our saviour
center

From Bible Study
to Witness

The genesis of Our Saviour Center was a Bethel Bible Class that was held at the Church of Our Saviour in the early 1980s. This two-year class provided a scholarly understanding of the Bible and, through thatunderstanding, a means to encounter the Living Christ. From this class two central questions emerged: “who are our neighbors and how can we best serve them?” This question was initially answered when a group from this class decided to provide food to the needy in El Monte in 1985… Our Saviour Center was born. As a response to that question, the simple mission of Our Saviour Center is to… “share love, hope and resources to our neighbors in need.”

The Mustard Seed Grows

Starting off as a hot lunch program for the hungry, the services of the Center expanded to address the myriad needs of the poor and low income. Our weekly congregate feeding program eventually evolved into a food pantry thatis open twice a week serving thousands of families and providing hundreds of tons of food annually. Our Food Pantry is now one of the largest food distribution sites in the San Gabriel Valley, providing food to over 10,000 men, women and children annually. We also, over time, initiated new programs and services in response to the many conditions faced by the poor in our community.

We also provide temporary emergency shelter, especially for families with children; we offer adult computer classes in partnership with the El Monte Rosemead Adult School; and with the help of Hillsides Home for Children, we provide parenting classes.

In 1999, we opened the Cleaver Family Wellness Clinic at our newly built Cleaver-Bird Facility, which is on the grounds of Immanuel Episcopal Mission. Longtime parishioners Vera Cleaver and Beatrice B. Bird made it possible for the Center to open the clinic, adult computer learning center and administrative offices. Ms. Vera Cleaver was a pioneering healthcare worker – she was among the first female podiatrists in California. Vera believed that healthcare should be available to all. Our doctor and clinic staff continues her caring vision by providing individualized medical care for those with limited or no healthcare coverage.

The Center has always considered the children in our community the best means of transforming our neighborhoods. Youth programs have always been an integral part the Center’s work. In 2006, we greatly expanded our ability to support youngsters through the building of our Kids Campus. Located five blocks from our Cleaver-Bird Facility, our 18,000 sq. ft. youth dedicated facility supports the aspirations of our youth and equips them to be the future agents of change in this community. The vision of our Kids Campus is to provide comprehensive programming through academic supports; physical activities; the promotion of health; outlets of creativity and just fun stuff for kids to do.

You are the heart of Our Saviour Center!

Since our founding in 1985, the Church of Our Saviour has been an integral part of our development. It began when people asked “who are our neighbors and how can we best serve them?” Throughout our history people have attempted to answer these questions by participating in our programs. We encourage you to discover your own answer at Our Saviour Center!
Volunteer at our Food Pantry: greet clients, sort our client files, or by packing food bags.

Support our Kids Campus programs – by mentoring and tutoring kids; coaching sports activities; teaching valuable skills; and instilling confidence.

Help the Center with professional assistance and talents such as medical practitioners; lawyers; graphic artists; media and communications; educators; coaching and sports training; web and digital arts gurus; an eye for gardening or pruning; etc.

Provide needed supplies and equipment: food donations; school materials; hygiene products for homeless clients (clean white socks, toothpaste, soap, etc.); baby care items (diapers, formula, food); etc.
Donate to the Our Saviour Center to continue our programs and services to the poor and needy.

Please remember that there is a “u” in Saviour and that without “you” there is no Our Saviour Center.