Because You Gave: Folsom’s Hope

Lakeside has a culture of generosity, and your generosity has proven to be a blessing to others. Each Christmas, we collect a special offering and donate all of the funds. Folsom’s Hope, which mentors, tutors, and supports at-risk students, was the grateful recipient of the 2019 Christmas offering, totaling almost $22,000!

Salwa Kasabian, executive director at Folsom’s Hope, said the Lakeside Christmas 2019 donations enabled the establishment of a Benevolence Fund. Through the fund, Folsom’s Hope can now intervene when the families of the students they work with encounter a gap in funds or an extra need from extenuating circumstances. 

 “Thanks to Lakeside’s generosity, Folsom’s Hope is able to serve and love families that have a need above and beyond our normal services,” Salwa said.

 From simple needs, such as registration money to play Folsom Jr. Bulldogs football prior to the pandemic, to lifechanging assistance of helping two students get the paperwork started to bring their mother to America (she fled to Turkey from Iran after suffering religious persecution for being Christian), the fund has provided Folsom’s Hope with valuable resources to provide extra care and support.

 Working with Mercy Village low-income apartments, Folsom’s Hope has also assisted a few families with rent. “We use discernment to ensure the best use of these funds and are grateful that we can now bless some of our families in meeting practical needs,” Salwa said.