NEWS:

-IT’S OFFICIAL!! WE GOT IT!!  I have the signed agreement in my hand for a $7,500 Grant from The Home Depot to provide our amazing new Teaching Kitchen and Upgraded Room!!!!! (Is that enough exclamation points for you?)  They not only provide all the materials, but the labor!  It’s actually closer to $15,000 when you include the cost of labor and incidentals.  It’s been coming for so long, but I’ve remained cautious in making announcements because I just wanted to be sure.  Well, it’s a done deal now!  The check is supposed to be in my hand within 10 days!  Actual installation will be June 19-21.  Here’s what’s got to happen between now and then.  Let me know what YOU would like to do to bring about our Kitchen Miracle:

• Before then we’ve got to get the “behind the walls” stuff done (electrical, plumbing, new header).  So…if you are a handy man/woman and can help with the pre-work, we’ll have two work days on Saturday, June 2 and/or June 9.  Still waiting to hear back from our contractor about the specifics.
• We’ve got to get all the permits and inspections…this will be on the prayer list!  Our contractor, Sonny Scott is on it.
• We need to feed crews!  Both of the Saturdays (if we need two) and all three days June 19-21.  We need to provide both breakfast and lunch.
• We need hands to help with cleaning out closets, moving furniture, getting ready – we’re already starting on that this week.
• We need hands to help us “move in” to the kitchen when it’s finished and to put everything back together the week of June 25-28.

If you can help, drop me or Shawna an email and get in on the FUN!  HUGE thanks goes to Sarah Steele for ALL her work to make this happen.  Next time you see her, give her your best hug!

-We had a great break through day today in SFI.  The lunch time was just chatter, chatter, chatter.  They are engaging more and it was just a wonderful atmosphere.  We’re half way through the 1^st quarter!

-Had a fascinating week on the Interview Committee for the Police Dept.  It made for a very long week, but it was a good week and I think much will come from it.

-Tomorrow several of the patients at the Harbor Villa Convalescent Hospital are coming to Mother’s Club for a very special party.  The ladies have been working on it for two weeks and are excited to be serving.  We’ll take some great pictures and put them on the website.

-Thanks to those of you that have contacted Shawna about helping with the Summer SFI Kids program.  We can use many more…..

PRAYER REQUESTS:

-Our deep gratitude to God for such a great blessing in the new kitchen.

-For workers and details to come together to pull it off on such short notice.

-For smooth sailing through the permit and inspection process

-For opportunities to spread the word of what God is doing at MSH to all the people that will be around here in the next month!

-For our SFI women and their continued progress.

-For new hands and faces to connect with our SFI kids in the summer program.

What a day!  I’m exhausted, but exhilarated…sometimes I think that’s becoming my permanent status!  I’m so grateful for your consistent support and prayers.  God is Good and so are YOU!

Blessings,

Becky

NEWS:

-GREAT class today!  We’re making some delivery adjustments and I think we’re all getting a bit more comfortable together.  Still have some issues with understanding, but we’re more and more convinced it’s some literacy issues.  We’ll see where that takes us…  BUT, the energy in the class is growing and I think maybe another week or two will get us over this hump. Next week we’ll already be half way through the 1^st quarter!

-Had a very helpful MIF workshop about social media on Weds. LOTS of work to do here – the first thing is to move beyond my dinosaur reputation!  AND a great meeting with our MIF Consultant, Rick Olson, about the Fundraising Dinner for next December 7-8.  I think we’re well on our way and his advice was timely and specific.   My priority right now is getting the Dinner Committee together and recruiting table hosts – already have 9 only 29 to go!! Interested? You know how to find me!  Also, I have a chairman for the Christmas Boutique that will be part of this fundraising week-end, too. Know any crafters that want to sell their wares and share with a great cause?  Want to be a part of that piece of the week-end? Contact Kris Barnett: keobarnett@gmail.com.

