I have observed how Sunday Friends is positively influencing the lives of less fortunate families and how it helps the families to move from the state of being needy and feeling helpless to the state of taking control of their lives, helping others and becoming valuable members of the community. As an avid photographer I wanted to share this story with you. These photos are candid shots of the participants and are taken during the Sunday Friends programs.

1. Empowering Families in Need Replacing Charity with Opportunity www.SundayFriends.org Digital photos and presentation by HalehMahbod, a volunteer at Sunday Friends haleh@mahbod.com Date: Oct. 28, 2009

2. Replacing charity with opportunity Sunday Friends offers a safe, motivating environment for parents and children to collaborate, learn and give back to the community.

3. Working alternative to charity Children and parents earn tickets as they make gifts, serve food, write “thank you” letters and help clean the facility. They use the tickets to purchase the donated goods. “We work together as a family to earn what we need. We respect and appreciate each other more than before.” Parents' Survey 2009

4. Building parenting skills 88% of participating parents report: “I am more actively involved in helping my kids succeed in school.” “I feel more confident as a parent.” Parents' Survey 2009

5. Developing the joy of learning 99% of participating parents report… “My kids are more motivated to learn, experience new things and do their best.” Parents’ Survey 2009

6. Giving back to the community Children are proud of the gifts that they make for others while they earn tickets - like these cards for men at a senior center.

7. Giving back to the community Kids dress up stuffed animals as gifts for the children at the hospital.

9. Children learn to prepare and serve healthy meals.

10. Parents learn about healthy eating habits in health class.“80% of parents report that their children are eating a healthier diet.” Parents' Survey 2009

11. Expressing gratitude Families build English and literacy while thanking the community that supports them.

12. Banking and learning to manage money Earned tickets are saved in the Sunday Friends Bank for future purchases - and bank accounts even gain interest!

13. Appreciating the value of earning and saving This Sunday Friends child is excited to purchase her own backpack for school with the tickets that she has earned.

14. Appreciating the value of earning and giving This Sunday Friends child buys a bicycle for her brother with tickets she has earned over time.

15. Providing for the family This Sunday Friends Dad is redeeming her earned tickets for laundry detergent, diapers and other basic necessities.

16. Becoming a leader Dahlia (on the right) and her family have been attending Sunday Friends since 2000. She shares… "I moved from being just a participant to being a contributor and now I help lead programs.“

17. Bringing diverse backgrounds together Sunday Friends works with over 1,500 volunteers every year from throughout five Bay Area counties. “94% of volunteers say that they are more likely to volunteer in their community because of their experience with Sunday Friends.“ Volunteers’ Survey 2009 “Sunday Friends volunteers are positive role models for my children.” Parents' Survey 2009

18. I am a Sunday Friends kid “93% of parents feel more confident that their children will be able to care for themselves when they grow up.” Parents’ Survey 2009

19. I am a Sunday Friends kid A parent shares: “My son looks up to the volunteers. They make him feel like he is part of something important. “ Parents’ Survey 2009

20. We are Sunday Friends kids “85% of children feel more confident that life can be good when they are at Sunday Friends.” Children’s Survey 2009

21. We are a Sunday Friends family “97% (up from 79% in 2007) of parents feel less stressed in meeting the needs of their family.” Parents’ Survey 2009

22. We are a Sunday Friends Family A Sunday Friends mom shares: “Sunday Friends has changed my life because I am able to spend quality time with my children. I am able to sit and talk to them about different things that I’ve learned at the program. I’ve learned to have more patience with my children. I’ve also learned to get ahead in life and to have a better future.”

23. We are a Sunday Friends family “99% of Sunday Friends parents feel more confident that they will be able to care for their families in the future.” Parents’ Survey 2009

24. Be an agent of change Participate, volunteer or donate. This unique program can be used as a model to initiate similar programs. Sunday Friends is successfully helping families, whose primary focus has been survival, to relax their sense of desperation and to broaden their caring to include their children’s futures and their community.

25. Thank you! Please see www.sundayfriends.org For more information about how to Volunteer Donate initiate a similar program in your community Or Host a photo exhibit to share the story (see next slide)

26. Share Sunday Friends story with your community These photos are available for exhibit. Contact haleh@mahbod.com and thank you for supporting Sunday Friends. On display - Saratoga Library, Oct. 2009