While many honed their volunteer skills working on St. Theresa School events -- such as the annual auction benefiting the school -- the women are branching out into the greater community.

These days, the volunteers are sharing their time and talents with Oakland Elizabeth House, an organization that since 1991 has provided transitional residential and support services to women in need.

Located in the former St. Augustine Church convent on Colby Street in North Oakland, Elizabeth House serves as a one-year residence for single women and women with children who have experienced the poverty of homelessness, violence or addiction. Up to 10 women and their children can be housed in the 12-bedroom residence at a time.

For the past several months, the St. Theresa women have joined with others -- including members of Piedmont's Corpus Christi Church -- to plan and organize the second annual "Sweet Inspirations" Art Auction and Dessert Reception benefiting Elizabeth House (commonly referred to as EHouse).

The event, featuring a silent auction, live auction and delicious desserts, is scheduled for May 15 at Holy Redeemer Center in Oakland.

Montclair resident and parent Cathy McFann helped with the last year's auction after being involved with many auctions at St. Theresa School.

"I really believe in what Elizabeth House is doing to help some of those in need in our community, so I was more than happy to assist," she said.

"I had been thinking about trying to volunteer in other ways," McFann said, "and EHouse gave me a great opportunity to branch out and do something for the greater community -- not just my own 'little community.'"

Other volunteers feel the same way.

"Like other working moms, I don't have much extra time, but I feel we all need to 'give back' to our communities," said Rockridge resident Vikki King O'Connell.

Laura Bennett, a Montclair resident and parent, first became involved with Elizabeth House 10-plus years ago. "As my children outgrew clothes and toys I was looking for a good place to donate the 'gently used' ones," she said.

"I believe we need more places for people to live as they transition from a difficult time in their lives to something better, more stable," Bennett said.

Two years ago, when the Elizabeth House board members were brainstorming about the different ways they could raise money, the idea of an art auction was born, Bennett said.

"We knew many people who were quite skilled at putting together school auctions and knew a few artists who we thought would be willing to donate to such an event -- so we were off and running," she said.

Oakland resident and Corpus Christi Church member Lori Arnold heads her parish's community outreach program. "Our objective is to give parishioners information about and also concrete ways they can give to others in the community," she said.

After visiting Elizabeth House, Arnold was hooked and signed up to be an art auction coordinator. "I'm a single mom myself, so I have a soft spot for moms and kids," she said. "I work in the courts, and I see the tragedies. Elizabeth House gives women a chance to have a place for a longer length of time -- it's not just a temporary shelter."

Volunteer support is invaluable to Elizabeth House, said director Courtenay Redis.

"Since inception of Elizabeth House back in 1991, we have relied solely on the assistance of community volunteers to run. We've taken not a penny of government money in all these years," she said.

More than 60 volunteers take on tasks such as grocery shopping on a monthly basis for Elizabeth House, as well as painting and preparing rooms for new families moving in, Redis added.

"It's just an amazing amount of support from the community that keeps us going," she said.

To donate art or volunteer at Elizabeth House, call (510) 601-1213.

Contra Costa Times
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