Our mission

• to contribute directly to the health and well-being of our unhoused neighbors

We do this by providing food, supplies, and access to other services

• to provide encouragement for our neighbors to take the next step toward a more sustainable life

We do this by partnering with other organizations that can assist with housing, employment, medical care and other steppingstones to independence

What we do

Our program is based on three core tenets:

• Caring

On the last Saturday of every month, we are now hosting more than 250 of our unhoused neighbors, providing a hot breakfast, clothing and personal items, a hot shower, bus and trolley passes, and lunches to go.

• Connection

We offer resources that can help connect our neighbors to opportunities for housing, employment, medical care, and other services, and we continue to add additional service providers every month.

• Community

All of us—our neighbors and our volunteers—enjoy getting to know each other and forming relationships that enrich and deepen our mutual respect and understanding. We engage in conversations that let our guests know we see them as individuals—as one of us. We offer simple hospitality and grace with no strings attached.

Our Home Base: La Mesa First United Methodist Church

[logo at Fresh Start/Marketing and Communication/Partner Logos]

La Mesa First UMC has been a vital and vibrant presence in the center of the La Mesa community for more than 130 years. It continues to serve as a beacon of community gathering, service to the neighborhood, and voice of social justice and inclusivity in La Mesa. It has been the gathering place for life’s celebrations and times of healing, civic discussions, and neighborhood learning for all ages.  Not just a place to gather on Sundays, La Mesa First is a place of hope, healing, service, and inspiration seven days a week. And Fresh Start is a prime example of the church’s commitment to serving all of our neighbors, housed and unhoused, without any preconditions or expectations for return.

History

When Fresh Start began more than 10 years ago, a few volunteers were serving breakfast to fewer than 40 people each month. Over the years, we have served more than 1100 individuals. Currently, more than 70 volunteers—two-thirds of whom are community members but not church members–are serving more than 250 guests each month. The needs and numbers are still increasing. For more information [click here to history page–TBD]

Staff

All members of the Fresh Start staff serve as unpaid volunteers giving countless hours of their time and talents in preparation and operation of Fresh Start every month. The staff members below provide leadership in each of the primary areas of services and goods we provide.

[Headshots or photos in action for each one]

Lynn Parsons, Coordinator

Lynn has a long history of service in public education, anti-poverty projects, and other organizations providing support for low-income, unhoused, or marginalized people. She is generally responsible for the overall organization of Fresh Start, its volunteers, and its budget. Contact Lynn at lynnpar70@gmail.com.

Jim Parsons, Co-Coordinator

Jim has a background in data analysis and program evaluation with educational and other non-profit organizations. He is a constant welcoming figure at the front gate, getting to know our neighbors and hear their stories. Contact Jim at jimpar@gmail.com

Bonnie Baranoff meets with the growing number of our neighbors who are either seniors (over 65) or disabled and receive a monthly pass for the San Diego Metropolitan Transit Authority. Bonnie registers new recipients, submits data to MTS, and manages the complexities of lost cards and other issues that arise each month. Bonnie also takes the lead as coordinator whenever Lynn and Jim are out.

Karyn Whitten manages and distributes the new underwear that we distribute to our guests each month and makes sure that we have an array of sizes and shapes to fit our diverse population.

Susie Knoell sorts and organizes all of the donated clothing and soft goods and manages the team that helps individuals find the items and sizes they need each month.

Carol Klipp ensures that our neighbors can choose from a broad array of personal hygiene products that help keep our neighbors healthy and experiencing the dignity of being clean looking good.

Linda Niwinski supervises the team that keeps our shower clean and ready for a quick turnover so we can serve as many people as possible on Fresh Start Saturdays.

Theresa Castel de Oro is a mainstay at the font gate, welcoming our neighbors and providing them with a name badge that helps all of us recognize and greet each other by name.

JoDee Rich is our main cook, working with a team of other volunteers to produce a hearty and delicious breakfast that is plated and served to each guest by our volunteers.

Our Partners

HOME Program – Homeless Outreach & Mobile Engagement [logo at Fresh Start/Marketing and Communication/Partner Logos]

The City of La Mesa launched the HOME Program to better connect those experiencing homelessness with existing County services. The program is structured so that trained specialists, including a full-time outreach worker and mental health clinician, are dispatched to respond to non-emergency calls for service related to homelessness that come into the La Mesa Police Department. As appropriate and safe, the HOME team will work directly with those experiencing homelessness and offer them an array of services and housing opportunities. 

HOME staff members are present at every Fresh Start event and a number of our guests have found jobs and housing as a result of their efforts.

ProduceGood [logo at Fresh Start/Marketing and Communication/Partner Logos]

ProduceGood organizes volunteers to go to the source of surplus produce (orchards, backyards, farms, farmers markets and grocers) to sort and collect the excess and then transport it to pantries, shelters and other organizations who feed our nutrition insecure neighbors in San Diego County. ProduceGood supplies the fresh fruit we distribute to our guests as part of their lunches-to-go every month.

Fletcher Hills Presbyterian Church [logo at Fresh Start/Marketing and Communication/Partner Logos]

Fletcher Hills Presbyterian Church has been walking alongside Fresh Start since 2024, providing significant numbers of loyal volunteers each month and sponsoring collection drives of food and blankets and other products distributed at Fresh Start. The Missions Committee of Fletcher Hills is also a generous donor of funds that help Fresh Start continue its work.

Ignatian Spirituality Project [logo at Fresh Start/Marketing and Communication/Partner Logos]

ISP (Ignatian Spirituality Project) invites those recovering from homelessness & addiction to experience God’s unconditional love.  In a small group, they encourage  participants to find self-acceptance, hope and healing needed to reclaim their lives.  Although rooted in Ignatian spirituality, ISP is non-denominational.

National Faith Coalition to End Homelessness

Travelers Aid

Annual report

For the latest information about our progress and impact, see our Annual Report. [coming soon]