-Anybody interested in making lunch for the SFI class on Mondays?  Need a light lunch (soup & salad, entre salad, sandwiches, light casserole, etc.)for 12 at 11:30 a.m.  We’re happy to reimburse you for your costs!  Get an email to Shawna asap: shawna@mysafeharbor.org.

-I’m spending the rest of this week representing the Chief’s advisory board in the interview process for officer candidates.  If you need something, check with Shawna or send me an email.  Probably won’t have my phone on, but I’ll check it a breaks and get back to you asap.

PRAYER REQUESTS:

-Please continue to pray for our SFI moms.  So many needs and yet so much hope.

-Thank God for MIF and Rick Olson – we are fortunate to have their input and skill available to us.

-It’s not too early to pray for the Fundraising Week-end: Dec 7-8.

-For opportunities to meet more of the right people while I’m serving on this community committee this week.

Time is flying by and opportunities are presenting themselves every day.  Thank you for believing in us and for partnering with us to change lives in the name of Jesus.

Blessings,

Becky

NEWS:

-Had another great SFI session.  This group is going to be a very different challenge than the first cohort.  These ladies tend to be less “literate” and it makes it challenging to not only communicate effectively, but to measure what they are retaining.  Don’t get me wrong, they are VERY sharp and motivated.  We just have to make some delivery adjustments and get used to each other.  Hallelujah for Rosaura!!  She is such a great help!

-The place was jumping today with a FULL group in the new crocheting elective, but here’s the COOL part:  it was facilitated by one of our SFI grads!!  WooHoo!

-Took Shawna out to lunch to celebrate “Administrative Assistant Week” – she’s is that and SO MUCH more!!  Just wanted  her to know how appreciated she is and how integral to all that we do.  If you see her, tell her so, too!

-Been doing some major work on the Fund Raiser Dinner for December.  I have finished the MIF “manual” for this project and learned a great deal.  Part of what I learned is that we already have much of that process down!  That’s the good news!  But, we’ve got our work cut out for us in filling tables and finding hosts.  I’m working on the outline of a Event Committee and hope to have that pulled together early in June.  Actually, I’m pretty encouraged.  It’s like anything else new, it seems overwhelming until you break it down into manageable chunks.  We can do this!    Reminds me of an old Negro Spiritual:  “I ain’t no ways tired, God didn’t bring me this far, just to leave me.”  I can not say I’m not tired…but I can say I am confident God did NOT bring us this far just to leave us.  I hope you’re encouraged by that…AND that you’ll start racking your brain right now for how you can be involved!  Start by marking Dec 7-8 on your calendar!!!

-Have another MIF workshop tomorrow and an appointment with Rick Olson on Thursday.  What a blessing to have their help!  And I’ll be out of the office T-Th next week doing a special assignment for the Anaheim PD.  The Chief has asked me to represent the Chief’s Advisory Board at the oral exam interview process for all those seeking advancement to Sergeant and Lieutenant.  Really didn’t need another thing, but the committee doing this is going to be filled with some very key community people and I’ll get quite a bit of time with them.  I’m hoping it will be a wonderful networking and conversation opportunity.

PRAYER REQUESTS:

-For our SFI cohort.  Wonderful women, LOTS of children, challenges in adjusting to the routine.

-For Shawna and so many of the people who daily make a difference for us

-For the work on the Fund Raiser.  There’s so much to do and learn – it’s not too early to actually start praying for the event itself!

-For MIF and our growing partnership with them

-For opportunities to meet – and connect – with the right people next week.

So grateful for all of you and your commitment to support and pray for MSH!  The speed at which things are happening is breathtaking!

Blessings,

Becky

NEWS:

-Well, it looks like our cohort is settling in at 12.  One never showed up and the other is just not ready yet.   So…now we do everything we can to keep all 12!!!!  Translation is really a crucial part of this group.  Not nearly as many proficient English speakers, so Rosaura is more important than ever!  Time just flies by and we barely get finished.  It was funny at lunch today…everyone is so quiet.  Can’t wait for that magic moment when we finally break through and have to shout them down to get them back to class!

