Green Pastures Home - www.greenpastureshome.org

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Green Pastures Home - www.greenpastureshome.org

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Started 2 years ago by NOlsonMD
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NOlsonMD
Administrator

GREEN PASTURES HOME - http://www.greenpastureshome.org
Green Pastures is a state-licensed non-profit Christian group home for disabled children, founded in 1977, where six disabled children live on a long-term basis and where the office is located. Families with disabled children sometimes find themselves unable to meet the child's needs, and must place the child in a residential facility. Sometimes, given the necessary support, these children have been able to return to their families. Our four-bedroom home is located in Mountain View, and our 'family' is fully included as one of the families on our friendly, kid-focused cul-de-sac.

730 Cornelia Court
Mountain View, CA, 94040
650-965-2333
http://www.greenpastureshome.org
Email: GreenPasturesHome@gmail.com; Home Administrator: Sue Holdener

-In addition to the 6 children we parent full-time, we provide short-term care for children who live at home--giving the parents a much needed break. Our "respite workers", as they're called, often develop long term relationships with these families, while providing the care in the child's own home.
-We provide out-of-home placement services
-We conduct respite training to groups who are interested in learning to care for those who have a disability.
Traumatic Brain Injury
Spina Bifida
Seizure Disorder / Epilepsy
Premature Birth
Pervasive Developmental Disorder
Orthopedic Disabilities
Neurological Disorders
Muscular Dystrophy
Mental Retardation
Hydrocephalus
Genetic Disorder
Down Syndrome
Congenital Disorders
Cleft Lip / Palate
Cerebral Palsy
Central Nervous System Disorders

We have a wonderful church outreach video that can be viewed online. Click one of the links to view: Quicktime | Windows Media

Special needs
Tickets to sporting, music and entertainment events, e.g. Raiders tickets
Household needs
Late model mini-van with wheelchair lift or ramp (our current van is a 1988 model): ($30,000)
A new, play structure for the back yard: ($3,000)
Summer camp: ($2000)
Razor (or similar heavy duty) scooter: ($30)
Stationary exercise bike
Digital projector for Respite and Disability Awareness presentations: ($250)
Clothing for teenagers (please talk to us first)
LeapPad game cartridges and books
CD player with headphone jack.
Puzzles from 24 to 100 pieces
Food processor
Macintosh computer running OS 10Sandwich bags
Huggie Diaper wipes (rectangle tubs and refills)
Lysol
liquid laundry detergent
13-gallon drawstring garbage bags
paper towels
toilet paper
Dove liquid body wash
DC, AAA, 9-volt & AA batteries
canned soup
fruits & veggies
mac & cheese
Sandwich bags
Huggie diaper wipes (refills and rectangular tubs)
Lysol
Liquid laundry detergent

Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteer help is central to the nurturing of the children and the overall operation of Green Pastures. While helping us out, friends who volunteer at Green Pastures soon develop a more compassionate understanding and keen appreciation for people with disabilities. Volunteers are involved in many different aspects of the home, utilizing their individual talents and knowledge.
New volunteers are always welcome -- young and old alike. There is a special "niche" for each and every volunteer in which they can make a unique contribution.
If you would like to volunteer at Green Pastures, please contact Ed Lewis by phone or email.
Employment and Volunteers:
Ed Lewis
Edward75_99@yahoo.com
Assisting our children with their care, homework, play, computer and board games, and Saturday outings.
Household maintenance, yard care, and keeping our vans clean inside and out.
Office work—computer work, telephone calls.
Work parties/groups.
Thursday meal providers—make a home cooked meal and bring it once a quarter.
Database consultant—automating our receipting process would save us a great deal of time.
Someone to join us for afternoon or evening family/devotional times to play music (piano, guitar, etc.) and help us to sing.
Once or twice a month help in cleaning our two vans inside and out.

Subject: Respite Saturday volunteer for Grace Luth.
Date: October 7, 2009 4:08:50 PM PDT
To: Edward75_99@yahoo.com

Hi Ed, 10/7/09

I'm a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Palo Alto.

25 members (including me) met at Grace with Debbie Lilo and 8 of your kids on a Saturday in 2007. Everyone had a good time. We never did it again.

Do you still have need for such "outings" with some caring adults? I think we could easily get volunteers to come to our church campus for a repeat of what we did 2 years ago.

I left a phone message on Sue's recorder and maybe also on yours.

Dr. Norman Olson
NOlsonMD@aol.cm
(650) 321-9663

Staffing needs
Full and part-time childcare staff - learn more
Financial needs
with PayPal
Your financial support for the Green Pastures’ Home and Family Support ministries. more...

Posted 2 years ago #
NOlsonMD
Administrator

I visited the Green Pastures Home office/residence, 9/10/09, almost next door to the home of Carol & John Patterson's home, and Ed directed me back to Debbie Lillo, our previous contact, who is still arranging church programs for respite care, but now doing it through “Joni and Friends.”

