Smilin', Stylin' & Yummy Grub - Valentine's Day Serve @ Joshua Center

The special Valentine's event at the Women's shelter this month was a super great time. Several hair stylists and makeup artists - even some manicure/pedicure nail techs were able to come out and join us for this month's 2nd Thursday meal to help the ladies staying at Breakthrough enjoy some extra special pampering.



lovely photo collage by the talented ladies at emschair (http://emschair.com/)

This meal was sponsored by Soul City church in partnership with givingthemhope.org. Each of the women even received special gift bags filled with things like nail polish, lotion and bus passes - even a generous donation of special shower gel product from H2O plus. Many shared sentiments like "I needed this" or "This is exactly what I wanted".

A huge thanks to everyone who made this night possible, from our great food prep team to our talented and generous stylists, make up artists and nail techs to our sponsors and donations and partner organizations. Thank you for caring enough to make a difference. I can't wait to do it again!

Women's Valentine's Day Serve - Details

Here's an email from Melissa for the special event serve we're planning for the women's facility on Valentines Day. If you're interested in helping, just let us know! 

First things first, here are the event details:

Date:            Friday, February 15^th,

Time:           6:30-9:00 p.m.

Location:     Breakthrough's Joshua Center located at 3330 W. Carroll Avenue, in East Garfield Park

Details:        Beauty treatments and fellowship will be from 6:30-8:00, dinner from 8:00-9:00.

                    Volunteers are welcome and encouraged to join the women for dinner.

                    Services will be set up at different stations for each woman to visit as they choose.

We will also be mingling and getting to know everyone during that time.  Blessing bags will be handed out to each woman then as well.

Blessing Bags:  The idea of Giving Them Hope is to provide blessing bags to those in need through the compassion and care of the local community. With each of these offerings, we strive to spread the love of Christ and give them hope for the future.  Each gift will contain essential items (and a few treats!) that are currently needed and not easily accessible to those who are currently displaced.  The goal of the Valentine’s Day project is to encourage the women at the Joshua Center and shower them with love on this “love-themed” holiday.  We want to make sure that they know that not only do we, the local community, care about them, but ultimately that Christ loves them unconditionally.

We currently need volunteers in the following areas:

·            Dinner preparation

·            Haircuts and styling

·            Manicures

·            Pedicures

·            Make Up application and tips

·            Other services: facials, shoulder massages, etc.

·            Fellowship

If you would like to sign up for one of these specific areas, please let me know where you feel you can best serve.

In addition to volunteering, we are asking for help with the blessing bags.  We need to prepare 40-45 bags to ensure everyone gets one.  If you are in the beauty industry and would be able to donate an item to place in each bag, please contact me.  Here are some of the items needed:

·          Lip gloss

·          Manicure sets (files, clippers, nail polish, etc.)

·          Comb/brush

·          Small Mirror

·          Soap/body wash

·          Shampoo

Other items needed include:

·          Pre-paid bus cards

·          Walmart Gift Cards

There is also the option to sponsor whole bags at $15 each.  Checks can be made to Soul City Church (Memo: Valentine’s Day Serve) and given to Melissa or Amanda the night of the event.