-Received our MIF Fundraising Dinner Manual today.  How’s that for a subtle intro into our first big Fundraising Event?!  We have scheduled a dinner theater fundraiser for the week-end of December 7-9.  Still very much in the preliminary stages, but wanted to get it on your calendar.  It’s not too early to pray about who YOU could invite!

-Had a wonderful Board meeting last Monday.  We are so blessed to have folks who care so deeply about what we do.  Their encouragement and wisdom are key to our success thus far.  It’s always a great time to both share the realities of the work and to dream about the future.

-You’ve gotta come visit!  The place is just teeming with moms and kids Monday through Friday!  Every morning from about 9 til about 11 there is something going on and the smiling faces and busy hands are an inspiration!  The Understanding Bullying and Cake Decorating electives last week were PACKED!  The child care room was jumping!  It’s just so exhilarating.  By the end of the first quarter, we have already served more women and children than in the ENTIRE year of 2011!!!!  No wonder we’re tired!  It’s everything we’ve dreamed for and more.  If you’d like to be more involved on a regular basis, let us know!  There’s always plenty to do!

PRAYER REQUESTS:

-For the new cohort.  Lots of trust needs to be built and an understanding of our routine and expectations.  These are critical days – we need to start well.

-For our fundraising strategy – I have much to learn and there is MUCH to do to great ready for our first big event.

-For MIF and all they do to help us figure out how to keep moving forward.

-For our Board of Directors…and that God will bring us more.

-For the amazing success of our programs thus far and the MANY lives that are being touched.

-For others to catch the vision and join the work.

What a blessing to serve the Lord and Anaheim families together!  Thank you!

Becky

NEWS:

-We started the new SFI cohort this morning…we had 14 signed up, one didn’t show up, but we’re hoping it was a communication glitch.  Great group – lots of conversation – the time  FLEW by.  So..we’re off and running!  FUUUUUULLLLLLL child care room.  Anyone free on an occasional Monday from 10-1:30 to offer some help?  Maria is amazing, but this group has three BABIES!  Thanks to Shawna, we made it through today, but we need an extra volunteer every week…interested?  Let Shawna know asap…. shawna@mysafeharbor.org

-We got a check today from the Anaheim Community Foundation for $2,500…WooHoo!  We also got word that the D.E.V.O.T.E. check for $2,000 should be coming soon.  Another WooHoo!  We’ve got to get 10 times that much before the end of the year, but who’s counting?

-Have a MSH Board Meeting this afternoon…in just a few minutes, actually.  Lots of important decisions and discussions will take place as we keep moving forward – what a great group!

-Electives are back in full swing this week – tomorrow starts the elective on Bullying and Thursday starts the Cake Decorating elective.

-We’re starting to move on the kitchen project.  Got word from the contractor today about opening up that wall.  We’re going to need some capable, able bodied volunteers to help with this part of the project, so as soon as I know more details, I’ll send them your way.

PRAYER REQUESTS:

-Start praying now for our SFI women:  Lilia, Alicia, Norma, Guadalupe 1 and 2, Maria 1 and 2, Anny, Karolin, Evangelina, Rosie, Claudia, Paola, Andrea.  14 women, 51 children…

-For more volunteers for SFi child care

-For money!

-For effective electives

-For the kitchen remodel project

-For God’s leading and courage for the Board today

-HUGE thanksgiving for all that God is doing at MSH – it’s literally been a breath taking day!

For the mothers in our community,

Becky

Recently Rick Olson, our consultant from Mission Increase Foundation, made on on-site visit.  We had a chance to talk about several things and his encouragement is already making a difference for me.  He challenged me to dream about the next three years and then share that with you all…MSH’s most trusted friends.  I want to lay something out for you think and pray about.

