The 10th Annual "Essentials for Young Lives" event will run April 1st - May 10th, 2019.
Last year's event brought in over 231,000 baby essentials - Cases of disposable diapers in sizes from 1 through 5, unscented baby wipes, baby food, baby shampoo, feeding bottles, cotton swabs... all the many things our most vulnerable must have.
When HomeAid Inland Empire supporters pull up to designated provider facilities, the look of gratitude on the faces of the residents and caregivers warms the heart.
The "Essentials for Young Lives" program is so very important. We hope you are able to donate and change lives for families throughout Riverside and San Bernardino counties.

HomeAid Inland Empire was represented at the Groundbreaking Ceremony for Mary's Village in San Bernardino. The 10 acre / 115 bed transitional housing complex for the men of San Bernardino is a long-term program to help homeless men get educated, improve their self-esteem, and get back into the mainstream world.
On hand for the ceremonial tossing of the dirt were (L-R) Ray Osborne, HAIE Board Member Brian King of Lennar Homes, HAIE Board Member Greg Armbruster of Arcadia Cabinetry, HAIE Executive Committee President Dave Reynolds of Boudreau Pipeline, Mary's Mercy Center Vice-President/Administrator Michael Hein, HAIE Executive Director Julie Reay, HAIE Board Member Mark Dimitruk of Pacific Western Bank, Mary's Mercy Center President/Chairman of the Board Father Michael Barry, and Crestwood Communities Vice-President of Operations Terry Kent, who is also the Builder Captain for the project.
(Unavailable for photograph is HAIE Executive Vice President Lisa Weldy of Meridian Land Development)

December 20, 2018 saw the ribbon cutting ceremony of The Grove Village.
On hand were HomeAid Inland Empire Executive Director Julie Reay, along with Housing Development Director Ray Osborne, and Building Industry Association - Riverside County Chapter Chief Executive Officer Bill Blankenship.
Comprised of four separate 600 square-foot homes on the campus of The Grove Community Church in Riverside; This one-of-a-kind project includes donated land, time, talent, services and funding from hundreds of stakeholders and local companies.
HomeAid Inland Empire and the Riverside County Chapter of BIA presented a check of almost $26,000, which represented their donations of cash and materials to the project.
The homes will provide transitional housing for homeless individuals and families who are trying to work their way out of homelessness. Program participants will have access to a variety of services designed to aid in their journey to self-sufficiency, including job training and placement, child care, life skills and financial planning.
This first project of its kind in the region is the next step in reducing the incidence of homelessness in Riverside.

When HomeAid Inland Empire Executive Director Julie Reay recently made a trip to Reliable Lumber in Riverside to coordinate the dispersion of diapers and wipes from the annual "Essentials for Young Lives" event, she met with Riley Richards of Reliable Lumber, where she presented Riley a certificate for their generous donation of materials to renovate the Central City Lutheran Mission Job-Training House in San Bernardino.
Not only has Reliable Lumber been a supporter of HomeAid Inland Empire's building and renovation projects; Their expansive facility has graciously housed "Essentials for Young Lives" supplies for distribution... pallets of diapers in various sizes, baby wipes... anything they are asked to store. The yard foreman, forklift drivers, pallet wrappers, and truck drivers all help to serve HomeAid Inland Empire's needs when it comes to the apportion of baby essentials.
Thank you Reliable Lumber!

Double-whammy! The Central City Lutheran Mission Job-Training House is complete, and ground is broken for the CCLM Emergency Shelter Dormitory for Men in San Bernardino. You'll be hearing from HomeAid Inland Empire about all of the trade partners and companies that contributed to this amazing project in a future blog posting.

Loading up the truck (4 across and 12-15 deep) with backpacks and school supplies for delivery to Valley Restart Shelter in Hemet. Tuesday's stop will also include the truck's 8-foot bed full of food, courtesy of Stater Bros. in Hemet. After we deliver the food to VRS - it's back to the Stater Bros. for another truckload of food for delivery to Veronica's Home of Mercy in San Bernardino.
Then this Saturday, July 28, it will be the 2018 "Full Bellies, Warm Hearts" event in Hemet. The kids will receive the backpacks full of school supplies, plus there will be gift cards for clothing and shoes. Food, entertainers, a petting zoo, and lots more will be happening.
And then the following Saturday, August 4, "Full Bellies, Warm Hearts" happens all over again in San Bernardino!

Debra Johnson of the Milgard Windows & Doors manufacturing facility in Temecula has been instrumental in the acquisition of windows needed to help HomeAid Inland Empire renovate a house on the Central City Lutheran Mission campus in San Bernardino.
The project is in its final stages, and the eleven windows donated by Milgard help to ensure an energy efficient and secure living space.

Once again, Bank of America has generously granted HomeAid Inland Empire a $5000 donation. HomeAid Inland Empire Executive Director Julie Reay was at the check presentation that included Bank of America's Inland Empire Market President Alfred Arguello and Vice President, Community Relations Manager Cathy Paredes at one of their Riverside branches.

HomeAid Inland Empire Executive Director Julie Reay, working with HAIE Board Members Carlos Lopez of HMC Architects and Elishama Spicer of Pacific Utility Installation, Inc. represented the Chapter at the annual Builders For Babies event held at Angels Stadium in Anaheim.
Carlos and his team designed the "sculpture" that would serve as the display for HAIE's "Diaper Zone". The complex structure was a walk-through experience that replicated an ocean wave. And that presentation led to a "Mermaid dunk tank", where visitors could attempt to submerge our delightful mermaid - played by Board Member and all-around good sport Elishama Spicer.
Not only was Elishama costumed with a mermaid tail, shimmering top, and glittering star jewelry in her hair, but she had Pacific Utility Installation, Inc. provide the water truck that filled her watery mermaid home.
The successful event brought in over one million diapers, and raised awareness of the need for baby essentials throughout our communities.
HomeAid Inland Empire wishes to thank Carlos Lopez, his volunteers from HMC Architects, and Elishama Spicer of Pacific Utility Installation, Inc., along with their water tank driver, Brian, for assisting during this immense undertaking!

HomeAid Inland Empire Executive Director Julie Reay, along with Housing Development Director Ray Osborne, met with Central City Lutheran Mission Volunteer Coordinator Claire Sekafetz, and Drew Christian of Miken Construction, to discuss the ongoing progress of a residential home to be used in conjunction with the housing and training of homeless men in vocational and life skills. Wells Fargo volunteers have already contributed many hours to the initial rehabilitation of the structure.