This past weekend, more than 150 people turned out at St. Frances of Rome Catholic Church in Riverbank to select clothes, toys and books for their families during the recent clothing drive which was hosted by Refugio de Bienestar. The clothing drive offered clothes for every member of the family and many families stopped by to fill up multiple bags with items for the warm weather as well as a few fall staples like coats and sweatshirts.

The group name, Refugio de Bienestar, means sanctuary of well-being and that is what the facilitator, Mary Lu Ruiz, is trying to bring to the women in Riverbank and the surrounding communities of Oakdale, Escalon and Ripon through these activities: a sense of well-being and connection.

“We want to support the community and we are able to do so through events like this,” said Ruiz. “We are also hosting computer education classes in which the students that complete the class will receive a brand-new computer at the completion of the class.”

Ruiz and a dedicated group of volunteers are working to ensure that women in Riverbank and the surrounding areas have access to various resources including educational and mental health resources to help them navigate the various challenges that arise throughout family and work life. In addition to the computer classes, this past week the volunteers organized a food drive and distributed food at the church and will be hosting other classes at the church in the near future.

For more information on the programs and classes that Refugio de Bienestar offers, follow them on Facebook @rdb.riverbank or contact Mary Lu Ruiz at 209-605-4470.