I believe it’s time to take things to “the next level” – especially in staff and funds.  Every step of this journey God has been faithful.  We have yet to run into a brick wall.  Door after door has opened and every time we’ve come to “what do we do next?” there has been a clear answer and a sure way.  It has been amazing!   We are at another one of those “what do we do next?” places and I want you to specifically join me in praying for the answer.   I’m not looking for a particular answer from any of you, I just want to  get this on your radar and particularly on your prayer list….daily…for the rest of April.  That’s 22 days starting today.  So here goes….

Many of you have been involved with MSH since it was just a dream.  We have made SO much progress in just the 27 months that we have been officially “operating.”  I could give you a long list of the stats here, but most of you know them because you are so plugged in to what we’re doing.  Here’s the good news:

-We have all three areas of our program up and running…and thriving!  We’re surpassing all previous numbers (and consistency!) in both Mother’s Clubs and Electives.

-We graduated our first SFI cohort and we’re starting our second cohort NEXT MONDAY!

-We’re getting close to the kitchen remodel…hopefully finished by mid June!

-We’ve grown our collaborative partners from 4 to 15!

-The curriculum is finished.

To have accomplished so much in such a short amount of time is a testimony to God’s blessing on us and the many who have given so much to make it happen.

Here’s the challenge:

-By design, most of my time has been spent on launching programs.  We needed them to be going so that we could make the case for support.  They are up and running, but the more successful they are, the more managing they need.

-For the long term sustainability of MSH, we need someone who can be devoted to stabilizing and growing those programs:  recruiting (both participants and volunteers), facilitating, “tweaking”, improving, dreaming, providing leadership and management.  But also for the long term sustainability of MSH, we need someone who can be devoted to finding collaborative partners, champions for the vision and funds for our fiscal sustainability.

-I can only do one…well.

-We don’t really need to have a big staff and much overhead – we are blessed with a great facility – rent free, volunteers that do SOOOO much of the work and collaborative partners that have helped with everything from furniture to the computer lab.  BUT…we do have to have some staff and some resources to ensure that we can accomplish our mission well and be good stewards of what God has brought our way.

-Last year 80% of our funding came from four sources.  The remaining funding came from only 12 regular donors, small tuition payments from SFI and two special designated gifts.

Here’s what I want you to specifically pray about:  finding an additional $75,000 each year for the next three years.  I don’t know how…but God does.  It could mean a large capacity building grant, several smaller grants, several new donors…any combination of those.  With that we can:

-Fund a Program Manager to run and grow our three specific programs

-Fund an increase in our staff assistant from 12 hours a week to 24.

-Fund an increase in children’s programs…more moms means more kids!

-Fund an increase in SFI support so we can add facilitators/cohorts

-Fund a counseling intern program for specific support of our moms and their families.

This is not a plan…it’s just a dream right now.  Will you dream and pray with me?  I have no doubt that God can supply all our needs.  The fun part is seeing how He makes it happen!

Thanks so much for your partnership,

Becky

NEWS:

-Well…today was a classic example of the challenges of getting this cohort enrolled.  4 appointments set for this morning, translator here and ready to go…none of them came!  BUT…thanks to Rosaura Navejas, 3 did come this afternoon and finished their paperwork/deposits and the 4^th is scheduled for Thursday!  AND…if everyone who has their paperwork out gets it back to me this week, we’ll have a cohort of 12 ready to start on Monday, April 16!!!! WOO HOO!!!!!

-Filed our required Outcomes Report on line with the Lester Foundation this morning.  It was fun to be able to answer all their questions and send along some great stats, stories and pictures.  Now, we’re going to go after a second bigger award from them this year and hope we made such a great case in our Report that they can’t say no!

-The First Aid Enrichment Elective was a HUGE hit – week 2 was wonderful!

-Our Wednesday morning Mother’s Club has finished training and has made a commitment to go down to the Harbor Villa Convalescent Hospital (just a few doors down) to volunteer once a month.  They are excited and it’s a great opportunity for them to give back, make a plan, work the plan and build a team.  Hurray Shawna, nice work!

-Things are moving along for the HD/Carter Kitchen remodel.  We expect a “go” date any day now.  Still really need an electrician and a plumber…can you help us spread that word?!

