The children’s play area at the shelter is so important. Even where space is limited, kids need room to just be kids, especially after experiencing the trauma of being uprooted from what’s familiar. They need a safe place to be distracted, to be entertained, and to use their imagination in a joyful outlet, especially while their parents and guardians focus on difficult adult matters. But even though they have a play room, many of the items donated for kids didn’t quite fit in. In order to be safe for children of all ages, they needed to be easily cleaned and at least as large as a hand. So, we bought some fun items that fit these specifications, plus a poster to add some joy and encouragement to the walls! When we asked what kind of items could really make the play room functional and fun, one organizer named Kathy shared her dream. She said, “I want something that kids could create and be put up on the walls to help add happiness to this place.” Inspired by Kathy’s vision, … [Read more...] about Stay Playful

When we realized the feast day of the Virgin de Guadalupe was fast approaching, we wondered if folks at the shelter had plans to celebrate. The Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe is a major holiday in Mexico, and many people at the shelter would ordinarily be taking the day off to spend time with their families. In the face of so much transition and uncertainty, we wanted to add something familiar and fun to this special day. Even in difficult circumstances, there are still reasons to celebrate and moments to find joy. To spark some of this joy, we decorated the dining area — an otherwise bare room — with festive décor and bought sweets to be served with dinner! We used tinsel, strings of lights, and some ornaments to make everything feel more festive. When people saw the decorations, they lit up. Little kids were delicately touching the bulbs and tinsel with wonder. The decorations even inspired some to feel more festive and giving. Filipe, the custodian, saw what we were … [Read more...] about Getting Festive

The staff and volunteers at this shelter work tirelessly, often skipping meals and never asking for anything in return. Many are putting in an incredible number of hours, even taking time off work. In the chaos, they are the calm, steady, kind and caring presence. They deserve some appreciation - and some fuel – to keep them going strong. Montse from the shelter showed us the staff and volunteer snack table. She had strung up some positive affirmations on the wall. But the actual table items were a bit drab – and not a lot of variety. So we decided to spruce it up a bit. We got a Keurig, pods, to-go cups, chips, chocolates, trail mix, and more. We also got them a $100 gift card to Target, so they can restock when they get low. The volunteer drivers are especially generous with their time, often getting out of bed at 3:30am, sometimes with no notice, to pick up and escort families through the airport. They are a rock for those at the shelter, and for the families … [Read more...] about Don’t Forget to Refuel

With people passing through the doors of the shelter so quickly, volunteers told us that sometimes the process can feel a little transactional. And yet, there’s so much love to go around. Volunteers and staff are giving so much to help those in need, and the shelter’s guests are grateful for their kindness. We were inspired to help bring that kindness, care, and hope to the surface, to make it more accessible. As guests and volunteers walk into the shelter, there’s a check-in area. In that space we put up a bulletin board, post-its, and sharpies and asked helpers to answer, “What inspires you to help?” And in that same space, we created a “Wonder Wall” with more supplies, encouraging people to leave a note as they come through. The response was incredible. It was like a lid was lifted off a well of deep compassion, hope, and joy – everyone, both volunteer and guest alike, wanted to share words of gratitude. Montse, who works at the shelter, had tears in her … [Read more...] about Bring Hope to the Surface

It’s amazing what a weight is lifted when things are simply organized. Less clutter, less mess - less stress. And in already high stress situations, everything you can do to stay on top of it is key. There are so many moving parts at the shelter in San Diego where we’ve spent the last few days. It can be tough to keep things organized and efficient. On Day 12, we started in on the problem. Today is round two. We purchased four more shelving racks and organizing tubs for the donation room, dispersing the piled-up items that now rest neatly on the shelves. We also helped lend an organizing eye to the space, helping the staff think through the process. We created an inventory checklist, personal shopper checklist for volunteers, and labeling templates for donations bags. Rosie, who oversees the donation area, was so grateful for the extra hand. “We receive so many donations, and often it’s unclear what is in the bags. So, we have to sort through them all over … [Read more...] about Getting Organized

This shelter in San Diego is chock full of amazing people, all pitching in to help. There are beds for hundreds of people, clean clothes, health checks, travel assistance, and case management. They’re doing a lot. But the problem is...there isn’t much for the people staying there to do. For migrants seeking shelter, it’s a waiting game. Some people are there for only a few hours. Some are there for days – even weeks. On top of that, families have arrived at the shelter after a long journey. It’s the first time they’ve been able to take a breath. After a difficult journey and difficult situations at home, they’ve arrived at a safe haven. Volunteers and staff at the shelter wanted them to have an opportunity to ease their mind – even for just a moment. Something that’s universal? The joy of watching a good movie. We installed TVs in the large dorm room where families have their cots, and in the children’s area we helped create. We got DVD players and some DVDs. … [Read more...] about Take a Deep Breath

The folks at the shelter we met yesterday were dealing with a little crisis – they had just moved to a new location, but they weren’t able to take the infrastructure from the old shelter with them. Things like shelves, tables, and chairs. Once of the biggest problems was not having a place to put all the clothes. And shoes. And jackets. There were lots of donations – and a big need for new clothes – but nowhere organized to put them. The generosity of people giving was overwhelming – so many everyday people were stepping forward to provide a constant stream of new gear for the hundreds of migrants seeking shelter there each night. The volunteers at the shelter were bowled over by that abundance. They just needed a way to channel it. You know that good feeling when you organize your closet, when everything has its spot? That’s just the kind of joy we wanted to share - and with a few quick trips to Home Depot, we made it happen. The volunteers were all over it, … [Read more...] about Put to Good Use

There are some really amazing people in San Diego. Quietly and without much fanfare, groups of volunteers, non-profit leaders, and members of the faith community have united to do something incredible - give their time, energy, and hearts to those who need it most. After asylum seekers coming from Central America are detained by border patrol, their cases processed, and court dates set, they're largely on their own. They need to figure out where to stay - and how to get to the location of their court date, which is usually hundreds if not thousands of miles away. Enter everyday people in San Diego. Fueled by volunteers and scrappy grassroots organizations, makeshift shelters have popped up to provide a sanctuary. One such shelter takes in hundreds of new people every night. Every day brings new challenges. But something was missing - a place just for kids. Moms are arriving at the shelter with their children. But because they needed all the room they could get for cots, … [Read more...] about Everyday People, Extraordinary Things