El Sol is new site for food pantry

Volume 3, Issue 1 January 2011

El Sol Shines “Working Together for a Better Community”

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The new North County Food Pantry opened at El Sol Jan. 11 with distribution of free bags of nonperishable foods to nine area families. The pantry is the fifth in Palm Beach County operated by C.R.O.S. Ministries, an inter-faith organization that receives food collected by various congregations, groups and individuals throughout the county. Food items are packed in bags of up to 25 lbs. that include beans, pasta, rice and assorted canned goods, and are distributed to food pantry patrons in amounts based on the number of people in the family. One to two persons receive a 25 lb. bag and another 10 pounds are added for each additional family member. "The only requirement is that you be hungry and in need," said the Rev. Amy Baer, director of Volunteers and Congregational Development for C.R.O.S. Ministries. She said she expects an increase in the number of people served by the pantry as information about the new service gets around the community.

El Sol volunteer Howard Whitsett shows off the food pantry storage area.

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The pantry is staffed by volunteers and is open every Tuesday and Friday from 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. People may obtain food if they have not received assistance from another C.R.O.S. Ministries pantry in the past three months. Those obtaining food for families of four or less should bring photo identification. The person picking up food for families of five or more should bring some form of ID for all family members. The food pantry will provide much needed assistance to families who are in crisis and need emergency food assistance, said Jocelyn Sabbagh, El Sol director. She noted that the Town of Jupiter has reported an increase in families who are seeking such help. "The food pantry allows us to reach families who are awaiting food stamps or are ill or unemployed and need that type of support," Ms. Sabbagh said. Other food pantries operated by C.R.O.S. Ministries are in Indiantown, Riviera Beach, Lake Worth and Delray Beach. Another new pantry is slated to open in Bell Glade in February. For information about the El Sol pantry, to volunteer or to donate, contact the Rev. Baer at C.R.O.S. Ministries at (561) 779-7980.

Volunteer Paige Figueira unloads donated food at the food pantry.

2 El Sol Shines January 2011

“Hungry, why wait?” says the commercial.

It’s easy to forget how fortunate are those of us who can always simply buy food when we feel hungry. El Sol has been serving hot lunches for the past four years to those who are not as fortunate. A group of volunteers comes

each day to our center to prepare meals, and serve anywhere from 70 on a slow day to 160 meals on any given day.

Today, thanks to a true community effort, El Sol expanded its services to reach more individuals in crisis. Today El Sol hosted C.R.O.S. Ministries’ Food Pantry and served nine families. The food pantry provides a week’s worth

of groceries and helps people navigate the system to access other services and resources such as food stamps.

Here are two pictures I took of this memorable day. One features the beautiful group of staff from C.R.O.S. Ministries and community volunteers who were here to make it happen and the other one features the volunteers in action, helping the first beneficiaries.

The Food Pantry is open on Tuesdays and Fridays from 2:30 to 5:00 p.m. It is located inside our center at 106 Military Trail, Jupiter, FL 33458.

Food donations can be accepted during the following hours at First United Methodist Church Jupiter-Tequesta, 815 Indiantown Road, Jupiter FL 33477 (561-746-8116):

Monday – Thursday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Friday 9 a.m. to noon

For after-hours delivery, the contact person is Al Betz, who can be reached at (561) 329-3745.

From the director’s desk

We expand our services, thanks to a community effort

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El Sol’s vision is for a premier day-labor center providing skilled, dependable workers to employers. We are also committed to promoting strong economically and ethnically diverse communities in which all people can achieve their highest potential.

El Sol seeks to improve the quality of life for all residents of the Town of Jupiter through:

* Organizing and supervising Jupiter’s day-labor hiring in a controlled and sanitary atmosphere;

Mission Statement of El Sol

The food pantry at El Sol proves to be a true community effort. Above, members of the staff at C.R.O.S. Ministries gather at El Sol to get the program off the ground. Below, staff and volunteers help members of the community get needed food.

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* Educating Jupiter’s day-laborers and contractors about their rights and responsibilities;

* Assisting Jupiter’s immigrant population to become an active and integrated part of the larger Jupiter community;

* Building bridges and communication among the different ethnic, cultural and religious groups in Jupiter;

* Providing occupational training, language and literacy instruction, counseling, health education, legal and other services to individuals in need.

