Those that came to the spring 2011 Volunteer Appreciation event reflected on what volunteerism at Berkeley Food and Housing Project means to them. Volunteers, staff and clients at the North County Women's Shelter then enjoyed grilled food from Chef Erick of the Musical Offering. Here are some snippets from the reflection wall:

What Service Feels Like
•    Rewarding
•    Unselfish
•    Thankful
•    Encouraging
•    Humbling
•    Empathy
•    Helpful
•    Uplifting
•    Inspiring
•    Mind Opening
•    Making a difference
•    A great feeling of teamwork
•    Being of service to someone else, compassion
•    Aware
•    Being part of a community
•    Service feels like a ‘connection to others’ through giving of one’s time and focused attention
•    Work without pay but…informing
•    Obedient


Three Components Needed to End Poverty
•    Discipline, Understanding, Volunteering
•    Walking a mile in someone’s shoes; Education; Federal government paying attention to their own
•    More empathy; Increase low-cost mental health services; Local production and manufacturing
•    Investing in renewable energy; Recycling, reducing, waste; Clean water source
•    Elimination of sales tax; Restructure the income tax into one that is more fair and progressive; Encourage organizations such as BFHP
•    Public awareness; Public policy; People who are, i.e. volunteers!
•    More equal distribution of economic resources; Awareness and action; Education
•    Compassion; Community support; Extension of life changing opportunities to underrepresented people
•    Support; Awareness; Action
•    Better food access/distribution; Networks to informally match skills/services to people who need them

Two local businesses were the winning bid for the 2011 CDBG funded first floor re-flooring project at NCWC. Mari Strain of Flooring Alternatives in Berkeley helped to get the best pricing for the Marmoleum, which is a natural linoleum (durable and non-toxic). Robert Gamble of Interior Design Services in San Francisco helped by providing a competitive bid for installing the flooring. Both companies were committed to getting BFHP the best product for the best value and were a pleasure to work with. The project is now completed and looks great.

BFHP won MB Jessee's 2011 Project Color: Painting for Charity Giveaway. In March, 2011 our North County Women's Center received an exterior paint job. This renewal of the building parallels the renewal the clients at 2140 Dwight Way experience. More pictures are on our Facebook and Flickr pages.