Hope for San Diego

Please join us!

The resurrection we look forward to at Easter means we can pray with hope for the day when God will make all things new.

Most Americans have an inherited tendency to resist grief. It’s in our national DNA; it’s the water we swim in. The United States tends toward optimism and forward progress, busyness and productivity. Getting on with it. We’re taught in subtle ways that there is no time for grief But unless we make space for grief, we cannot know the depths of the love of God, the healing god wrings from pain, and the way grieving yields wisdom, comfort, even joy. Tish Harrison Warren Prayer in the Night Join us for 40 Days of Prayer. Find a calendar on our website: www.hopeforsd.org

Please join us tonight for an Ash Wednesday virtual event of lament and hope with our church partners. Find the song lyrics here: https://hopeforsd.org//u/2021/02/Ash-Wednesday-Liturgy.pdf

We experience Lent with the benefit of hindsight. We know Easter is coming. But the season still gives us time to mourn, but a time to not be okay with the state of the world and the state of our hearts. It is good for us to remember that we are dust, and to dust we shall return. Erin Hicks Moon Every Broken Thing Join us here next Wednesday, February 17th at 6:30 for prayer and lament with our partner churches.

We are joining Hope for San Diego to support the San Diego Rescue Mission with a Food Drive! This Sunday, February 14 between 8 and 12:30 pm, the Rescue Mission... will have their truck at Redeemer ready to accept your donations. Please see the list below for more information on what items are needed. Donation Items: Canned beans Dry beans Peanut butter, or other nut butters Rolled oats Canned fruit in juice, not in light or heavy syrup Canned vegetables, with no or low-sodium Low-sodium soups Canned tuna in water Canned chicken Brown rice Quinoa Peanuts Seeds, unsalted Shelf stable milk and milk substitutes Pastas/ whole grain pasta Low-sodium pasta sauce-stewed tom, crushed tom, sauce Whole grain, low-sugar cold cereals Olive or canola oil Canned tomatoes Dried fruits, no sugar added Honey Chicken, beef and vegetable broths and stock Tuna fish Instant mashed potatoes Bottled waters Hygiene Items: Tissues Protective gloves Hand soap Hand sanitizer Disposable face masks Disposable gowns Trash bags

To kick off this year's 40 Days of Service during Lent, Hope for San Diego is sponsoring a food drive on Sunday, February 14th to benefit the San Diego Rescue Mission. Check www.hopeforsd.org for what's needed and drop off info.

I was sleeping in my car at the beach because I had to get away from my family. My only escape was the drugs. I didn’t care about myself or anyone. I had my baby in jail, surrounded by security guards. Two days later, I packed her a bag and kissed her goodbye. Read Erika's story: A New Dream at www.hopeforsd.org

Within a span of a weekend, the village that surrounded them was gone. They lost access to their parents, to teachers, to school, to gymnastics, to counselors, to tutors, and were left with a family they’d lived with for six weeks. Read the Willards' story: The disappearing village https://hopeforsd.org/the-disappearing-village/

More time online for children means more opportunity for predators. #pandemicpain

I was suffocating, he says. It just wasn’t sustainable anymore. Reluctantly, Ahmed left, watching everything he had built in his life slowly dip from view as he traveled to the U.S. Read Ahmed's story: Coming Up for Air at https://hopeforsd.org/coming-up-for-air/

Children are trapped at home with their abusers. #pandemicpain

The worst pain is often hidden. Read the story: https://hopeforsd.org/pandemic-the-invisible-controller/

As an exploited teenager, Lola never attended high school and never experienced typical peer relationships. School, a job, and a car felt like her chance to make up for all those missed opportunities. The moment in March she heard school wouldn’t continue in person felt like the unraveling of all her dreams. "I was angry and felt suffocated. It was like there was this invisible thing controlling us. Read more of Lola's story: https://hopeforsd.org/pandemic-the-invisible-controller/

I was working two jobs just to make the rent at $875 a month, and then the landlord raised it to $1,400. And then COVID hit. Carmen’s home health care company cut her hours because of the risk to clients. If paying her rent was once a struggle, it was now an impossibility. I couldn’t do it alone. While I was struggling, COVID hit and it hit me right back down. That’s when I became homeless."... Read the rest of Carmen's story: http://hopeforsd.org/not-alone-anymore/

What an amazing time serving alongside other churches and organizations to prepare Refuge for Women for trafficking survivors. Thanks to all the Hope for San Diego volunteers who came out on Day of Service!

Last chance to help kids go Back to School Strong without spending a dime. Give feedback on your favorite brands and we get $$ for kids. Sign up at www.hopeforsd.org

In just a few minutes, you can give to under-served kids without spending. Check out the video and Alec will explain how easy it is to get started!

Just a few minutes of your time can help send kids Back to School Strong! Watch the video and Alec will share the details about how you can give without spending.

Just a few minutes of your time can help send kids Back to School Strong!

Join us this Saturday here on Facebook as we tune into several on-site service projects live with our volunteers. You will learn more about Hope for San Diego's affiliate partners, our volunteers, and how they have been able to stay involved during this season, and you may just see some familiar friends and faces as we spotlight our volunteers serving this Saturday. You won't want to miss it!