Tag Archives: Homeless

TWENTY POUND CHARITY TOY DRIVE



I am planning my twenty pound charity, and decided to do something that was a perfect fit for December and the season of joy. I decided to do a toy drive for Alexandria House, with the recommendation of a dear friend named Dawn who attends Richard Simmons. I am grateful for her friendship and support. 

Here is some information on Alexandria House below. I am organizing my twenty pound charity at my place of employment, Seasons 52 in Century City, CA. with the help of my amazing management and co workers. I am grateful for the support and everyone who is so kind to give a toy to a child at this time of year. My co-worker and friend Meagan and I are delivering the toys December 23rd. I will post more information later this week. The toys are starting to accumulate, and I am really excited. I am beyond grateful and moved to have such kind people in my corner and thank you to Michele and Judy at Alexandria House.
Namaste’
Happy Monday
Rose




Mission

 Response to the compelling needs of the women and


 children living in the house, as well as the 

 neighborhood needs before us each day, the goal of

 Alexandria House is to be a community-oriented

 transitional house and neighborhood center which is

 intentionally multicultural, antiracist and where the

 needs of women who are economically poor are

 central.

 We are supported by a community of caring


 individuals and groups who share our mission.
 Company Overview

 Founded in 1996, Alexandria House is a non-profit 


 transitional residence and house of hospitality

 providing safe and supportive housing for women and

 children in the process of moving from emergency

 shelter to permanent housing. Located in the densely

 populated and ethnically diverse Mid-Wilshire area,

 Alexandria House also serves its broader 

 neighborhood community by providing educational 

 and enrichment opportunities for residents and

 neighbors alike.


BRIE BEACH SANDWICH

When we are born our first bout with individuality is when our parents bestow upon us the gift of a name. What is in a name? Does a name define who we are or how we are perceived by others?  What about those souls who are lost to their families, perhaps they ended up homeless and one day when their time was up they couldn’t be identified? They are just as much a human as anyone else but because their “name” was not known they were coldly stamped John or Jane Doe. 

This is a subject that is near and dear to my heart and one of the reasons I have chosen to assist The Monday Night Mission on my My Change For A Ten project when I lose my first ten pounds. I am so close, at nine pounds at the moment. I am hoping to make the ten pound loss Tuesday and then I will set the date when I will visit and assist The Monday Night Mission.

WALK IN EMPATHY
Step into my worn shoes,
How would you feel?
When People walk by,
Forgetting you are real.
Beyond your reach,
The hopes of a warm meal;
Or a place to lay your head,
To let your weary body heal.
Your spirit is broken,
Yet your head held high;
Only to be ignored,
By oblivious eyes.
A face with no name,
Is what they see;
Unloved, forgotten,
Throughout society.
Such lonely solitude,
Unanswered prayers;
Hopelessness and sorrow,
But no one cares.
Who will miss you
When it’s your time to go?
Will anyone remember,
Your name is not John Doe.
© Rose Bruno Bailey

The name Rose has caused many a remark from people when they first meet me. Usually it is the standard ” that is my great great grandmother’s name;” thanks a lot pal, for making me feel ancient. Or sometimes it is the cheesy “oh Rose, the name of beauty, the flower, by some guy dripping in too many chains and men’s cologne.” When the movie Titanic premiered I got lots of “never let go Rose.”  When I first met my husband he actually believed I gave him a fake name.


My husband and I bought a cooler, beach chairs and other things because we want to start having picnics at the beach. I know it is late in the season, but this is Southern California and we can picnic at the beach pretty much any time of the year. I was trying to figure out healthy sandwiches for me to take, that are not full of all the sodium that comes with cold cuts from a deli. This is what I thought would be the perfect beach sandwich for me and my healthy lifestyle.

That brings me to the origin of the Sandwich. It was named after John Montague, 4th Earl of Sandwich, he was  an 18th-century English aristocrat. Apparently he requested his valet bring him his meat inside two slices of bread. He was playing cards and wished not to get his hands greasy. Soon others followed suit requesting to have what Sandwich had.
Many sandwiches over the years have gained individual names of their own. The BLT, The French Dip, The Dagwood, The Club Sandwich to name a few.

This inspired me to make my favorite sandwich to take on my autumn picnics for my outings to the shore. Malibu breeze and a delicious light sandwich to feed my senses. I first had this unusual yet simple sandwich at my friend Marguerite’s house back in Cleveland, Ohio. Marguerite was French,world traveled, sophisticated, and whimsical. She sliced a french baguette, and spread some Dijon mustard on both sides. Then she topped it off with thinly sliced green apples and sharp cheddar cheese. My version is a bit more gourmet, but in honour of my long lost friend.  I have decided to name it THE MARGUERITE. A whimsical, sophisticated sandwich with a french origin just like it’s name sake.



You will need for one MARGUERITE

A  good french baguette or whole grain baguette

Extra virgin olive oil.

One green apple, sliced thin.

Brie cheese, enough to spread on both sides of the baguette. I use a small portion for mine.

Arugula, a generous handful

Toasted pecans( lightly spray cooking spray on a cookie sheet. Place pecans on sheet,and toast for five minutes in an oven set at 350 degrees for about five minutes). Just a few on mine, I have to watch portions.

Drizzle of balsamic vinegar, and extra virgin olive oil, and a teaspoon of a good Dijon mustard.

Drizzle olive oil on baguette and place on a cookie sheet in a pre-heated oven set at 400 degrees.Bake baguette for about ten minutes til crusty.

Spread Dijon on both sides of the baguette.

