Among the many community organizations that AMS Fulfillment supports is the Santa Clarita Valley homeless service agency, Bridge to Home. Not only does Bridge to Home provide emergency winter shelter from November to March, they provide an exceptional shelter; safe, warm, welcoming, with beds, showers and three meals. Additional vital services are offered as well, including the opportunity to receive case management, health services and referrals for additional programs including job placement.
Recently AMS contributed two carloads full of canned goods, personal items, clothing, towels and bedding to support Bridge to Home’s programs. The contribution was collected by Justin and the crew at the AMS Witherspoon Parkway warehouse.
The inspiration came from AMS’ Senior Billing and Purchasing Coordinator, Graydon Kouri. Graydon has been volunteering at Bridge to Home for some time, helping compile personal hygiene kits with his daughters Cheyenne and Layal Kouri, also AMS employees. He, along with the AMS executive team and warehouse managers organized the company-wide clothing and canned goods drive.
Area churches and volunteer organizations deliver packed lunches to Bridge to Home and serve the guests warm meals every Tuesday through Friday evening. Social workers are on site each night to provide support, and the showers and air-conditioned buildings provide welcome comfort and relief. Graydon drives the Bridge to Home van once a week to transport guests to and from the shelter’s evening meal and social gathering. There is a new ordinance that restricts the locations homeless individuals are permitted to be, so the need for the services offered by Bridge to Home has become even more critical.
Santa Clarita’s homeless population is growing. Sadly, homeless individuals in Santa Clarita have lost their lives from illness and exposure to the weather. These tragic losses serve to increase the dedication and drive to help Santa Clarita’s homeless residents, assisting them to transition out of homelessness. Key goals of Bridge to Home include further expansion of services to include job resources and placement and access to affordable housing.
AMS Executives Betty-Lou Wiseman, Ken Wiseman and Jay Catlin are committed to being a dynamic resource for aid throughout the community. Job resources and placement is where AMS Fulfillment has proven itself to be of great benefit to so many in the SCV community. Management and employees of AMS are proud of the company’s commitment to the community, and grateful for the opportunity to serve the homeless with food and other useful items that are needed as well.
Bridge to Home needs donations of food, paper products, toiletries, and office supplies. Donations of goods will be accepted from 6:30 to 8:00p.m. Tuesday through Friday at the Winter Shelter: 23031 Drayton Street, Santa Clarita, CA 91350. Urgent needs include Umbrellas, Individual size hand wipes, Sugar, Creamer, Men’s white T-shirts, Men’s boxers, Men’s boxer briefs, Razors and Lysol Wipes.
Photos: The AMS Crew at work!
Justin & Maria – WIT Warehouse
Eric – HQ Warehouse
Greg – SCO3 Warehouse
Justin – WIT2 Warehouse
Oscar – WIL Warehouse