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Los Angeles-The Storehouse changes lives through donated goods
 | | A binder and a book—simple items, but items that can fuel dreams and deliver hope to youngsters from deprived inner-city neighborhoods. Alex attends Loren Miller Elementary, a school filled with children whose parents find it difficult, if not impossible, to buy the school supplies their children need for academic success. But thanks to the Kids in Need Resource Center, Alex’s teacher can supply him and his classmates with many tools needed to be successful learners. Alex, a third-grader last year, expressed his appreciation in a letter: |
Free school supplies from the Kids in Need Resource Center help students whose families find it difficult to afford valuable tools for learning. | |
Dear Friends,
Hello, my name is Alex…I am writing this letter to thank you for the things you gave me. …I used the binder so I could write this letter to you. I used the science book so I could learn about more things. The yearbook in science was the one I enjoyed the most because I am going to become the best scientist in the world. I really appreciate the things you gave me.
A dream is launched and hope is planted, thanks to donated school supplies and dedicated volunteers who make Kids in Need an answer to teachers’ and young children’s prayers.
The Kids in Need Resource Center operates under the umbrella of The Storehouse, allowing teachers in schools that serve low-income neighborhoods to “shop” regularly for supplies needed by their students and in their classrooms. Students like Alex and his classmates often
go to school without even pencils or paper because in some homes, decisions have to be made: school supplies or groceries. School supplies rarely win. Statistics show students who lack
resources lag behind their schoolmates. Teachers often try to narrow that gap by spending hundreds, and sometimes thousands of their own dollars to provide needed tools for learning.
A partnership between World Vision and the School, Home, and Office Supply Association (SHOPA) Foundation for Educational Excellence keeps the shelves filled with pens, pencils,
crayons, paper, binders, books, art supplies, and even learning games and toys that can be used as rewards or incentives. These items are making a difference each month in the lives of an average of 35,000 children in 61 area schools.
Partners Make it Happen
World Vision Los Angeles, through approximately 800 full- and part-time ministry and community partners, distributes life-enhancing items that not only meet needs, but also build self-esteem and provide tangible signs of hope to children and adults for whom life can be a constant struggle. These new, high-quality goods are donated to World Vision by dozens of local and national retailers and manufacturers. Vision L.A. distributes items to our partners, who then see that they get to those in need.
The Storehouse goods are used in all of World Vision’s ministries in the Los Angeles area, from Vision Youth to the Hispanic Initiative. The Storehouse builds bridges between churches and community organizations and provides a network of support for those who need help building a better life. In the past year, more than $7 million in donated goods was distributed to 72,574
families.
The Second Start program also has a home in The Storehouse, where it offers forklift training that so far this year has helped prepare 12 adults to find livable-wage jobs. The Clothing Outlet helps people looking for, or beginning new jobs by allowing them to build a wardrobe appropriate for the workplace.
The annual highlight of Second Start is the Where Success Begins fashion show, which brings women living in shelters together for a day of uplifting ministry. Lunch, a motivational speaker, fashion show, and free clothing and gifts allow Vision L.A. to offer spiritual as well as physical nurture. Models come from the shelters, and after two weeks of rehearsal, encouragement, and
pampering, these women––who are trying to change their lives for the better––come away with an important boost to their self-esteem. Approximately 67 shelters currently partner with The Storehouse.
Second Start programs bring success by providing a helping hand that’s offered with the kind of compassion that fosters a sense of dignity, which restores self-esteem and plants seeds of hope.
People like Michelle Noble sing the praises of Second Start. She comes from the Love Lifted Me Ministries shelter, and has been a part of the Where Success Begins fashion show for the past four years and for the past two years, she’s been a model.
“With my handicap, it is a great honor for me to know that you feel that I’m worthy to be part of such a great affair. I thank you for the outfits, but even without the outfits, just for being a part of this wonderful experience.”
How You Can Help
Michelle is just one example of how lives are touched through The Storehouse of Vision L.A. Although The Storehouse reaches many of the area’s needy and deserving people, it can reach more—but only with your help. The Storehouse volunteers have supplied 5,000 hours of loving labor already this year to deliver these life-enhancing gifts, but they can use some help. Financial support also is needed to maintain The Storehouse and to expand its reach to those who are hurting and need the healing touch of this ministry. Here’s what your support can do:
• $27,000 will buy a truck to transport life-enhancing gifts to The Storehouse and to other distribution sites.
• $10,000 will buy a forklift.
• $1,000 will finance the delivery of three shipments of donated goods to a community in need.
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| Vision Youth Help provide tutoring, life skills training, and a caring relationship to high-risk youth. | | ||
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| The Storehouse Provide school supplies, clothes, toys, household goods and building supplies for strengthening families,schools and neighborhoods. | | ||
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| Tools for Transformation Help provide the organizational, planning and leadership tools to transform a neighborhood. | | ||
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| Read about what is happening in The Storehouse program around the country by clicking on the location name below. |