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Graduates recognized for ESL, computer training As 2010 drew to a close, 160 people who successfully completed ESL and computer training classes at El Sol were honored in separate graduation ceremonies sponsored by the Adult Community Education division of the Palm Beach County School District and El Sol. Officials of the school district's Adult Community Education division presented certificates to graduates at a Dec. 16 ceremony at the center that concluded with a group of graduates singing “Feliz Navidad” (Merry Christmas) in Spanish and English. The graduates all had successfully completed various levels of daytime classes at El Sol that serves as a satellite location of the adult education program at Jupiter Community High School. Mark Mellone, assistant principal, commended the students for their accomplishments and urged those in the audience to take full advantage of the education resources and opportunities available at El Sol and at the high school. He noted that many have been able to complete GED classes and go on to college. "You have every opportunity right in front of you in Jupiter and it all starts here with the English classes,” Mellone said. He noted that before El Sol opened there was a lot of anxiety about whether it would be successful, but that it has turned out to be "a huge success and provides an unbelievable service to our community." In a Nov. 16 education recognition ceremony, certificates were presented to 106 men and women who successfully advanced through various levels of evening ESL, Basic Education and computer classes sponsored by El Sol. The classes were made possible by funding from several foundations and assistance of 37 volunteer teachers from the community, Palm Beach State College and Florida Atlantic University.

Chuck Elderd, film commissioner of the Palm Beach County Film & Television Commission, has pledged to help generate additional exposure of the Brother Towns/ Pueblos Hermanos documentary film at area film festivals and through the news media. Elderd offered his assistance after he and commission production manager Jill Margolius toured El Sol Dec. 14, when they also viewed the documentary. In a message sent afterward to El Sol Associate Director Dora Valdivia, Elderd said he and Ms. Margolius were very impressed with the Brother Towns film that has El Sol as its centerpiece. The movie depicts solutions to problems that have been challenging both Jupiter and Jacaltenango, Guatemala, Jupiter's sister city, Elderd noted. "We will recommend the film be screened at area film festivals and we will be glad to help get additional media awareness for the film and the (El Sol) center," Elderd said in an e-mail message to Ms. Valdivia. She in turn thanked Elderd and Ms. Margolius for taking time to visit El Sol and view the documentary. She also said El Sol will be glad work with the film and television commission to obtain additional screenings of the movie at area film festivals and other venues.

PB County film officials sold on Brother Towns

Mellone

Chuck Elderd, left, and Jill Margolius, right, were given a tour of El Sol recently by Dora Valdivia, center.

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Jim and Molly Sparger, a couple who believe volunteering should be a part of everyone's life, are being honored as Volunteers of the Month for November and December. The Spargers are among the center's longest volunteers, with Molly having arrived soon after El Sol's opened in September 2006. Jim followed early in 2007 and the couple has been coming to the El Sol kitchen every Monday since, to prepare a delicious and nutritious lunch for scores of hungry workers. No matter how many there are to feed (there have been as many as 190) Jim and Molly always manage, with the help of other volunteers, to see that everyone is fed. There have been times when they found the pantry shelves and the refrigerator empty. When that happened Jim's backup plan saved the day. "I call it my Plan B," Jim said of the stash of canned goods and other nonperishable food that he keeps in his truck for such emergencies. It is not uncommon for the Spargers to dig into their own pockets to purchase supplies. One recent morning found Jim in his "bottle washer" apron and Molly wearing one labeled "Chief Cook" busy with several other volunteers, serving lunch to 145 workers. The menu included a vegetable/chicken stew, rice and beans, tossed green salad, drumsticks, bread and assorted desserts. Volunteer Tom Thompson calls Jim’s stew “kitchen sink stew” because “whatever he can find goes into it." "Many people don't realize this but Molly and Jim always prepare everything from scratch," said Andi Cleveland, also a kitchen volunteer. She noted that when the Spargers celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary and

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Jim his 75th birthday, the men at El Sol all sang a song of celebration to them. Molly and Jim are are both natives of North Carolina who met when they were students at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary last Oct. 30. Jim is a retired Jupiter High School social studies teacher and Molly retired as a social worker at the Pavilion long-term care and inpatient rehabilitation facility at Jupiter Medical Center. They have three grown children who all live in the area. Volunteering is their way of giving back to the community said Jim. "That seems like what life should be about." Molly said she enjoys working alongside Jim at El Sol. "It is the only volunteering thing we do together." She also volunteers one day a week at the Pavilion and Jim is involved with Habitat for Humanity, Jupiter Elementary School and the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Museum. Jim and Molly's recognition as Volunteers of the Month is well deserved said El Sol President Jill Hanson. "Jim is always full of good humor and clearly they have a love for each other and have given so much back to the community. We are just delighted to have them here at El Sol," she said. Congratulations and many thanks to Molly and Jim Sparger. Through your outstanding service you have not only distinguished yourself but your efforts also have reflected great credit upon all El Sol volunteers.

Jim and Molly Sparger

Volunteers of the Month for November & December

Jim and Molly Sparger

Registration for El Sol's free Spring education programs begins Jan. 24 for a new computer skills class that starts Feb. 4 and an English language class that begins Jan. 31. All classes are held in the evening and run from February to the first week in April. Registration for the computer class is from 6 p. m. to 8 p.m. and registration for the English class is 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Also, signups for classes in reading and writing in Spanish and elementary school for adults in Spanish will be Jan. 27-28 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Those registering must bring proof of residency in Jupiter and an official photo ID. For more information contact Education Coordinator Reca Fernandez at (561) 745-9860.