Spread a generous amount of brie on each side of the baguette.

Top brie with a handful of the toasted pecans, spread them in the brie so they are firm in the sandwich.

Place thin slices of apple on one side of the baguette in a uniform line.

Top it off with a generous handful of fresh arugula.

Drizzle balsamic vinegar on the arugula,and a bit of sea salt and ground pepper.You may wish to use a bit more olive oil, the choice is up to you. I think the olive oil on the baguette suffices but again individuality comes first. It is your Marguerite Sandwich.

Close tightly, slice in half, and enjoy this distinctive yet delish sandwich which is reminiscent of  walking barefoot in a field in Paris during springtime in a Monet painting.
Oh la la c’est marveilleux


MONDAY WEIGH IN AND WISDOM



Today is Monday, and my first weigh in. Monday and weight, two things that are not so popular, but I am totally excited for my first weigh in. Monday, well I am a little sleepy thanks to our two Siamese cats Spanky and Rascal. They think three am is jungle gym time. Let’s just say the little Rascals are not so popular with me this morning as I make my way to begin my day and week. They are our babies but for some reason they only mess with me at night, and not my husband. Coffee is definitely needed today. I feel I had a successful week but I will see what the scale says later after work. Tomorrow is my second workout with Mike, my trainer/friend. This is a commitment but one that makes me happy and totally inspired and motivated. Bring it on, burpees and all.

After my first ten pounds I am volunteering with the Monday Night Mission, and donating food. I wrote a post about all of the wonderful selfless acts they do to keep the people at Skid Row in Los Angeles from being hungry. They are a blessing to the people of Skid Row and I am humbled by all that they do.

Homeless people have always touched my heart, and the fact that it could be anyone. No one on this earth is better than you or me, we are all the same. I was in NYC and I saw an older homeless woman crying on the street, and that night I wrote this poem. I do not rhyme usually but this one came to me in a rhyme. Remember, everyone has a story and everyone is someone important in the scheme of life. We are all one, we are all connected.
Namaste’
Rose

WALK IN EMPATHY
Step into my worn shoes,
How would you feel?
When People walk by,
Forgetting you are real.
Beyond your reach,
Hopes of a warm meal;
Or a place to lay your head,
To let your weary body heal.
Your spirit is broken,
But your head held high;
Only to be ignored,
By oblivious eyes.
A face with no name,
Is what they see;
Unloved, forgotten,
Throughout society.
Such lonely solitude,
Unanswered prayers;
Hopelessness and sorrow,
Does no one care?
Who will miss you
When it’s your time to go?
Will anyone remember,
Your name is not John Doe.
Rose Bruno Bailey





MONDAY NIGHT MISSION, FIRST TEN POUNDS


I have chosen my organization I intend to sponsor when I get to my ten pound goal. The Monday Night Mission has really made an impact on me. I follow their Facebook page and the selfless kind acts they do for the residents at Skid Row in Los Angeles are awe inspiring to me. I have wanted to get involved for some time, so picking their wonderful cause is a natural choice for me. Here is some information on wonderful things they do to make a difference in the world. I am humbled by all that they do and  I wish to personally thank Mel at the Monday Night Mission.

I am going to volunteer my time and donate food. I work in a restaurant and they have offered to help me by donating food as well. I have friends who wish to join me and get involved. It will be an  honor to serve the residents of Skid Row. I am getting healthy and joining in with the best people of Los Angeles to make a difference, what a win win. 

You must be the change you wish to see in the world.


ABOUT THE MONDAY NIGHT MISSION

We meet every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday night to feed our Homeless Brothers and Sisters on Skid-row. Please click the about button below for full details and info on how to join us.
Mission

The sole aim of Monday Night Mission is to feed the less fortunate of Skid-Row who are turned away from Skid-Row shelters.

Company Overview

We feed our Homeless Brothers and Sisters on Skid-row every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday night.
We meet at the Burger King at 7.30pm at 700 West Cesar e Chavez ave, Los Angeles CA 90012.

Please text (310) 926-6675 for more information or email [email protected] Please let us now via this page if you intend on joining us!

General Information
Monday Night Mission

About

The sole aim of Monday Night Mission is to feed the less fortunate of Skid Row who are unable to find housing or are turned away from shelters.

We meet every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday night to feed our homeless brothers and sisters on Skid Row. We meet at the Burger King at 7:30 p.m. at:

700 West Cesar E Chavez Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90012

We will then prepare food, organize car pools, and aim head to Skid Row. Anyone and everyone is welcome! Don’t worry about what you can or cannot bring! Bring yourself! Please let us know if you plan on joining us by leaving a comment on this page! Text Mel at 310-926-6675 or email him at [email protected] if you’d like more information.

Please wear close-toed footwear and be prepared for cold or rainy weather. If you would like to bring food, below is a list of food items that can always be used, however, anything you can contribute is appreciated and will make a difference! We aim to feed anywhere from 150 to 350 people every night, but the numbers will vary.

Also, please feel free to bring any clothing items, blankets, toiletries, etc. you would like to donate.

Useful Food Items

Pasta
Sandwiches
Loaves of bread
Peanut Butter
Jelly
Lunch meats
Mayonnaise
Fruit
Packaged snacks
Bottled water

You MUST let us know if you plan on joining us, and you must arrive by 7:30 p.m. If you plan on coming, you can inform us by commenting on our Facebook page or by emailing Mel at [email protected].

We are a non-registered, non-profit organization and don’t accept any monetary donations. We are nondenominational and unaffiliated with any other non-profit or religious organization.