Harbor Interfaith: Bridge To A New Life

Vanessa Zepeda first came to Harbor Interfaith Services in San Pedro, CA when she was 15-years old, 15 and pregnant. She was not receiving support from her family, she says, and she wanted to learn how to raise her child correctly, so she took a parenting class at Harbor Interfaith. “I did not want to raise my kids like I was raised,” she says, “I am so thankful I had Harbor Interfaith there for me because I had no idea how to do it on my own.”

Harbor Interfaith, located in the heart of San Pedro, provides services for families in need and helps to get the homeless off the street. Shari Weaver, director of the Family Resource Center at Harbor Interfaith, said, “There are about 58,000 people in Los Angeles County who are homeless and only around 17,000 beds are available for the homeless.” Harbor Interfaith provides a family shelter, transitional housing, clothing closet, food pantry, a children’s center, and even a holiday wish list to offer special care for families during the Holidays.

Zepeda, now 28-years old, has four children with one on the way. Zepeda was able to raise her family with her husband, the father of all her children, because of the help from Harbor Interfaith. When the family lost their home, Harbor Interfaith provided temporary shelter until they were able to stand on their own financially. “This happened three years ago and we were able to find an apartment right after that and we have been living there since,” says Zepeda.

Zepeda is grateful for Harbor Interfaith. “I could never be where I am today without them,” she says, “and when I am completely on my feet I would love to come and give back to the program like what they have done for me.”