Beyond Brunch: Tracy, CA
A heartwarming service takes place every Saturday at Prashanthi Nilayam (Sri Sathya Sai Baba Abode of Supreme Peace) in Tracy, CA, since Gurupoornima in 2023. Rain or shine, a group of dedicated Sai volunteers, including young adults and Sai Spiritual Education (SSE) students, gather together to prepare and serve a hot nourishing brunch to those experiencing homelessness within the community. The SSE children, in a spirit of love and altruism have wholeheartedly embraced the project and even sacrificed their Halloween chocolates and selflessly gave them away to the houseless who live in tents at the park.
The weekly service activity has strengthened the bond between the volunteers and the recipients, as they come to know those living in the tents and are touched by their stories of hardship. It has been an eye-opening experience as volunteers come to know those living in the tents, some of whom are well-educated individuals fallen on hard times. Sai volunteers, wanting to truly make a meaningful difference, accepted the resume of one such individual and helped him apply for jobs online. To their immense gratification, their efforts led to landing him a position at a nearby pizza store. Since then, Sai volunteers have decided to offer professional skills coaching as they build trusting relationships with those they serve, with the aim to help those in the houseless community secure employment and potentially transform their lives.
Volunteers express that what has impacted them the most is how individuals at the park, who, despite having very little, show contentment, kindness, and an overwhelming sense of gratitude. In the process, the experience has deepened their own sense of humility, immense respect for the incredible resilience of the houseless, and thankfulness for the blessings in their lives.