Anaheim Interfaith Shelter Class

On December 11th we held a painting class at Michaels in Orange for the children of the Anaheim Interfaith Shelter, Halcyon. This is a transitional living facility geared towards families. It is a strict program with a high success rate in assisting families in becoming self-sufficient. The people that live there need to have a job and have to save 80% of their money toward getting settled into a home of their own so they do not have much in the way of extra funds.

I was approached by a long time friend, Keith Olesen who wanted to seek donations and raise money to pay for the kids from this shelter to go to one of my painting classes. The idea was to provide them with a fun learning activity/event and with Christmas coming up they could use whatever they painted as a Christmas present for their parents or friends. I thought this was a great opportunity and cause to pursue so Store manager Jeremy Graves, Keith Olesen and myself got together and arranged a class.

I put together a supply list far more than what is actually needed, the thinking was to provide the participants something they could take with them so that they could pursue painting further should they so desire so it would not be just a one time diversion. Given the current cuts to art programs in the school system this is an opportunity we felt that these particular young people would not otherwise enjoy.

There were 15 young people in attendance, bright, normal and happy and it was as much fun for me as well as the kids that attended. Keith helped out and even had a young girl following him around helping change water, clean brushes, etc. As I normally do, I tried to work with them each individually as much as possible in a two to three hour class. Painting is my Joy and it is a wonderful experience to be able to share that with others, especially given that these particular children would not normally be able exposed to this sort of thing. Afterwards we were treated to the wonderful snowmen cupcakes provided by Wilton Cake Decorating Instructor, Jerri Brownfield

This was not a charity but sponsorship. I am hoping now to continue doing this sort of thing along with my regular classes as well as adding for an additional 1 month of classes for those of this group who would like to continue (as there seems to be several with a flair for art).

I would also like to remind people that the Anaheim Interfaith Shelter, Halcyon is always in need of funding and donations to keep up the good work that they are doing.

From the director of Halcyon

“Dear Friends and Supporters of Halcyon,  

Sunday, December 11th, was a day that many of the homeless children that we serve here in our shelter will remember far into the future.  They will remember the opportunity they were given to explore their creativity, to know that their neighbors  cared enough to take them out of their environment for the afternoon and encourage talents they didn’t know they had.  I had been speaking for the children who attended but there is much that I can say as the Executive Director of the Anaheim Interfaith Shelter/Halcyon which has been offering life-changing services for homeless families with children since 1988.

   

I will start with describing how our small staff often feels overwhelmed by just providing the very basic services our families require and how the “fun” things, like an art class taught by a professional art teacher, would completely feel out of reach.  When a group steps up, offers something as unique as the art class on December 11th, without us having to do a thing other than to coordinate the parents getting the kids over to the Michael’s store, we’re overjoyed on behalf of this vulnerable group who often don’t know where they and their parents will be sleeping on any given night.

 

I have been in the non-profit shelter environment for almost 17 years and I’m continually amazed by the ability of like-minded groups of people to coordinate and provide something as fun and….. one could say, essential, to nourish the soul during a difficult time.  If I was standing with all of you  in a group right this minute, I would say that this group should look right and left and acknowledge the uniquely generous and giving nature that exists – it is indeed glorious to behold.

 

In closing, I send my personal gratitude for the coordination of the class, for the talent and donation of time of artist/instructor Jack Knight, the generous financial donations that covered the cost of our 15 kids and the $1,100 that will be directed towards art supplies/crafts in the coming year to continue the spark of creativity that was hopefully ignited this December.  May this entire experience fill your hearts with a peace that is often missing during this blessed season.

Colleen Smagala-DeVane
Executive Director
Anaheim Interfaith Shelter/Halcyon”