Registration set for spring classes

El Sol Shines January 2011 5

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El Sol is pleased to recognize Marcos Gaspar as Worker of the Month for November and Marie Sulfrain as the honoree for December. Their commitment to learn English and take advantage of other learning and volunteer opportunities at El Sol earned them top honors among all workers. Marcos, 30, was also Worker of the Month for June/July. He recently received a certificate for completing the Level 6 ESL program at Jupiter High School and continues to participate in daily English classes at El Sol to improve his proficiency. A native of Soloma, Huehuetenango, Guatemala, he is one of nine children. He came to Jupiter more than eight years ago and lives with two brothers who followed him to the United States a couple years after he arrived. Marcos recalls the times before El Sol opened when he and other day laborers who solicited jobs along Center Street were sometimes exploited and cheated

Workers of the Month for November and December

Marcos Gaspar & Marie Sulfrain

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by unscrupulous employers who would hire them and then fail to pay them. "I didn't speak English and there was nothing I could do," he said. Marie Sulfrain, 69, came to the United States in 2009, before the devastating earthquake in Haiti Jan. 12, 2010. She has a niece in West Palm Beach and a son and a niece in Haiti. Marie helps every day in

the kitchen and prepares the coffee each morning at 6:30, said El Sol Labor Coordinator Wilberto Luna. She also regularly participates in daily English classes. Marie has worked as a housekeeper. She enjoys reading and writing in her free time. Worker of the Month honorees receive priority for jobs for three days. To see profiles of some of our past Workers of the Month, see our website, www.friendsofelsol.com.

El Sol launches a brand new presence on the Web El Sol has a brand new website to keep employers, volunteers, supporters and members of the community informed about what’s happening at the busy center.

The website, still at the addresses www.friendsofelsol.org and www.friendsofelsol.com, has current news and upcoming events, a page in which you can view paintings for sale by Sunshine Artworks artists, board of directors members’ profiles, and videos, including a short video on how to hire a worker.

A new online donation function allows El Sol supporters to donate online safely and efficiently using a credit card, through Network for Good.

The new website also features “Good Morning, El Sol!” a blog by El Sol Director Jocelyn Sabbagh.

Along with a new website, El Sol is stepping up its social networking presence with Facebook and Twitter pages, in an effort to reach as many supporters as possible.

Marcos Gaspar Marie Sulfrain

Find us on the Web at

www.friendsofelsol.com Follow us on Twitter at

http://twitter.com/ELSolJupiter Friend us on Facebook at

www.facebook.com and search for “El Sol Jupiter’s Neighborhood Resource Center”

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106 Military Trail

Jupiter FL 33458

Phone (561) 745-9860

Fax (561) 745-9834

www.friendsofelsol.org

El Sol Jupiter Neighborhood Resource Center

El Sol’s Hiring Hall is open

Monday – Saturday

6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Sunday

7:00 a.m. to 12 noon

El Sol Shines is published and

distributed via email and print nine times a year. To receive the newsletter, send a request to diane.fitzpatrick@mac.com.

Editor

Diane Laney Fitzpatrick

Communications Committee Chairman

Mike Richmond

Contributors

Mike Richmond

Royce Emley

Reca Fernandez

Jill Hanson

Lynn Hays

Sally Isham

Wilberto Luna

Jocelyn Sabbagh

Dora B. Valdivia

Follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/ELSolJupiter

Friend us on Facebook by searching for El Sol, Jupiter’s Neighborhood Resource Center

El Sol sews up a new program El Sol has long been known for its arts and crafts, but now it can add sewing to its many artistic programs. And this one doubles as a training center, teaching workers a new marketable skill. Associate Director Dora Valdivia and El Sol volunteer Mary Pat Donaldson are working to develop a new sewing center. The program will build skills and knowledge of sewing that will lead to vocational and entrepreneurial development and real life marketable skills. “The El Sol Sewing Center is an inspiring, empowering idea that will provide an opportunity for change, personal growth, independence and employment for the participants at El Sol,” said Ms. Donaldson. Workers will be trained in sewing skills with the objective of standardizing the level of skills in the trade. Phase II will be to open up the center as a place where you can get your sewing needs done (hemming, zippers, buttons, etc.) “We have interest, a plan, a format, students, and a teacher,” said Ms. Valdivia. “What we don't have are sewing machines and sewing supplies.” If you have a sewing machine in good working order that you’d like to donate, contact Dora at (561) 745-9860. The group will take any year or model, as long as they work well. In addition to sewing machines, the group is accepting donations of:

• Sewing machine accessories, such as extra presser feet • Sewing machine needles • Cotton fabric for sewing practice • Cotton or cotton/poly thread • Sharp scissors • Universal machine needles • A few new irons • New ironing board • Straight pins • Seam rippers • Measuring tapes – metric and inches

Dora Valdivia, associate director at El Sol, sets up a sewing machine in the new sewing center.