-It’s QUIET around here this week – programs are off for Spring Break.  Hopefully, I’ll get a BOATLOAD of work done.

PRAYER REQUESTS:

-For a complete group for the next SFI cohort.  The women that have come through are going to make it a wonderful cohort.  We can start praying for them and their families right now.

-For a winsome and persuasive exchange with the Lester Family Foundation.  We really need them to partner with us again – and step it up a notch!

-For our Spring Electives schedule-so many new women are finding us and now we need to find a way to keep them and move them along in the program

-For our Weds. MC – volunteering at the hospital is a HUGE step for them.  They will be blessed and they will be a blessing!

-For final word on the kitchen – we need to get moving on it asap.

-For a good break for Shawna and Maria.  They need refreshment and new energy for the spring stretch.   We are so fortunate to have them!

I hope you are all preparing for Easter Sunday and a day of Celebration!  We serve a Risen Savior and what a difference He makes in our lives!

Blessings,

Becky

Good morning!  Still basking in the glow of an amazing Graduation week…what a blessing it has been.  Here’s the latest:

NEWS:

-Graduation was so wonderful.  Lots of smiles, a few tears…of joy…, and a really happy day.  The best part for me was knowing how many of them want to stay connected – several said to me that day, “What do you need done now?  I want to stay involved.”     Just so cool….  And you KNOW we’ll have a plan to use them!

-Had a wonderful meeting with Rick Olson of MIF on Thursday.  It was an onsite visit and a chance to give him a peek at our work and our vision.  I’m looking forward to growing that relationship and the great wisdom and advice that are available to us through them.

-We had a record 22 moms at our Home First Aid Elective that started on Thursday.  It was a very informative and engaging class and I know the moms that came were thrilled with it.  Thanks to Arlene Bumgarner for the nursing connection – it was a great start for an important subject.

-The spring quarter Enrichment Classes are scheduled and ready to go:  Signs of Bullying, Cake Decorating, Nutrition, Knitting and a Special Craft class are all in the works.  Nice job, Shawna.

-Starting to get a complex about the new SFI cohort – lost two girls this morning….they’re just not ready.  And…we’re struggling to get the rest to finish paperwork and turn things in.  BUT, I am encouraged and we really think we can get this next group going in April.

-Remember to check out the website  www.mysafeharbor.org and encourage your friends to check in out, too.

PRAYER REQUESTS:

-Thanks for such a great Graduation experience and for ALL the people that helped make it happen:  Mentors, Cookie Crew, Board of Directors, Fernando Soto, Rick Terry…and SHAWNA!

-Thanks for Rick Olson and MIF and God’s blessing on our relationship

-Thanks for great Electives and FULL classes – and that God will fill the Spring quarter with just the right moms

-For SFI recruiting.  We need to fill the cohort, but we need to fill it with the RIGHT moms.  We need God’s eyes to see the right women.

-For new friends and new funds….always need more of both.  Who do you know?  How can you get involved?  Pray about how God would use you to advance His work at MSH!

All for now…have a blessed week.

Gratefully,

Becky

NEWS:

-Last night was a fun evening for the SFI women, their mentors and the MSH Board members.  We had a lovely dinner and then did a lot of laughing.  We handed out special “awards” – they were really more fun than serious, but we had a great time.  We did a little graduation practice, had a formal group picture taken (THANKS, Dan Little!) and then spent the rest of the time signing the mat frames for our graduation pictures.  It was sort of like a year book party!   We had two very special gifts, however.   One of the women (whose mother is a great seamstress) provided each of the women with a cute little “receipt purse.”  It is a concept with talked about at length during our budgeting conversations and in the reflections papers, almost all of them mentioned how helpful that concept has been.  I told them that we wanted to find a way to keep them thinking about each other and SFI now that we’re finished with the class.  What better way than using it every week – since I was guessing they shopped at least once a week for something. We got a good laugh out of that one…and a darling little purse!  One of the sweetest things in the evening was a gift from another of the ladies to all of us.  She crocheted delicate little butterfly pins for each of us – and pinned to each one was a little verse that she composed herself – in English, with the help of her daughter.  It’s so cool that I’m going to put it in the graduation program.