Dr. Norman Olson
NOlsonMD@aol.cm
(650) 321-9663

JONI AND FRIENDS (Debbie's new association in helping with church respite care for the diabled, as Green Pastures Home stopped offering this program) - http://www.joniandfriends.org

Joni and Friends San Francisco Bay Area
The Northern California office of Joni and Friends is located in the San Francisco Bay Area and has served families affected by disabilities since 1995. We have worked with those having all types of disabilities in all age ranges, providing education, respite and connections.
Our Mission
As a Christian organization our mission has been to connect families with Christ, equip churches to serve the disabled and spread awareness about disabilities in the San Francisco Bay Area, Northern California and around the world.
Making Connections
We invite you to contact us to learn more about our organization and the programs we offer.
As always we stand ready to come along side you, your church and the growing number of people and families affected by disabilities.
Programs and Services
Family Retreats ñ a five day long camp that provides respite, relaxation and support for families affected by disability while encountering a family camp environment.
2009 Family Retreat Dates!! June 8-12 and July 20-24! For more information and application click here
Wheels for the World ñ Join our team as we collect used wheelchairs, walkers, metal canes and crutches from our local community. These items are restored to like new condition, shipped, distributed and therapeutically fit to individuals affected by disability in developing countries with God's love. The S.F. Bay area ministry serves the people of Thailand.
Special Delivery ñ We partner with local churches and Christian ministries by offering faith based Christian materials that provide encouragement and the hope of Jesus Christ to those with disabilities and their families. We often deliver to individuals, skilled nursing facilities and rehabilitation centers.
Through the Roof ñ We provide Disability Awareness training and instruction to churches, schools and any other organizations in order to educate and encourage ministry to those with disabilities in the community.
Disability Network Meetings ñ We facilitate quarterly network meetings with local churches around the greater Bay Area to help organize leaders to help grow disability outreach. We hope you consider joining us!
Respite Events
More and more churches our partnering with us to offer respite events to families affected by disability. Respite events are a wonderful outreach to families affected by disability by providing an incredible service to exhausted parents. Families drop off their children, those with special needs and non-disabled siblings, for three to four hour of free care. Loving volunteers step out of their comfort zones and into the security of a well planned event while in the company of their friends and supportive staff. The children put them at ease and instantly melt their hearts! For a list of upcoming respite dates, click on "upcoming events."
More
Do you have a question or a need?
Would you like to know about our upcoming events?
Would you like to receive our newsletter?
Would you like to learn more about equipping your church?
Would you like to know about our volunteer opportunities?
Would you like to join our prayer team?

10/14/09 PC w Debbie Lillo. She worked with Green Pastures Home 5 years. She was just beginning the respite programs in the South Bay and Peninsula area when she came to Grace, and we were only her 5th such church respite event. She's done over 30 since then. She now writes, educates, and works for Joni and Friends, an International Christian organization advocating for families (dealing with children and adults) with disabilities, “exactly the same thing.” Jeff, who accompanied her at the Grace event, also went on elsewhere, into physical therapy work. GP Home no longer sponsors respite days by volunteers, but it is expanding its other services and has plans to buy a second house for residential care. Debbie works from home, does programs at many churches, and still is in contact with and cooperates with GPH. She maintains the same emphasis on guiding churches to be “more welcoming congregations,” to people of all ages with disabilities. She mentioned Bridgeway Community (Baptist) Church, 2490 Middlefield Rd.,
Palo Alto, CA 94301 - site of previous Nazarene Church) not far from Grace, with a smaller, younger congregation than at Grace, and with a special interest in people with disabilities. Debbie asks, "Could Grace cooperate with them in having a respite day????"

Norm, 10/13/09

I am working from home today because of the storm, and would love to
talk with you in "real time". Give me a call on the number you used last
night: 408-252-4160. I'm delighted that you would like to do respite
events on a regular basis. Yes, it is always WONDERFUL when the youth
get involved. I think it would be especially helpful for your
congregation. I would be happy to find a time to meet with your youth
director personally, if you think that would help.

The good news is, dates are harder to schedule now that respite is
really taking off in the churches--I'm being pulled all over to help
start events, which is a real blessing! Looking at my calendar: It's
getting to be a little late to pull off a November date, and Advent can
be a little tricky (although a wonderful treat for the parents.) It
looks like the 2nd Saturday of Advent is open for me to help if you'd
like to consider that. The 9th or 16th of January could also work for
an event (You would want to give a week or two after New year's and I am
helping a Los Altos church with an event the 23rd and may be running a
mini-conference on the 30th) Then maybe you could look at April
sometime for the follow-up.....

Norm, I also have something for you to consider: given the demographics
of your church, I came away from our first event wondering if you might
be a church that is better suited for some sort of outreach to young
adults/adults with disability. Those caregivers need breaks, too, and
there is very little for them done by the church. I have been looking
for churches to consider being pioneers for that sort of an outreach,
and yours might be a good one. It would take a little less "chasing"
and would also be a great thing to involve the youth of your church
with--they could become mentors to the young people you serve.

Call me when you get a chance. I am praying for us to have clear
direction and for God to bless your sweet church's tender heart.

Blessings,
Debbie

Debbie Lillo
Church Relations Coordinator
Joni and Friends S.F. Bay Area
3553 Castro Valley Blvd., Suite A
Castro Valley, CA 94546
Home Office: 408-517-0931
(510) 727-8845 Fax (510)247-1241
http://www.joniandfriends.org

Posted 2 years ago #

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