The Good Shepherd Shelter family and community in Los Angeles came together to celebrate and connect on Easter. Children played on the sprawling lawn of the shelter and scavenged for Easter eggs. The kids, their families, and staff gathered together for an outdoor luncheon. And the Easter Bunny brought baskets filled with goodies for the families. The generosity of donors, benefactors, and local service agencies made the special day possible.
Toddlers get playground equipment
PRESENT NOW, one of Good Shepherd Shelter’s local mission partners, donated playground equipment for toddlers to help them heal through play. The mission of PRESENT NOW is to provide children in domestic violence shelters with essential goods and specialty items to bring them joy, comfort, and relief during a time of crisis.
Moms get pampered on Mother’s Day
Children and staff at Good Shepherd Shelter created a day of love, pampering, and self-care for moms at the shelter to make sure they felt happy, relaxed and special on Mother’s Day. The day began with the children reading to their moms and presenting them with handmade gifts crafted with love. The special day continued with mom-only time and a high tea made of light cucumber sandwiches, scones and other sweet treats. The moms were then treated to facials, hand and shoulder massages with essential oils designed for calm. The day ended with the moms receiving beautiful donated gifts.
Residents plant a garden
Residents and staff at Good Shepherd Shelter spent several days earlier this spring pulling weeds and preparing the soil for a community-wide gardening project. The families and staff planted watermelon, cantaloupe and other fruits, as well as lettuce, radishes and other vegetables. They added an herb garden to include mint, cilantro and parsley. The kids will be responsible for tending the garden and watering the plants throughout the growing season. The teachers are using the time in the garden to add to the students’ science curriculum. When the time comes, families will harvest the food and come together once again with staff and benefactors to dine as a bonded community and enjoy the fresh homegrown farm to table fruits, vegetables, and herbs.
