Respect Life

In celebration of Respect Life Month, Corpus Christi Parish recently played host to 35 children served by the Los Angeles County Foster Care Program.  Over 100 people joined representatives from CASA, Kidsave, and Child S.H.A.R.E. as the parish hall became a fall festival with pumpkin-carving, cookie decorating and a Halloween lunch with goodie bags for all the children.

Though it was plenty of fun for the guest children more importantly it provided over 100 people from the neighboring community an opportunity to come and learn firsthand about becoming mentors, host families or possibly as adoptive parents to these very special children.

This wonderful event was spearheaded by the tireless efforts of Tracie Shepard, head of Respect Life Ministry at Corpus Christi Parish and with the help of many of the members of this ministry including Gigi Sando and Joanne and Bob Klein.

With chapters throughout the country, CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) was established to support and promote court-appointed volunteer advocacy for abused and neglected children so that they can thrive in safe, permanent homes.  casanet.org/

Kidsave’s mission is to ensure that no orphan or foster child is forgotten and that every child grows up in a family with love and hope for a successful future.  Since 1999, more than 2700 children have found parents and lasting connections with adults thanks to Kidsave programs.  www.kidsave.org/

Child S.H.A.R.E. (Support, Hope, Advocacy, Resources, Encouragement) is a non-profit organization that finds safe, loving and stable homes for abused children. Their unique and effective programs recruit and support foster and adoptive families through local faith communities and service organizations.  childshare.org/

If you are interested in further information about any of these programs please call the parish office at (310) 454-1328 and ask for Carol Sanborn