As a community, we have a responsibility to help those most in need. According to Peter Connery, chairperson of the Santa Cruz/Watsonville Connect, someone is dying on the streets as a homeless person almost once a week in Santa Cruz County. The scale of homelessness in Santa Cruz is such that government programs and services are insufficient to resolve the challenges faced by individuals and families. A community spiritual response of sufficient scale is what is missing.

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Since the inception of The Santa Cruz/ Watsonville Connect project, Monte Vista Christian students under the Direction of Mr. Devin Kleffer have served every year by collecting clothing and personal care items for distribution, helping with fundraising and marketing, and serving side-by- side with over 40 organizations, many different faith groups, and individual volunteers of our community. It really is the most wonderful site to witness the community coming together to serve.

 

For the 2015 Project, Mr. Kleffer’s history classes sponsored and ran an immigration/migration study. They gave the clients of Project Homeless Connect the opportunity to share their stories. They study homelessness in Santa Cruz County and discuss ways to elevate awareness and improve our efforts to serve. Their insight was shared with the Project Homeless Connect Committee, opening our minds to various venues to consider in expanding the scope of the project. The students did in-class projects geared towards the Project Homeless Campaign, Including; Development of a Social Media marketing campaign, Development of Branding and Logo, Development of advertising art work. Their service is an outstanding modeling of grace and spirit. They have touched many lives and demonstrated the Christian hope, faith, and charity.

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The greatest blessing was Working together to be an instrument in Gods Hand – Yes for sure.

We thank Mr. Devin Kleffer for his dedicated service in bringing the students to get involved in this amazing service. Because of their leadership and vision, the students learn such a valuable lesson in service and understanding. During their service every one of them has shown Christ like character and a great love to their fellow being. Their dedication and hard work have touched those who were served and those who were serving with them.