I’m sixty-one, I have a Ph.D. in social work, and before I came to the Christian Aid Center, I was sleeping on a picnic table in the park. I had a bad home-life when I was young, so at 17, I quit high school and moved out on my own. I began working factory jobs and drove trucks for twenty-five years. I was an atheist and an alcoholic, but I always had a job and a home. After giving up alcohol, I became depressed, and without any substances to drown my thoughts and sorrows, I began to contemplate my life,…

Our friends at Pineapple Pete's want to banish cold feet. From October 1-15 they are offering 50 percent off the price of a shaved ice or slushy, in exchange for a new pair of socks. Socks will be given to men, women and children staying in our shelter. One discount per pair and families can bring a multi-pack for a group discount. Visit Pineapple Pete's at their new location at 915 S. Second Street in Walla Walla!

Meet Cherish, Zoe and Derek -- three awesome kids who decided to spend some of their vacation time helping others.  On Tuesday, they raised $69.43 for our shelter with their lemonade stand on the corner of Birch and Catherine Streets.  They also made some cool summertime decorations for our dining hall.  Thank you!

When he thinks about his condition three years ago, Phillip would have never thought he would be where he is today.  “At that time everything in my life was crashing down.” His marriage had fallen apart, he had lost his apartment and he was suffering from severe depression and sexual addiction.  “I couldn’t cope anymore.”  His cousin offered him a place to stay in Walla Walla, but his mental illness caused him to lash out both verbally and physically.  In desperation, he searched to find a place that could help him. “I was extremely scared when I walked through the…

"There Is Still Hope" Almost before I can finish my question, “So how did you get here?” Ben’s one word answer leaps out of his mouth, “God.” My own mouth curls in surprise as I look at Ben, bearded and grey with an Air Calvary cap. I wait, and he looks away, nodding in thought. “I thought I was directing myself,” he says, breaking the silence, “but it wasn’t me. It was Him.” Slowly, Ben begins to tell me his story. It’s a story of a life of drug addiction and difficult relationship with his wife. He winces as he…

The Christian Aid Center now offers haircuts for the homeless and those living in our shelter. This new service exists thanks to Arturo, a hairstylist who moved to the Pacific Northwest from his home in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Arturo works full time at Leo’s off 9th Street in Walla Walla, and has recently decided to volunteer his time and his talents to give haircuts on Sundays to those in need. Arturo makes sure both sides are even on his first CAC client, Karee. “I’ve thought about volunteering here for a while,” he says, “the Christian Aid Center is only two…

Every summer before school starts, Whitman College offers a remarkable community outreach program for incoming freshmen. This program, labeled S.C.O.R.E (short for Summer Community OutReach Excursion) offers the new freshmen a unique chance to get acquainted and involved in their new community before classes begin and life gets hectic. During the week, students volunteer for daily service projects and visit the non-profits and community organizations around Walla Walla. This year, we had six new students from Whitman College volunteer here at the Christian Aid Center doing the dirty work of cleaning our playground equipment, organizing a storage garage, and preparing…