Emily Lepone loves helping animals; her mom, Cathy, loves helping people. Cathy is an active member of the Women’s Auxiliary of the Church of Scientology, and all of her good works have certainly rubbed off on Emily.

Emily, 14, is a student at Renaissance Academy in La Canada, who finds the time between homework and horseback riding to volunteer at the Sante D’or Foundation, a no-kill rescue center and shelter for small animals. She recently organized a blanket and towel drive for bedding for the foundation’s clients—mostly kittens at present. Emily does just about everything to help at the foundation, including working at the group’s weekend pet adoptions. During the week, Emily is a foster mom to some of the kittens.

“I love having the kittens at home with me. It’s hard to bring them back, though. You get really attached,” Emily said.

Emily’s volunteering certainly has her on the right career track: She plans to continue helping animals and become either a vet or zoologist. To learn more, click here.

Again this year, the Church of Scientology Women’s Auxiliary presented the Edelman’s Children Court Center in Monterey Park with a cartload full of toys to add to their Birthday Closet. The Birthday Closet is maintained so that children who are at Edelman’s on their birthdays will get to celebrate with a present. Janice Johnson, program manager for the Juvenile Court Services Shelter Care Program, happily received the donation, and acknowledged its importance.

Auxiliary member Catherine Lepone of Los Angeles delivered the toys and headed up the project. The donation included dolls, Beanie Babies, board games, trucks, teddy bears, Barbies and musical instruments.

Ms. Lepone said: “We feel that every child is special and should be made to feel even more special on his or her birthday. Going through the court system is especially stressful, so if a child has an easier time of it because he or she got a birthday gift from us, we’ve accomplished our goal.” Click here for more information.

The members of the Women’s Auxiliary of the Church of Scientology opened their closets to gather clothing to help Covenant House California’s Hollywood residents look like pros at job interviews. Most of the youth were in the county Social Services system, but when they turn 18 years old, they are expected to make their own way, which is not something they are all necessarily able to do immediately and without some guidance. Covenant House provides this help and support.

Auxiliary member Sue Gaddis of Tujunga, who has chaired the project for several years now, gathered suits, sport coats, ties, dresses, sweaters ties and shoes for the young Covenant House residents. Said Gaddis: “We were thrilled to help Covenant House. This is an organization that is often the last place for runaway or homeless kids to turn for real help. Covenant House not only provides shelter and service to these kids, but by encouraging them to work, they also help provide self-esteem. Any contribution the Auxiliary can make to that is well worth it.”

The Church of Scientology is a well-known leader in social reform activities, including drug education, drug- and criminal-rehabilitation programs, literacy awareness and human rights issues. Click here to find out more.

The Church of Scientology Women’s Auxiliary recently donated 50 noodles, 50 kick-boards and 20 pull buoys to the aquatic center at the Palisades YMCA in Pacific Palisades. The aquatic center has a program that offers swimming lessons for day camp children all week long throughout the summer. On Sundays the is open pool to the entire community.

Said Auxiliary member Felicia Bushman, of city Pacific Palisades, “The aquatics staff showed us the noodles that they had been using. They were so old I don't think they had any float left in them! The Y has many programs that reach out to the communities to help accomplish their mission, which is to help build strong kids, strong families and strong communities, and reinforce the YMCA core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility. This is a group we were only too happy to help.”

Beyond the aquatics program, other programs include arts and humanities (writing, performing, visual arts), camping, child care, community development (job training, drug abuse prevention), family support groups and programs, health and fitness,
seniors programs, sports and teen leadership. The YMCA also provides financial assistance to those who cannot afford the yearly membership, so no one is ever turned away.

The Church of Scientology is a well-known leader in social reform activities, including drug education, drug- and criminal-rehabilitation programs, literacy awareness and human rights issues. To find out more click here.

The Church of Scientology Women’s Auxiliary recently presented the Out of the Closet thrift store in Pasadena with 20 bags of gently used clothing.

While the purpose of Out of the Closet is to assist people living with HIV with much-needed medical care, Out of the Closet also helps the homeless when they are in need of clothing and other personal items.

“Out of the Closet plays such an important role in our community that we are happy to help out in any way we can,” said Auxiliary Vice President, Nancy Reitze of Pasadena.

The Church of Scientology is a well-known leader in social reform activities, including drug education, drug- and criminal-rehabilitation programs, literacy awareness and human rights issues. Find out more here.

Drugs are never the answer. They may provide a little relief for a broken arm or a toothache. But they will never be a solution to solving an emotional problem. Drugs do more harm than perhaps any other influence in our society today. This includes not only street drugs, but perscription drugs and especially psychiatric mind altering drugs - which fool a person into thinking he's feeling OK - when he isn't. And if he THINKS he's feeling OK, he won't try to fix what needs to be fixed, will he? Find out more about it - click here.

A primary building block of our society is the family unit. Activities which demean or break down the family are dangerous to our future. A strong marriage and a strong family unit are keys to success in this world. Children are then nurtured, sheltered and are given a good example set by loving adults of virtues like loyalty, steadfastness and love.

Values are important. Teach them to your children. Practice them in your life. Set a good example in your community and your home.

For more information, click here.