In 2023, the Vestry formed a task force “to explore and discern the future relationship between Our Saviour Center (OSC) and Church of Our Saviour.” At a Forum last November 19, co-chairs of our task force provided an exciting update on the very promising path ahead.
Task Force Findings
Parishioners John Ballance and Russ Case worked with co-chairs Dennis Duling and Brenda Maceo to explore potential paths for Our Saviour Center’s becoming financially and operationally viable, considering the Church’s discontinuation of ongoing financial support.
The task force conducted interviews, met with staff, studied financials, contracts and grants, talked with funding partners, and considered an array of options from continuing the status quo to new partnerships or models, to whether it would be necessary to wind down operations.
Amid months of research and discussions, the task force encountered very enthusiastic community partners who were committed to ongoing funding and eager to see the expansion of services, due in large part to the excellence of longtime staff members Jose Vega and Marguerite Ponce.
Among the highlights:
East Valley Health Center renewed its lease to operate the medical clinic and signed an additional lease, expanding services to include OB/Gyn, which will generate nearly $100,000 in new annual lease income
El Monte City School District renewed its partnership commitment and asked for exploration of new pilot programs that would increase services to children and families
Staff secured two major grants, a three-year grant from Best Buy to establish a “Teen Tech Center” at the Dorris Dann Kids Campus and a grant valued at nearly $100,000 to support food bank operations
With these renewed commitments, the task force engaged an experienced consultant, Danny Henley, who has worked previously with both the El Monte School District and the Jeff Seymour Center in El Monte. Danny is now working alongside OSC staff and partners to determine future programming and funding. An advisory committee will also be reconstituted in the coming weeks and will include representatives from the El Monte School District as well as the COS Vestry.
Our Saviour Center Background
OSC was established in 1984 in El Monte as an outreach ministry of Church of Our Saviour to provide caring service to the region’s most vulnerable families. OSC started as a group of parishioners who made and delivered brown bag meals at a makeshift foodbank. Over the years, OSC grew to offer a wide array of services including the county’s fifth largest food bank, a medical clinic (now operated independently), emergency shelter, free soccer programs, and its flagship Dorris Dann Kids Campus, which is named for OSC’s longtime leader.
The Task Force members would like to thank the Vestry, parishioners, donors, and all the OSC staff for trusting us to help guide the future of this amazing, life-changing ministry. Look for more exciting updates and ways you can get involved soon!