Building Blocks director delights in helping community

About eight years ago, Century Assembly decided they wanted to help a out a section of town that seemed the neediest, which they found was the Eastside. Members of the church began doing community work by cleaning up alleys.

This was the beginning of Building Blocks, an organization that helps provide assistance to people in the area with the basic necessities of life. A food resource center was opened and then the organization evolved into running day camps for children.

Five years ago, Building Blocks became a nonprofit organization that today has 50 volunteers.

Kathy McClelland, one of its directors, said the organization's purpose is to help people understand their value both spiritually and morally.

"God didn't create us to be still, but to love people," she said.

What is rewarding about working for this organization?

Watching people's lives change. Watching homeless women get off the street and into a shelter. Seeing children that I will ask if they can have anything what would they want, and they say lightbulbs in their house. Helping mothers give some TLC to their homes and watching their faces. And, watching people care for each other. There's no poor, rich, black or white. Everyone works together. It's just knowing you did your best to help someone else.

What has been the biggest project of the organization?

It was probably two years ago next month, when we did a home makeover. We took a family of five and put them up in a motel. She was a single mom that was trying to make it work. We ripped out the entire kitchen, all the carpeting and painted inside and out. Then, put in a new kitchen and sink. We refurnished the house, which she needed desperately. In 82 hours, we moved them back into the house. That was a large project in a short amount of time. We literally worked around the clock.

What has been the biggest challenge?

Getting the community to understand the need of (the organization). They think it's a good thing, but they really don't understand. They'll say, "It doesn't affect me," but it could. Who's even guaranteed to have a job tomorrow?

What has been the most fun?

I would say our camps. I love watching our kids grow. Watching these kids on Saturday doing their performance and watching how fast their minds can learn songs and scripture.

How can people get involved?

They can be a sponsor of a kid for the camp. If they are a head of an organization, they can have a toy or can food drive. If they are cleaning out their house and decide to get rid of a couch and it doesn't have any holes, they can donate it. There is a lot you can give. People don't think about magazines, books, clothing, tools or household items. You can give a $5 donation once a month. You can do a lot with that. That can buy a toy.

Some accomplishments for 2009

— Distributed 2,304 boxes of food.
— Two day camps giving 112 young people a feeling of importance.
— Assisted four families that had home fires.
— Helped 51 families with furniture, appliances and home furnishings.
— Helped 19 families with wheelchairs and walkers.
— Helped 237 families with clothing.
— Helped 15 people find jobs.
Source: Kathy McClelland

How do you find projects that need to be done?

By building friendships. I do a lot of home visits and take treats, some bread or school supplies. Just by being a friend, you get to know them. The two home makeovers we did, they never asked for it. It just became obvious.

What are some of the future goals of the organization?

I would like to do more home makeovers. I'd like to extend the camps to special needs children. I need people that are equipped educationally that can give their time. It is still in the working plan but hopefully by next summer. I would be ecstatic. I'd like to see a job corps to help people find jobs. Down the road, I'd like a medical clinic but that's mega big and not in the grasp right now.

What is the weirdest thing you have ever seen while cleaning up around town?

We pick up everything from dirty diapers, couches and refrigerators to broken down cars. It's amazing how many people have engine parts in their yards, even if they aren't mechanics. It's also amazing how many people fill up their trash and when they run out of room, they put out bags like the garbage man is going to get out and pick them up.

Contact Features Editor Pamela Bauserman at pamelab@lodinews.com.

Reader Feedback

LodiFreeThinker wrote on Nov 2, 2009 4:59 PM:

" If what Disgruntled said is true, then its not charity. Its proselytizing.

If people want to trade food and service for missionary opportunities, that's fine with me, just don't pretend your doing it to help the community. "

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DISGRUNTLED wrote on Nov 2, 2009 4:24 AM:

" I've heard many people complain that in order to get food at Building Blocks they are REQUIRED to attend a church-type service. Therefore, these people do not go there. No one likes religion shoved down their throats, even the poor and homeless. "

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