Light The World

Natoma Station Elementary just finished running their second year of hosting the Warm and Fuzzy Drive. We would like to thank them for collaborating with us and for the wonderful leaders and administrators who helped make this all possible. The student council was unbelievable with the effort and dedication they put into making and decorating posters and boxes. We thought that last year was a huge success, but this year blew us away with the many wonderful donations brought in by students and families. This year we worked with Cordova Meadows Elementary by donating directly to the many refugee families that attend their school. Thank you to Natoma Station for being a light to the world during this season of giving. Joyful feelings of love and appreciation were felt by everyone involved.  

-Lauren Irizarry

Total Items Collected: 22 Coats, 23 Jackets, 45 Scarves, 103 Gloves, 85 Hats, 32 Blankets, 74 Shirts, 53 Pants & Shorts, 38 Pajama's, 75 Socks, 12 Shoes, 2 Dresses and 4 Towels

Lose Yourself In Service

We had our first apartment move-in for Without A Roof's second year. We had the opportunity to furnish the apartment and go on an extra shopping trip to get a few more items needed for this incoming family. As we serve these refugees, we can look to Mahatma Gandhi's wise words of "the best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others". Thank you to all who helped through donations and service!

-Lauren Irizarry

Carving Out Time For Service

Our leadership team had the opportunity to go and speak to the students at Marble Valley Academy this week as we kicked off running a Hygiene Kit Drive at their school. We were all able to teach and answer questions during an assembly about what our club does, who refugees are, what they face and why it is important to help.

It was great to learn of their awareness and hear the great questions that were asked. As well, the first-grade class preformed the most adorable Halloween song for us. All of this was a treat to the Without A Roof Club member as we took part in this wonderful opportunity.  We are especially grateful for all the donations and would love to thank to Marble Valley Academy's administration, teachers, students and families for all that they have done. This school truly went out of their way to give during this season of giving. 

-Lauren Irizarry

A New Year Of Opportunities

As we begin a new year, our goal is to grow and continue service to those around us. We had another great turn out for Club Signing Day with nearly 100 new members. We would like to welcome in all new and returning club members. We look forward to you becoming fully involved in what our club supports. 

It has been a blessing in our lives to be able to work with and serve many refugees in the Sacramento Valley. 

There is a great need to donate time and talents to help provide and serve in this community. Many refugees still face trials and hardships after they arrive. How can we make life easier for them and give them aid to be welcomed and successful?

Our mission is to help provide basic necessities, participate with apartment move ins, and facilitating collection drives for refugee families.

Thank you to those who support and sponsor Without A Roof!

-Lauren Irizarry

Leadership Team 2017-2018

I would like to take the opportunity to introduce our new Leadership Team this year with five new and outstanding individuals. Our club is growing and so are the number of leaders needed to make this all run smoothly. This group has a desire to stand for what is right and make an influence for good in this world. They have a passion for charity work and love to participate in giving back to the community. We hope to help bring awareness and support to refugees and make a difference in this world. This team never ceases to stop impressing me with their ambition, drive and good will. I am thankful to have them by my side.

Back Row: Lauren Irizarry, Nathan Irizarry, Matthew Johnson, Bella Orciuoli

Front Row: Ellie Crook, Maya Sahtout, Nicole Chase, Madison Shepherd, Lauren McCauley, Linnae Andrus

Start Of A New Year

Build a life. Change a future.

How are we an influence to those around us? Understanding who we are and what we can accomplish is only the first start. I believe that everyone likes to be remembered, acknowledged, and loved. In the best and worst of times, even a simple act of kindness can brighten someone's day. We have the responsibility and opportunity to help our fellow man. What better way to become involved in a great cause than to join us as we assist those in need of aid and welcome them in with love and acceptance. We can be an influence in this world by being a part of something that is bigger than ourselves: serving others.  

