Lynn K. Loyd
Special to the Valley News
Each year local groups work together with the Murrieta Police Department to hold National Night Out; an event focused on creating safer communities and crime prevention. This year, Community Outreach Ministry, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping at-risk children, participated in the event; an event that was even more meaningful to the group because the ministry was recognized as the 2023 Nonprofit of the Year by Assemblywoman Kate Sanchez (D-71).
National Night Out 2023, held on Aug. 1, at Town Square Park is one of many events the nonprofit participates in as part of its overall goal to help children and youth who have one or both parents in prison to break the cycle. Actively involved in improving the lives of these at-risk kids for more than 20 years, the selfless efforts of co-founders Dr. Salomo-Davies and her husband Bob have not gone unnoticed.
The goal of the event is to offer crime prevention awareness along with support and participation in local anti-crime programs. According to Dr. Davies, an important goal is to organize neighbors to rally behind law enforcement. By doing so, a vital message is conveyed to everyone: together, we are all fighting back against crime. Together with many local organizations, businesses, and volunteers we were grateful to Coach Cynthia K. Duran of Sewing Stories making arts and crafts possible at our table which was very popular among the children. Jenny Bolaski said her Irish twins 15 months apart Noelle and Madeline were able to express their creativity through their artwork and the crafts were great for any age.
Community Outreach Ministry, a 501 C3 nonprofit public charity serving Southwest Riverside County regularly offers free National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) McGruff “Take a Bite out of Crime” educational tips addressing the causes of crime, drugs, and violence and reducing the opportunities for crime to occur. The McGruff tips serve as effective tools to assist both parents and caretakers of at-risk youth in teaching children about alcohol, tobacco, drugs, and warning signs of drug use. According to NCPC and McGruff, “research shows that kids who use just one of these substances are more likely to use more dangerous drugs later on in life.” Included in the crime prevention tips is also the following: Helping Your Children with Bullies, Gun Safety, Neighborhood Safety, and Cyber Safety. Children were also fingerprinted in their Personal Child Identification Kits by Esabella Infante, a high school student earning community service credit for graduation. Youngsters also received SAFE KIDS coloring books and crayons.
In June, the California Association of Nonprofits celebrated California Nonprofits Day in conjunction with the California State Legislature, and in recognition of its outstanding record of community support, Community Outreach Ministry was honored as the 71st Assembly District’s 2023 Nonprofit of the Year and is deserving of special public recognition for their support diverting at-risk youth from crime and delinquency through their outreach, camping, mentoring and Annual Angel Tree Christmas Party programs. These intervention programs are giving at-risk kids a second chance to be winners and champions.
Community Outreach Ministry is seeking sponsors to contribute warm hoodies for teens sizes Large, XL, and XXL. Hoodies will be given on behalf of the youth’s incarcerated parents and will be presented at the 23rd Annual Angel Tree Christmas Party on Saturday, Dec. 16 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Gateway Nazarene Church, 23560 Jefferson Avenue, Murrieta, CA. 92562.
The ministry welcomes readers to visit its website where donations can also be made at www.communityoutreachministry.org. Checks may also be mailed to the organization and made payable to “Community Outreach Ministry” at 23905 Clinton Keith Road Suite 114 #116, Wildomar, CA. 92595. Feel free to contact the Davies via office phone 951-698-7650 or mobile 951-231-5515 or by email at info@communityoutreachministry.org.
Submitted by Community Outreach Ministry.
