A Happy Holiday Season Awaits Hundreds of At-Risk Youth

EVENT PRESS RELEASE
CONTACT INFORMATION
Media Contact: Dr. Mona Salomo-Davies
Phone: 951-698-7650
E-mail: info@communityoutreachministry.org
Website: www.communityoutreachministry.org
Photos: Courtesy of Community Outreach Ministry
October 30, 2023 The upcoming holiday season will be filled with cheer for up to 200 at-risk youth thanks to the tireless efforts of Community Outreach Ministry, a nonprofit organization co-founded in 2000 by Dr. Mona and Bob Davies. Children who have one or both parents in prison and live in Southwest Riverside County will receive donated Christmas gifts from sponsors in a party setting on December 16. The ministry has helped thousands of at-risk youth over the decades break the cycle of drug use, criminal activity and incarceration that has befallen their parents through innovative intervention programs designed specifically to help these children.

Community Outreach Ministry together with Angel Tree a Program of Prison Fellowship -- a nonprofit group that provides assistance to prisoners, former prisoners and their families -- will host the 23rd annual Angel Tree Christmas Party that is by invitation only. It will take place at Gateway Church of the Nazarene, 23560 Jefferson Avenue in Murrieta from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The goal is to reach out to children between the ages of 1-18 so that these children may celebrate a traditional Christmas and receive gifts on behalf of their incarcerated parents in a festive holiday setting.

Each year in July, prison inmates fill out applications to register their children for the holiday event so that these children may receive gifts with a personal message of love on behalf of their parents. Children benefit from the party as it reminds them that they have not been overlooked or forgotten by either their mother or father.

Organizations participating in the event include the U.S. Forest Service firefighters and Murrieta Police officers. Children will learn about Safety and Explorer Programs at the event in addition to learning more about Smokey the Bear. They will have the opportunity to tour the Vista Community Mobile and learn about dental services for families. Habit Burger Grill is catering boxed lunches on site for those in attendance. Church activities are also scheduled to take place.
Jordyn Kojis' memories of past year's holiday events speak volumes as to the positive impact of the program: “I was four years old when Community Outreach Ministry invited me to its annual Angel Tree Christmas Party," Kojis told the organization's cofounders. "I was so excited, and the party was so much fun. I especially remember gifts from my mom with an 'Angel' tag that said, 'I love you.' [The Angel Tree party] helped me to get through the holidays knowing mom had not forgotten me.

"The Davies have had an amazing impact on my life," Kojis said. I am so grateful for the opportunity to face paint the children as a volunteer at the Christmas party [as I grew older]. I felt it was so important to give back to other Angel Tree children to let them know they are not alone, and the ministry was giving them a second chance to be winners and champions.”

After she graduated from high school in May 2019, Kojis chose to work with animals. She is now hard at work at a boarding and training facility for professional show dogs. Kojis is currently a student at the Vet Tech Institute with aspirations of becoming a Veterinary Technician and future veterinarian.

Those interested in sponsoring gifts for the event should contact Community Outreach Ministry. The organization needs Large, XL and XXL pajamas, hoodies, or jackets for our teens. For the upcoming event, anyone too busy to shop for these items can donate online by clicking on the ministry's Christmas landing page: https://communityoutreachministry.org/christmas-2023/.

Community Outreach Ministry will also pick up any check donations in person. Checks may also be sent via U.S. mail to Community Outreach Ministry, 23905 Clinton Keith Road Suite 114 #116, Wildomar, California 92595. For more details, call 951-698-7650 (office) or 951-231-5515 (mobile) or email the nonprofit at info@communityoutreachministry.org. All members of the media are invited to attend the event.