ext. 204 or kchandler at innvision.org. See http://www.glgc.com/oc/needs.html for both needs and volunteer opportunities. See http://www.glgc.com/oc/ for a top-down look at all the info on-line. |