COMMUNITY PROJECTS
The Whole Child Family Housing Program 2014-2024
For many years, Gamma Zeta Chapter has given Christmas gifts of clothing to children experiencing homelessness. We supported Rio Hondo Temporary Shelter in Norwalk until they closed and clients were transferred to The Whole Child in Whittier in 2011. The Whole Child focuses on ending homelessness for families in the southeast region of Los Angeles by providing community-based housing and support services.
With continued funding from Alpha Chi Chapter and Greenleaf 4H, Gamma Zeta has been able to provide clothing at Christmas for the children involved in The Whole Child Family Housing Program. Our Gamma Zeta shoppers, Sue Lance and Dottie Poole, with other members over the years, have selected clothing items appropriate for each child’s gender and size. Members of Gamma Zeta and Alpha Chi wrapped the gifts at the December meetings and delivered them to The Whole Child for the designated families.
However, the 2015 Christmas was different. It was decided by the committee involved, led by Sue Lance, that a family gift of a night out together would be fun. Norm’s restaurant gift cards were purchased by Sue Lance with budgeted money from Gamma Zeta, Alpha Chi, Greenleaf 4H, and member donations. Each Chapter member from Gamma Zeta and Alpha Chi were also asked to donate two movie tickets. Movie tickets were organized by Sue Lance and Shirley Lamphear. At our holiday potluck dinner, the movie tickets and restaurant gift cards were assembled then lovingly wrapped and decorated along with handwritten holiday wishes from our Delta Kappa Gamma sisters to be presented to the families. The Director of Whole Child Family Housing Program helped by choosing movie tickets for Starlight Theaters in Uptown Whittier Village for families that would need to walk from their homes, and those families able to drive to a theater received AMC or Regal theater tickets. Shirley Lamphear found Starlight Theaters offered a $5 movie ticket special on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but the families could go another day too which would cost a little more. The AMC tickets sold for $8.50 a ticket at the Auto Club and Costco sold the Regal tickets for about the same price.
Because there were 89 children in the Family Housing Program this year, we decided that this family gift would be better. Twenty two families received our family night gift bags for a special night out together.
Irene Lonergan
For many years, Gamma Zeta Chapter has given Christmas gifts of clothing to children experiencing homelessness. We supported Rio Hondo Temporary Shelter in Norwalk until they closed and clients were transferred to The Whole Child in Whittier in 2011. The Whole Child focuses on ending homelessness for families in the southeast region of Los Angeles by providing community-based housing and support services.
With continued funding from Alpha Chi Chapter and Greenleaf 4H, Gamma Zeta has been able to provide clothing at Christmas for the children involved in The Whole Child Family Housing Program. Our Gamma Zeta shoppers, Sue Lance and Dottie Poole, with other members over the years, have selected clothing items appropriate for each child’s gender and size. Members of Gamma Zeta and Alpha Chi wrapped the gifts at the December meetings and delivered them to The Whole Child for the designated families.
However, the 2015 Christmas was different. It was decided by the committee involved, led by Sue Lance, that a family gift of a night out together would be fun. Norm’s restaurant gift cards were purchased by Sue Lance with budgeted money from Gamma Zeta, Alpha Chi, Greenleaf 4H, and member donations. Each Chapter member from Gamma Zeta and Alpha Chi were also asked to donate two movie tickets. Movie tickets were organized by Sue Lance and Shirley Lamphear. At our holiday potluck dinner, the movie tickets and restaurant gift cards were assembled then lovingly wrapped and decorated along with handwritten holiday wishes from our Delta Kappa Gamma sisters to be presented to the families. The Director of Whole Child Family Housing Program helped by choosing movie tickets for Starlight Theaters in Uptown Whittier Village for families that would need to walk from their homes, and those families able to drive to a theater received AMC or Regal theater tickets. Shirley Lamphear found Starlight Theaters offered a $5 movie ticket special on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but the families could go another day too which would cost a little more. The AMC tickets sold for $8.50 a ticket at the Auto Club and Costco sold the Regal tickets for about the same price.
Because there were 89 children in the Family Housing Program this year, we decided that this family gift would be better. Twenty two families received our family night gift bags for a special night out together.
Irene Lonergan
Representatives from The Whole Child Program in Whittier gather goodie bags with restaurant gift certificates and movie tickets inside for families at the facility. Each year The Whole Child serves close to (,000 people across Los Angeles County.
Read more about this worthwhile organization at www.thewholechild.org
Read more about this worthwhile organization at www.thewholechild.org