Home for the Holidays - Sonoma County

The Welcoming for this family was sponsored by St. Andrew Presbyterian Church in Sonoma. Brook and her son (11) and daughter (13) were referred to St. Andrew Presbyterian Church by Welcoming Home and Jewish Family and Children’s Services of Sonoma. For the last three years, Brook and her family have been on the move as they evaded an abusive relationship. Brook is originally from Sonoma County and wanted to return here to get a fresh start and to be able to give her children a stable and safe home.

Thanks to help from Jewish Family and Children’s Services, Brook was able to get her Massage Degree. She has already found work in Sonoma as a licensed massage therapist, with expertise in various types of massage. She is also a yoga teacher and is building a solid client base in both massage therapy and yoga. Her passion lies in Indian healing practices. She makes Ayurvedic products, which one can learn about on her website, www.pranabee.net.

Brook was finally able to find a home and moved in with her children a couple of weeks ago. At this point, though, she has no furniture. Brook is so grateful to the St. Andrew Presbyterian Church community for sponsoring the furnishing and outfitting of her home through local non-profit Welcoming Home. 

St. Andrew’s sponsorship of a family through the Welcoming Home charitable program became a reality on Saturday, December 11th. To learn more about sponsoring a family, click here.

Brook and her two children arrived to find their three bedroom apartment fully furnished, down to fresh flowers and art on the walls. The 11 year old son had a spider-man comforter on the bed, the 13 year old daughter found stars twinkling through her lamps, and mother Brook found her favorite color, purple, adorning her bed. In fact purple was to be found  in the new shower curtain, couch pillows and even the kitchen placemats. Desks and dressers for all, a fully outfitted kitchen, an inviting dining table and couches all made for a cozy place for the family to gather and relax. Amazingly, it all came together in one day, due to the generosity and love of the St Andrew congregation.  

Welcoming Home would like to express our gratitude to the St. Andrew congregation for all the hard work and donations that gave this family a fresh start.