-A HUGE thanks to Shawna and the mentors and the board members for all their help in making last night happen (and get cleaned up!)  We are blessed to have so many who give so much.

-By now you have to know that graduation is THIS Saturday…3:00 p.m. at AFCC.  Hope to see you there.

-Take a minute and go to the website right now www.mysafeharbor.org and check out the updates there.  Thanks to Lexi – our great web designer – and Shawna we’ve got the video uploaded there and a new weekly calendar “ticker” that will show you what’s going on, as well as real pictures of what we do inserted on program pages, updated info, etc.  Check it out.  It would be GREAT if you could forward the link on to those in your circle and ask them to like us on Facebook as well as check out the blog…which is really the Monday Morning updates.  Use the site as a resource to help us spread the word – it’s probably one of the most important things you can do right now to help us.

-Got two more SFI apps for the next cohort – and two more in process.  We’re getting there!

-Have our on-site visit from Mission Increase Foundation on Thursday morning – I’m excited to have them in to see what we do first hand.

PRAYER REQUESTS:

-Praise and thanksgiving for such a great inaugural SFI cohort.  They learned so much, but SO DID WE!  God is blessing us beyond measure…

-Thanks for our mentors.  What a tremendous job they have done.

-Thanks for the new SFI apps – and prayers for MORE…SOON!

-Thanks for the great update on the website and that it will be a great tool for spreading the word

-For a great MIF visit on Thursday.

I’ll see you all at graduation!

Ready to celebrate,

Becky

NEWS:
-Finished the first round of the Reflections Papers in SFI last week – WOW…amazing. You are going to want to read them all! We’ve got the rest tonight and I am anticipating that it will also be an energizing and exhilarating experience…and not just for me. I think the women themselves are both loving hearing from each other and evaluating together, BUT I think they’re all just so proud of themselves for actually doing it. For many, this was a real breakthrough. Hurray to the Mentors who really came through in this project!
-I’m submitting the Anaheim Community Foundation – Helping Hands Grant application this afternoon. They gave us $2,000 last year and we’re requesting $5,000 for this year. HUGE importance in our funding for this year…PLUS this afternoon I’m taking two of the SFI grads with me for a “thank you” presentation to their board for the grant they gave us last year. Thanks to Lynn Smith for making that happen. I think they will be blown away by the women and the program and the timing couldn’t be better as they pick the recipients for 2012!
-Had another wonderful MIF workshop last week – those guys really know their stuff. We’re going to actually have an “on-site” visit from them on the 22nd and I hope that will give them a much better sense of what we do and inspire them to want to invest in us…. Soon.
-Thanks to those of you that emailed Shawna about helping for graduation. It’s not too late to volunteer…just send her a quick email at Shawna@mysafeharbor.org and let her know if you’re available. Be sure to spread the word about the ceremony itself, it’s going to be such a great day of celebration.
-Finally making some progress on a new cohort…though it looks like it’s going to be a day group and that means I’ll have to be the primary facilitator. That’s the bad news, but the good news is that it will save us $$, plus we won’t have the huge issue of an elementary children’s program. We’ll have to do a little in the summer, but that should be pretty doable. We’re finding it to be a much easier sell than a night class, so we’ve got to do a little re-thinking about some things for this, but that’s why we’re doing the work to figure this out! I’ll keep you posted.

PRAYER REQUESTS:
-Our SFI women as they finish up. Thank God for the amazing transformations going on and for our dedicated Mentors!
-Our HH Grant application. We need this money!
-Our work with MIF – we need a breakthrough for funding and support at “the next level” from them.
-Graduation and all the details….
-Our new cohort. I’d love to have it full and ready to go before graduation…it’s not impossible!

God’s rich blessings for you today! What a blessing you are to me…

Gratefully,
Becky