Since 1974, Shepherds Corner has been generously providing food and clothing to those in need throughout Harrison County.  Started by the Bridgeport Ministerial Association, eight churches contribute time and resources to ensure these basic needs are provided.  Up until now, however, delivery was not an option.  Carla Yaquinta recently started an extension of Shepherds Corner, called Beyond the Shepherd, a unique ministry in which she and friends take much-needed clothing items to children in schools around Harrison County.

 

After volunteering at Shepherds Corner twice a week for the last seven years, Yaquinta noted the generous clothing donations given to the organization.   Her daughter, Gina Lutyens, a Speech Therapist for Harrison County Schools, raised Yaquinta’s awareness of the vast number of children who had clothes that didn’t fit.

After speaking with Shepherds Corner Director, Mary Ellen Depue, Yaquinta asked if she could take some of the donated clothing to each of the schools around the county, and Beyond the Shepherd was born.

 

With her children grown, Yaquinta converted her basement into a giant clothing room in order to sort the donations for distribution.  With kids of all shapes and sizes in the local schools, it was necessary to have a wide variety of clothing items in each package delivered to the schools.  Now in all 23 Harrison County Schools, Beyond the Shepherd is growing and changing lives.

 

“One child received a pair of shoes that fit him and he said, ‘Now I can run really fast!’ said Yaquinta.  “That made me realize the importance of a child feeling better about himself when they look and feel like they fit in. This could make a huge impact on how well they do in school.”

 

Friends Tina Yankosky and Sandy Senita help organize and box the clothing, while Karen Hoover helps make the deliveries.  Seasonal items are rotated and basics such as socks and underwear are always in demand.  Recently, Yaquinta spoke to the GFWC Bridgeport Junior Women’s Club about Beyond the Shepherd and members donated new underwear for the next cycle of deliveries.

 

“With cold weather approaching, we are now boxing up hoodies, long pants and jackets,” she said.  Clothing, new underwear and socks, and cash donations are being accepted and distributed to area students.  “As the ministry grows, we hope to make ill-fitting clothing the last thing on kids’ minds while they are at school.  We regularly work with counselors for special requests and hope to expand as needed,” she said.

 

Those wishing to make donations to Beyond the Shepherd can email Yaquinta at carla.yaquinta@gmail.com.