2009 Shelter from the Storm

Shelter from the Storm Breakfast 2009

Capacity crowd attends Shelter from the Storm Breakfast

Residents of Volunteers of America transitional housing
program for former foster youth pose with program director
Lynda Lewis at the Shelter from the Storm Breakfast
held April 30 at the DoubleTree Hotel Sacramento.

The moving personal stories of former foster youth Lynnette Mabinton, Sammy Sanchez, Lola Garcia and Angela Osbourne were at the heart of April 30's Shelter from the Storm Breakfast.

Related in video and in person, their tales of adversity and ultimate triumph underscored the need for such programs as Volunteers of America's transitional housing program for former foster youth.

Volunteers of America board member Debbie Augustine-Nelson, founder and president of Augustine & Associates, opened the proceedings, which were sponsored by Farmers & Merchants Bank of Central California.

Also addressing the more than 325 supporters in attendance, were Volunteers of America President/CEO Leo McFarland and board member Rick Wylie. Former foster youth transitional housing program resident Lynnette Mabinton was the day's featured speaker. (To read her speech, click here.) Daniel Newson gave the invocation.

See below for photos from this year's event.

Shelter from the Storm Breakfast – Debbie Augustine-Nelson

Shelter from the Storm Breakfast – Daniel Newson

Shelter from the Storm Breakfast – Leo McFarland

Volunteers of America board member Debbie Augustine-Nelson opened and closed the proceedings, while Daniel Newson (center) gave the invocation. Volunteers of America
President and CEO Leo McFarland also shared with the capacity audience.

Volunteers of America board member Rick Wylie made a call for action during the event; Lynnette Mabinton, a resident of Volunteers of America's transitional housing program for
former foster youth, was the featured speaker.

Shelter from the Storm 2009 – Lola Garcia

Shelter from the Storm 2009 – Sammy Sanchez

Shelter from the Storm 2009 – Lynda Lewis, Lynnette Mabinton

The event's featured video, "Transforming Communities Through Compassion," told the
stories of former foster youth Lola Garcia (above left) and Sammy Sanchez (center).
Transitional housing for former foster youth program director Lynda Lewis congratulates
Lynnette Mabinton on her speech – the highlight of the breakfast event.