Local Outreach Projects
We encourage hands-on participation by parishoners in projects that make a difference in our community.
In Santa Cruz County
In the Surrounding Area
St. John's Helpful Shop
St. John's Helpful Shop, located at the corner of Monterey and Capitola Avenues in Capitola Village, was begun over 50 years ago by the women of the church to raise money for a new church carpet. Still going strong, "The Shop" is a vital part of St. John's outreach program.
Faithful volunteers receive and resell "clean, gently used items," in good condition, donated by parishioners and community members. Pam Rhodes, our part-time manager, fills the only paid position. Volunteers come from the church and the community and are enthusiastic about the benefits they receive from their time at the shop.
Besides providing quality clothing and small household items at an affordable price, the volunteers provide smiles and listening ears for the many who drop in to visit and "pass the time of day." The profits generated by The Shop (about $12,000 a year) are given to worthwhile charitable organizations, about 75 percent to local groups and 25 percent overseas.
How to Help: To donate or volunteer time, please contact Pam Rhodes.
Homeless Services Center
St. John's has been actively involved in various support services for homeless people. Working through the Homeless Services Center, we have been part of the Interfaith Satellite Shelter Program (ISSP) for over 10 years, providing meals and shelter for 15 persons three times per month. Due to very high transportation costs, this program is in the process of changing form.
We collect food on a regular basis for those people living in Page Smith Transitional Housing on Coral Street. A faithful volunteer takes your donations to Page Smith House once a month.
St. John's was actively involved in raising funds to build the Rebele Family Shelter on the corner of River and Coral Streets. (The facility was named after St. John's own Rowland and Pat Rebele.) We were able to furnish two apartments when the facility was completed. The shelter accommodates 28 families for a maximum stay of six months, providing counseling and career exploration, and helping people find jobs and permanent housing. There is a major emphasis on meeting the needs of children.
How to Help:
- Leave donations of nonperishable food in the basket at the back of the church for Page Smith Transitional Housing.
- When you are traveling, if you collect unneeded and unopened toiletries, you can put them in the box in the parish hall labeled "New Eyes for the Needy." We can also take larger sizes or cosmetic samples that you don't want, and give them to the Rebele Family Shelter or the Women's Shelter.
- If you are interested in serving as a volunteer or otherwise assisting the Homeless Services Center, call 831-458-6020, extension 6.
- Cash donations to these programs are always welcome. Write checks to: Homeless Services Center, 115 Coral St., Santa Cruz, CA 95060.
Prison and Jail Ministry
Prison ministry is an ongoing part of our outreach at St. John's. Our members are involved in Kairos, Kairos Outside and Christian Hope. These are team ministries where a small group presents a one- to three-day program to inmates at various state prison locations.
In addition, we have individual members who visit Salinas Valley State Prison, Santa Cruz Main Jail, and the Women's Blaine Street facility.
How to Help: Contact Bill Kell to join this ministry or to contribute to it.
Adopt a Family
During Advent, we reach out to less fortunate families within our immediate community and "adopt" several of them. Parishioners donate wrapped Christmas gifts found on the families' "wish list," food items and/or money.
How to Help: We need help purchasing and wrapping the selected gifts in early December. Contact Rachel Huff for more information.
Support for Military Personnel
Some members of St. John's are Vietnam veterans and remember how difficult it was to be overseas and how alone and forgotten they felt when they returned home from that war. They are committed to supporting today's service men and women, and are inviting all of us to take action as we feel moved.
Bill Manich is shepherding this ministry and will be glad to help you decide on an action and how to manage the details. He plans to make a package drive every three months. You are also welcome to make a financial contribution to this work.
How to Help:
- Write a letter to a service man or woman, or perhaps write 10 letters. Bill Manich can provide names and addresses, or go to the website www.anysoldier.com. Letters should be chatty and not political, not your opinions about the war.
- Send a care package to a service man or woman, including snack food, trail mix, cookies, socks, soap, baby wipes, lotion, foot powder, hometown newspaper, hard candies, magazines, etc. A priority cardboard mailer is available free at the post office. Please use the 10x12x4 size; postage to Iraq is flat rate $8.50.
- Collect a box of books or magazines to send overseas.
- Visit a recovering soldier at the V.A. Hospital in Palo Alto.
Santa Maria Urban Ministry
Santa Maria Urban Ministry (SMUM) was founded in 1983 as an outreach ministry of the Diocese of El Camino Real. As a partner of the Second Harvest Food Bank, SMUM provides emergency food assistance to about 1,800 low-income people a month in central San Jose. (Half of these are children).
SMUM aims to "make Christ a living presence by offering to all a safe place of welcome, service and positive transformation." Located at 778 S. Almaden, those served report that SMUM provides a unique gathering place for those in the neighborhood. In addition to food assistance, SMUM operates a preschool for children and an after-school program as well as ESL classes for adults. They also provide free clothing from their Community Chest, emergency transportation and food deliveries to seniors.
Due to cuts to the Diocesan budget in 2006, churches in the diocese have been challenged to pick up the slack. St. John's donated $450 from Outreach funds and $500 from the Helpful Shop in 2006.
How to Help: Contributions can be mailed to SMUM, 778 S. Almaden, San Jose, CA 95110. Volunteers are welcome to help in a variety of ways. Call 408-292-3314 for more information or to be on their mailing list.
New Eyes for the Needy
How to Help:
- A box in the parish hall labeled "New Eyes for the Needy" is provided. Eye glasses and cases that you and your loved ones no longer need are collected and mailed to New Eyes for the Needy, an organization started by an Episcopal church in New Jersey, which distributes them to those who cannot afford glasses overseas. By law they are no longer able to distribute them in the U.S., but with monetary and precious metal (broken jewelry, dental) donations, they also help the poor in our country.
- For more information contact Julie Fudge.