The Clara White Mission

 Seeking To Help Others

   The daily meals program provides food for almost 400 homeless and disadvantaged people. To participate in the transitional housing program you must be a participant of the Culinary Arts School program. You can stay in the housing for up to two years. But, an estimated stay is about six months. The drop-in center is where the needy can spend a day at the mission having refreshments, refreshing showers, use laundry facilities, and where they can have telephone and computer access and referral services. Last but not least, the mailing services can be used for the homeless to use the missions address to receive mail. 

   The volunteers of the Clara White Mission help out with many different things. They help in programs to give service to the youth and keep them from producing bad behaviors which is called "Greater Expectations". "Feed the city" is when the volunteers feed the homeless a Thanksgiving dinner. The Culinary Arts School is used for food drives to help the homeless learn a new skill. "The Friends of Clara White Mission" help to raise money through fundraisers for the mission. And once again the volunteers obviously help in serving food for the homeless and disabled daily. 

     Every year the LaVilla Jazz Band plays at the Clara White Mission at a fundraiser called the Celebrity Chefs luncheon. Chefs from many places, like Carrabba's and B.B.'s, donates food for the luncheon. The supporters buy tickets and our school donates their musical talent so many others will buy tickets. Three of our jazz students who played at the event last spring gave their perspectives on what it felt like to play at the mission. "It made me feel really excited because I was helping the elderly," says Kelly Kenner. "I got a very warm feeling inside because I knew I was making others happy," says David Smith.

By Kirbie Caruso