The Leadership Simi Valley class of 2009 has announced that its capstone project will be refurbishing and renovating Sarah's House, a Christian maternity home.

Project chair Sommer Barwick said the 16-member class chose Sarah's House because of its commitment to helping homeless women in the community.

The class hopes to improve the quality of life of those who live at Sarah's House by reconstructing the outside rear patio cover, installing new ceramic tile and interior carpeting and sprucing up the office.

"One of the reasons we selected it is because we felt like it was a really solid project we could work on and something that we could start and finish in the time period we had," Barwick said. "And it's something that we could gain community support on."

Established in Simi Valley in March 1991, Sarah's House was designed to support homeless women during their pregnancy and promote in them a sense of responsibility.

Residents are offered sessions with a family counselor as well as classes on nutrition, birthing, financial management, adoption, home safety, single parenting, infant care, cooking and crafts. The goal is to provide the homeless women with the skills and resources to hopefully find a better life after their baby is born, Barwick said.

"It prevents homelessness in our community and it really instills confidence in the women and an independence," she said.

Sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce since 1988, Leadership Simi Valley is a 10-month civic leadership development program that brings together individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences.

Each monthly, day-long meeting is themed, with topics including government, economic development, law enforcement, media, education, health and human services, the arts and ethics.

Locals can apply for the September-to-June program or be nominated for it, but all applicants must live or work in Simi.

Though Barwick, 30, lives in Moorpark, she has worked for the city of Simi Valley for two years as a senior management analyst in the citizen services division.

"I actually was so excited about the program as a way to learn more about my community and see where I fit in," Barwick said. "It has been beyond my expectations, the amount of information you glean about your community."

To raise money for the project, the class has launched a recycling campaign, placing collection bins where they work and at places they frequent.

Barwick said the campaign is twofold in that it raises muchneeded funds for the project and also creates awareness about the importance of conserving resources.

The class will also hold a large-scale fundraiser called "Bowling for Babies" on March 22 at Brunswick Zone. Each bowler must raise at least $100 to benefit Sarah's House.

Teams will be made up of current class members, Leadership Simi Valley alumni and community leaders.

The business community can also help. The class is hoping to get supplies and materials donated, including tile, carpet and wood.

Barwick said the class is also asking for rocking recliners to make the front rooms and office more comfortable for both mothers and infants.

"We're hoping to get a lot through in-kind contributions and a lot of that includes labor," Barwick said.

The Leadership class has a goal of raising $10,000 to $15,000, not including in-kind contributions.

Class members will start working on Sarah's House this month. They must complete the project before graduation in June.

For more information on Sarah's House, visit sarahshouseonline.org.

To learn more about Leadership Simi Valley, visit www.simivalleychamber.org.