BRUISED REEDS

"Bruised Reeds is a collection of stories told by the people who live hard lives. Not because they want to. Not because someone made them. They are pieces of a puzzle hard to put together because many of the pieces are damaged. Everyone has a story. Everyone. We invite you to listen in. You will be challenged to think better of them, pause on their behalf, and look more kindly on someone whose story is not what you think it should be. Bruised reeds are not yet broken. There is hope, even for a bruised reed."

Nick

Etienne, who goes by Nick, is everyones friend. Nick has lived "the life" in the world of music and creativity, yet his spiral into homelessness lasted for years. This is his story.

Maria

Maria had the best life. Six kids, room mother, soccer mom – until one day she tried drugs. This is her story.

Emeterio

Many adverse childhood experiences drew Emeterio into the wide road.

Maria

Maria’s early family abuses led to foster care in numerous homes. She found herself looking for love in the wrong places.

Lila

Lila had a normal life until drug caught her in a snare. She resolves to do better every day but is drawn to the wrong things.

Joseph

Coming Soon

Sammy

Sammy a young man finding his way.

Cheryl

Cheryl finding her way.

Juan

Juan finding his way.

Juan

Juan finding his way.

Francine

Coming soon

Carlos

Coming Soon

Our
Story

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Harvard Shelter is a place where families who have lost hope can find it. SPIRIT of Santa Paula has been serving the least powerful and most vulnerable in the Santa Clara Valley since 2002. It provides 49 beds year-round, 175 meals a day to shelter guests and people on the streets, case management to help people get back on their feet to find permanent supportive housing, and showers to homeless neighbors in the Valley. We distribute 1 million pounds of food each year to people who are food insecure. We have the highest Platinum Rating with GuideStar for fiscal transparency.