About this Episode:

Season 1, Episode 9: Answering the Call with Tara Nierenhausen

What do you do when a mysterious voice says, “you gotta do more?” Non-profit leader Tara Nierenhausen shares her journey to faith-based leadership by answering the call time and time again. From an early age, Tara led with a compassionate heart, bringing home “stray people” and collecting unused items for the homeless. As CEO of Community’s Child, a homeless shelter for women and food pantry for families in a suburb of Los Angeles, she speaks about what to do when the journey becomes hard and what led her from Vancouver to the City of Angels and ultimately to God. Tara is someone you will want to adopt, hug, help and learn from because she is just the real deal.

With God on her side, this is Tara’s incredible story on answering the call…

In this Episode

In this episode…

⭐ Becoming a champion of people: an inherent trait and the camping trip that started it all

⭐ The transformation from lackluster, uninterested student to 4.0 undergrad

⭐ The first call: help families with disabilities. But, “I wasn’t trained for this!”

⭐ A leap of faith taking a $12/hour job

⭐ What to do when God breaks your heart

⭐ Putting God in your bio!? And running your office from a church!

⭐ The way to manifest miracles: coffee, a prayer ritual and this verse

More about Tara

Tara Nierenhausen is the proud wife of her husband Sean, a mother to her daughter Amber, and a grandma to her 3 amazing grandchildren; Joseph, Maya and Evan.

Tara spent the first 45 years of her life in Vancouver Canada where she obtained degrees in social work and special education.  In Canada Tara worked as a director of programs for adults and children with special needs, as an instructor in the special needs department at Vancouver Community College, and was the founder and CEO for a specialized parenting and counseling program serving special needs parents and their children. All combined, Tara has more than 45 years’ experience providing educational and support services to women, children and families.

Tara immigrated to the U.S. in 2001 and settled with her husband in his home town of Redondo Beach.  Upon moving to the U.S. Tara re-enrolled in school and obtained a degree in nonprofit management.  In June of 2005, with support from her husband and 6 local South Bay citizens, Tara founded Community’s Child, a non-denominational Christian 501(c)3 nonprofit. Tara currently serves as Community’s Child’s Executive Director.  Under the guidance of  Community’s Child’s Board of Directors, Tara directs Building Hope’s Transitional Housing Program and Hope Community Center. Annually these programs provide services to more to 11,000 households with 37,000 individuals.

Tara has been the recipient of:  The Soroptimist International– “Making a Difference For Women Award,”- The Lomita Chamber – “Community Service Award,”- President George H.W. Bush’s – “Points of Light Award.” – The Cal-Nev-Ha Foundation, “Distinguished Service Award.” – “The South Bay Woman of the Year for Community Impact Award,” – The Torrance Chamber of Commerce, “Impact Award.” – The Lomita Chamber of Commerce, “Community Champion Award.” – The Lomita, Torrance and South Bay Association of the Chambers of Commerce, “Non Profit of the Year for 2021.”

Tara is very proud of the positive impact Community’s Child’s has on the lives of homeless and disadvantaged South Bay children, families and seniors.  Tara credits Community’s Child’s program success to a hard working board of directors, a dedicated staff team, a dedicated group of volunteers, a strong fundraising committee, thousands of South Bay community supporters and of course, God. Tara truly believes success takes strong faith and a supportive community.

Tara now adds “Official CauseGirl” to her impressive list of credentials.

CauseGirl Call to Action

Tara’s call to action:

First, do the work on you that you need.

Call around and ask to volunteer.

Volunteer by sharing your strengths, skills and passions with others.

“Everyone has talents. And everyone has a passion. You can do something. Call around. Start by asking yourself, “What do you love?” When you volunteer, just the fact that you show up, shows that you care. Then share your skills and build someone’s self-esteem. For women, we’re so busy meeting the needs of others that sometimes we get lost and don’t know who we are. Get this book, Simple Abundance. Little things you can do for yourself each day as guided in this book will help you recognize what you really like and “what your more is.”

3 Ways to support the Community’s Child shelter, Hope Community Center and food pantry program:

1. Gas cards are needed for economically disadvantaged moms and their children at the Center.
2. Branded wearables for teens (the new outreach program from Tara’s CauseGirl protegee).
3. Reusable grocery tote bags for the food pantry program. Be a Child’s Hunger Hero!

To give, inquire with info@cchild.org.

People, Links & Resources

• Community’s Child Organization
• Dr. Peter Johnson, Psychologist in Vancouver
• Partners with Parents Agency in partnership with Social Services in Canada
• Community-based support programs for parents in Canada
• United Way of Greater Los Angeles
• The Justice Institute
• Cal State Fullerton, Non-Profit Management Program
• Matthew 6:33 – Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all things shall be added to you.
• The Bible in One Year – a Commentary by Nicky Gumbel
• Janice Hahn
• Books on Servant Leadership: Developing the Leader Within and Developing the Leaders Around You by John C. Maxwell
• Gallup Strength Finders (now Clifton Strengths) and Discover Your Strengths by Don Clifton
• Books on discovering your unique gifts and passions: The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron Simple Abundance: 365 Days to a Balanced and Joyful Life by Sarah Ban Breathnach

Connect with Us!

⭐ If you haven’t already, subscribe and follow the CauseGirl podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts and never miss an episode! If you love it, don’t forget to rate and review our podcast.

⭐ Let’s keep the conversation going! Find Elena here on Facebook and LinkedIn, and @CauseGirlGlobal on Twitter and Instagram.

⭐ Find Tara Nierenhausen and Community’s Child on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and on Instagram @CommunitysChild.

⭐ We’d be so grateful to hear your takeaways from this conversation. Share your takeaways on Twitter and Instagram at @CauseGirlGlobal or email me directly at elena@thecausegirl.com.

⭐ Want more? Visit TheCauseGirl.com and sign up for more CauseGirl inspo including alerts, events, and more!