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| Four Seasons Hemet Herald | APRIL 2018 | 7 Assistance League® of Hemacinto was organized in 1976 and became the 64th chapter of National Assistance League® in 1979 with 63 members. Today there are over 100 valley women who are volunteer members of the chapter with husband, likewise volunteering. The mission of the chapter is to transform the lives of children and adults through community programs. The primary philanthropic program today is Operation School Bell® and its goal is to supply new school clothing to elementary age school children with the intention of promoting and improving each child's self-image. It has been found that children receiving this new clothing attend school more regularly and interact with their peers more actively. In 1977 when the chapter started Operation School Bell 35 children were clothed however each year the program has grown and in 2017 that number grew to 1,550 with a total of 33, 000 having received the benefits of the program since its inception. School attendance and education are the core of two other programs that the chapter has today. Perfect attendance incentives, Christmas gifts and graduation events are given to teen parents enrolled in the Cal-SAFE program through Riverside County Office of Education in hope of their completing high school. Additionally the chapter awards college scholarships to men and women re- entering educational programs after an absence and to teen parents (as noted above) who continue their education after high school completion. These philanthropic programs are supported by the proceeds of the Assistance League Thrift Shop located at 180 N. Girard Ave., Hemet and through grants and donations. Thrift Shop donations are received daily Monday through Saturday, 10 am to 2 pm. Today there are 12 Four Season residents who are members of the chapter. Any resident, man or woman, is welcome as a member. Please contact the chapter at (951) 652-8307 to receive membership information. Assistance League Seated: Linda Morriss, President; Toni Harris; Standing: Hallie Odle, Mary Lou Caldwell, Susan Gaites, Dennis Harris, Sandy St, John, Vicki Gastelem, and Sue Watt; Four Seasons residents missing: Cathy Dale, Candace Hawley, Carolyn Straub, Dennis Straub, and Marie White Valley Restart is a structured program that helps those who want to help themselves out of homelessness and into a higher level of independence and self-sufficiency with great success. With admission requirements which include an application, CA ID, criminal background check and interview and a willingness to be drug and alcohol free, we can either offer applicants a bed or a place on our waiting list and additional referrals. We have 35 beds, most of which are filled with families and their dependent children; there is limited space for single women and men. In the last 12 years most of the residents have never been homeless before. Intensive case management and a high level of accountability assist 86-96 percent of the nearly 300 persons whom we house in a year move out of homelessness into permanent housing within 90 days or less; the average stay last year was 57 days. Mandatory savings, budgeting, job and housing searches are required. Additionally Valley Restart offers an evening meal open to the community, and with the assistance of area churches and service groups, we serve about 45,000 meals a year to our residents and those who are in need. As funding allows, we have a "Bus Ticket Home" program for persons who are displaced in our community and homeless and who have loved ones who will assist them elsewhere, if only they could get them there. Our funding is diverse: County, state and federal competitive grants, fundraising, monthly donations from area churches and individuals. We have volunteers on every front to round out our needs. Clearly with our limited space and resources we can only help a limited number of those seeking help; we have learned the hard way that we cannot help those who only want a hand out. Linda Rogers, Executive Director of Valley Restart Shelter, Inc. • (951)766-7476Ext 24 or cell (909)213-1443. Valley Restart Taste of Elegance benefits the following organizations