About Us

Children of the Shepherd

Connecting on a personal level is an important part of sharing ideas. On this page we'll present some details about our organization and the people behind it.

Michael A. Vasquez, MA

Michael is the Founder and Co-Director of Children of the Shepherd (COS). Originally from New York, Michael graduated from Eastern Nazarene College with his Masters in Pastoral Counseling. He went on to serve in various inner city ministries before he settled in Hollywood, where he has served ever since. Michael is an Ordained Minister with the Church of the Nazarene and also serves as Chief Chaplain at a Veterans Administration Hospital in Southern California.

Barbara J. Vasquez, MS

Barbara is Co-Director of COS. A Glendora, CA, native, members of Barbara's family have served as pastors, church planters, and pillars of many Southern California churches. Barbara is Department Chair of the Library at Los Angeles City College by trade and gives all of her free time to serving the poor in whatever capacity she can.

Joyce Leeman

Joyce serves as COS Secretary and has been affiliated with COS since its inception. Joyce works for the Social Security Administration. She is a member of the Pasadena First Church of the Nazarene.

Karen Wong

Karen serves as COS Treasurer and is one of our newest Board members. She has volunteered with COS for a number of years. She is a Senior Environmental Specialist for the Southern California Gas Company. In this position, she makes sure companies are in compliance with environmental regulations. Her specialty is water quality. She attends the Evergreen Baptist Church of Los Angeles.

David Danner

David is an elementary school teacher in the San Gabriel Valley. During the years, he has at times taught students with special needs. He regularly attends the Sunday evening services at COS. His compassion and love for all who come to COS is obvious. He is a member of the Glendora Church of the Nazarene.

Rosalie Mills

Rosalie is a Compliance Specialist for Capital Group in Los Angeles. Capital Group manages the American Funds (mutual funds). Rosalie monitors the funds for compliance with government and Board regulations. She is a member of Christian Community Center, Free At Last' Ministries, in Sunland.

Leroy Thomas

"Thomas," as we like to call him, is from the Hollywood community and has been with COS since 1994. He is a retired gentleman who was forced into early retirement years ago from a work-related back injury. His faithfulness and joy while living in extreme pain on a low income are an encouragement to all at COS.

Suzanne York

Sue has been attending COS since 1996 and volunteering on a very regular basis these many years. She became a Board member during 2006 at the same time Karen Wong became a Board member. She is a Clerical Supervisor for Cornerstone, one of the San Fernando Valley Community Mental Health Centers. At Cornerstone, homeless people with mental health issues are helped to get on Social Security and MediCal; stabilized with psychiatric counseling and medications; helped to overcome alcohol and drug addictions; and given help getting into local shelters, transitional housing and eventually into Section 8 housing.

Weekly Schedule

Worship services with children's church:

    Sundays 6:00 p.m.

Bible study:

    Thursdays 6:00 p.m.

Pantry:

    Second and fourth Saturdays by appointments made on Sunday evenings.

Locations in Hollywood

Church:    6176 Santa Monica Blvd.

Pantry:    1072 El Centro Ave.

(The Children of the Shepherd is located on the corner of Santa Monica Boulevard and El Centro Avenue. Bible study entrance is at 1076 El Centro Avenue. No mail is received at these locations.)