Holidays
CREATING A
MAGICAL SEASON
t
he holiday season is a
time of hope, joy and love
for families across the
world. For those living
on the streets, however,
the holiday season can be a difficult
time that amplifies the bleak realities
of homelessness. With day-to-day
survival being the main focus of any
parent in that desperate situation,
the holidays can become a distant
afterthought and the magic of
Christmas is lost.
34 GBSAN.COM | DECEMBER 2019
For decades, Father Joe’s Villages has been ensuring that families and children
experiencing homelessness enjoy a special Christmas.
Every year, Father Joe’s Villages’ dedicated Ladies Guild members fund gift giving
and present wrapping for children living in the organization’s housing programs. On
two days in December, parents shop side by side with a Ladies Guild member picking
out gifts for their children. This shopping trip allows parents to pick out the perfect
presents for their kids and have a hand in creating Christmas magic. After shopping,
the Ladies Guild and parents come together to wrap the gifts for Christmas morning.
Father Joe’s Villages Therapeutic Childcare Center also organizes festive activities
that provide holiday cheer for children in need. The Therapeutic Childcare Center is
a state-licensed childcare facility offering integrated services that address behavioral,
developmental, medical and dental needs - all in one location. The center’s dedicated