By: Luis Chacon
Province Coordinator for Volunteers

On November 23rd, on the eve of Thanksgiving, Salesian Volunteers together with R.IDEA, an organization of women dedicated to helping the underserved and homeless communities reach their goals and regain footing back into a functioning society, went to serve our most needy brothers on Skid Row.

It is impressive to see how different organizations want to come together and make a positive change in society. It’s inspiring to witness that wealth is found not in the ability to possess, but in the ability to give, this time we continued to share donations from PIH Whittier 3rd Tower and the Community of Saint Dominic Savio.

This time Salesian High School Bishop Mora and Saint Isabel Salesian Elementary School joined and helped with donations as well. Salesian High School shared several boxes of canned food, while Saint Isabel Salesian Elementary School took the initiative to make an economic collection during its Thanksgiving Mass presided over by Fr Jim Nieblas. It was inspiring to see how the children of Saint Isabel understood that happiness is achieved by helping each other and not hoarding wealth in solitude.

A big thank you to the Salesian Family of this Province and all the organizations that have a desire to make this world a better place, for all the people who have understood that “the destiny of all depends on the conduct of each one” (Alexander the Great).

We invite you to continue being a part of the change in this world with your prayers, donations in kind, and your time. Our intention in the Homeless Outreach is to change the world by changing the hunger and cold of the poorest, but also to give the young people of our Salesian houses the opportunity to serve. Do you have an acquaintance over the age of 18 who would be interested in a volunteer experience that would help change their life? Contact Juan Carlos Montenegro or Luis Chacón and let’s get connected to help change the world!

Soon we will reactivate our Gospel Trips to Tijuana and other Salesian presences! Stay informed and follow @salesianvolunteers on Instagram!