SERVICE & COMMUNITY

Since 1972, 1736 Family Crisis Center has responded to the growing needs of victims of domestic violence, runaway and homeless youth, victims of human trafficking, homeless families, homeless and at-risk Veterans, unemployed adults and youth, and other low-income community members in need of assistance. Men, women, children and families can access life-saving support 24 hours a day through five shelters, five community service centers, various community-based offices and co-locations and five crisis and suicide hotlines. MBCC has continuously and enthusiastically supported 1736 FCC for over 40 years, providing monthly funds to support these services. A portion of these MBCC funds are used specifically to provide groceries for the youth shelter. One of our church members chaired the governing board of 1736 FCC for 30 years.

With the support of community partners, donors and volunteers, Habitat LA constructs new or renovates existing homes alongside Habitat partner homebuyers. Our partner homebuyers make a small down payment and monthly mortgage payments, and they invest 200-500 hours of sweat equity hours building their future Habitat home and the homes of other Habitat homebuyers. Habitat homes are sold to partner homebuyers at no profit and are financed with affordable loans. Twice a year, MBCC volunteers for a high-energy workday with Habitat For Humanity. One day is devoted to constructing a new house, while the other day is focused upon renovating an existing house by performing repairs, painting, providing landscaping, etc. Our volunteers must be at least 16 years old, but no special skills are required. Besides providing volunteer workers, we contribute financially to these projects.

Celebrate our annual Joy of Giving event, the Alternative Christmas Fair! The MBCC Alternative Christmas Fair provides an opportunity for giving to local, regional and international mission projects. The Alternative Christmas Fair is held annually in early December on the patio immediately after worship service. Church goers have an opportunity to learn more about the various organizations MBCC supports before making their donations. Each year your generous donations and purchases help make Christmas special for those in need.

Founded in 1997, we have served numerous families and individuals throughout the surrounding community and beyond. Manhattan Beach Community Church has provided a safe and welcoming space that has allowed us to provide accessible and affordable counseling services. Counseling is provided by dedicated pre-licensed clinicians. Our interns have completed their Master level programs and are fulfilling the 3000 hours requirement needed to be a candidate to take the Marriage and Family Therapy board exam. They are supervised by licensed therapists and our primary goal is the care provided to our clients.

The Wednesday Work Crew volunteers most Wednesdays to help maintain the church property. They’ve painted, landscaped, created and installed parking signs, cleaned up the parking lot and so much more. And they have a lot of fun together in the process. Our church would not be in nearly as great of shape without them. Show up and help out!

Family Promise of the South Bay, works through local churches to help homeless families with children achieve housing stability and self-sufficiency.They provide supplies and food (cold breakfast & lunch items and prepared dinners), dine, and spend evening time with the families, stay overnight, set up/take down the rooms, launder the linens, and provide loving care. MBCC is a Support Congregation and our volunteers serve the families by providing meals, hospitality, funds for gas and grocery cards, donating backpacks and school supplies, and teaching enrichment classes. Volunteers are always needed and appreciated!

Operating out of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Redondo Beach, Project Needs focuses on the hungry and unhoused providing hot dinners each Tuesday. MBCC members have served as volunteers for more than 30 years by assisting with dinners, shopping for and donating staples each week that are distributed to those seeking help and those who come to the first Thursday Food Pantry where the need continues to grow with the ever-increasing price of groceries. In addition to staples, fresh produce is distributed from a truck provided by the Greater Los Angeles Food Bank. Nearly 300 individuals (___ families) are being served monthly. Once a month, MB teens bake for Project Needs Tuesday diners, by preparing cookies, cupcakes or other sweets at their
weekly meetings.