After all of the masses on the weekend of November 23rd and 24th, you will have the chance to purchase hand crafted gifts, brought to CCOP by Concern America.  Sales will take place in the vestibules of both churches. 
     

Concern America is an international development and refugee aid organization that assists impoverished communities and refugees in developing countries to improve their living conditions.  One of their efforts involves the formation of income-generating cooperatives to produce hand-made crafts.  These items will be available in the back of the church for purchase, and make great Christmas gifts!

  
Concern America's Marketplace of Fair Trade Craft program serves several functions. It provides direct assistance to needy families by creating dependable markets and fair prices, which reinforce self-reliance and initiative. Since many producers of handcrafts are women, often single heads of families, the craft program also targets a segment of the population that traditionally has had difficulty obtaining employment. Handcraft production can often be done at home and thus allows mothers to earn a living while caring for their children. By making it possible for artisans to earn a decent living from handcraft production, Concern America also helps preserve traditional culture.

  
Concern America sponsors other programs emphasize training of community members wherever possible, in order to impart skills and knowledge which remain with the community. The training covers: preventive health care, appropriate technology, and education. Concern America operates predominantly in Mexico and Central America but also in Africa and Asia.

  
From the Concern America web site: www.concernamerica.org

 
Parents provide a crucial role beyond providing basic shelter and food. Parents nurture and guide their children, help them through life experiences, and provide encouragement and love. Now imagine what it's like to be a child in foster care. These youth lack the support and loving presence of family members who can provide them with the nurturing and guidance they need.

 
Each year approximately 25,000 California children enter foster care. More than 6,000 children in the San Francisco Bay Area require foster care, and few if any counties have enough foster parents to fill the need. As a response to this crisis, Seneca Family of Agencies recruits, trains and supports foster parents who work in tandem with our team of social workers and clinicians to provide unconditional care to high-needs Bay Area foster youth.

  
Please consider learning more about becoming a foster parent and helping California's youth succeed. For more information, visit Seneca's website at link.

 
Information about foster care from California's Department of Social Services is available at link