Eagle Scout Project

This week we a great opportunity to help serve and be a part of helping with an Eagle Scout Project. This project started last fall as my brother Nathan planned and started collecting items to be able to furnish and set up and entire apartment for a family. We are so thankful for the many families that contributed to this large project. The refugee family of seven was provided with furniture, bedding, cleaning supplies, cooking supplies, bathroom supplies and much more. We have really enjoyed being able to help with the apartment move ins this last year but this had the most impact as we all worked hard to make this home welcoming to this sweet family. We were able to greet them and show them the apartment. Although we did not speak the same language, there was a sincere glance of appreciation on both sides. Theirs was one of being grateful for the service rendered. Our’s was from the experience of doing good will. We felt so much joy as we rekindled our love for this great work.

-Lauren Irizarry

Leadership 2016-2017

Without A Roof has had one amazing year and we can not express enough our appreciation to all the local schools for their support with helping us run school donation drives. World Relief Sacramento with aiding us through out the year with opportunities to take part in Apartment move ins. As well as, our sponsors and support from friends, families and volunteers within the community. This has been an opportunity of growth, learning, service and joy. To my leadership team this 2016-2017 school year, I am so glad to have had you by my side as friends and leaders. You are one outstanding group of young women.

Left to Right: Maya Sahtout (Finance), Nicole Chase (Vice President), Lauren Czasnojc (Secratary), Lauren Irizarry (President and Founder), Ellie Crook (Events Specialist)

Project Citizen

It was an inspiring night that rekindled the light of being a part of this great work. We truly love working with World Relief Sacramento. Thank you for all those who put this together. For many students, it became a way of putting the term "refugee" and "refugee crisis" to a whole new light and perspective. Many thanks for all who attended and to our wonderful speakers who took the time to speak with us! 

-Lauren Irizarry

Love & Awareness Week

Our Love and Awareness Week is focused on educating students about our club and charity. Our goal is to create a greater awareness through giving and discovering more effective ways of serving our community.  In coordination with Oak Ridge High School's Project Citizen, put on by the History Department, we are taking part by bringing in speakers from World Relief Sacramento as well as two refugees who will be sharing their story.  Please come and join us on the evening of Tuesday, March 7th @ 6:00 in room B 3.    

Speakers Bio:

*Elissa Tutupoly from World Relief Sacramento will be able to give a summary of who refugees are, what trials they have overcome, the process of coming into the US, what they face when they get here and ways to become involved in service.

*Mustafa and Ali are refugees who arrived into the U.S. as Special Immigrant Visa holders. While the screening process of their entry remains the same as any other refugee, the difference is that their referral of admission into the U.S. was by the U.S. military. The Department of State created a Visa program available to persons who worked with the U.S. Armed Forces or under the Chief of Mission authority as a translator or interpreter in Iraq or Afghanistan. These persons have provided loyal and valuable service to the U.S Armed Forces, but as a result have experienced serious threat. The World Relief Sacramento office resettled the largest number of SIV cases of any World Relief office in the nation in 2016. Come join us in hearing the story of Mustafa's and Ali’s journey here!

Giving Back To The Community

We are grateful for the many donations sent to us this 2017 year.  Between the Warm and Fuzzy Drive ran by the Honor Society at Marina Village Middle School, the Leadership at Jackson Elementary, and Oak Ridge High School we were able to bring in many great donations. We appreciate all their hard work with taking the initiative to lead, advertise, collect donations as well as the hand decorated socks made for incoming refugees. Thank you for this great contribution.
-Lauren Irizarry

We received a total of: 61 Pants & Shorts, 86 Shirts, 34 Dresses, 74 Jackets, Sweaters & Coats, 21 Pajama's & Robes, 12 Scarfs, 25 Hats, 37 Gloves, 9  Shoes & Slippers, 176 Socks & Tights, 2 Belts, 6 Umbrellas, 2 Towels, 4 Lunch Boxes & Bags, 2 Comforter Sets, and 3 Sheet Sets 

새해 복 많이 받으세요 saehae bog manh-i bad-euseyo

"From Korea with Love" 

A kind friend from Seoul South Korea visited this website and felt inspired to help this wonderful cause. Going out of her way and braving the cold Korean weather, our friend visited the markets and purchased twenty-three pairs of fun socks for our cause.  We wanted to wish her and her family a Happy New Year.  We hope it will be sunny and bright!