Hello Everyone,

Happy April. I am sure this month has us all busy, tax season, Easter, for me a granddaughter’s birthday, a wedding, and a small family reunion… I wish everyone a safe month. The past month sure has been busy.

Transitional Housing

We are thrilled that our tenant has vacated the premises next door and left us a beautiful home that we will soon be able to move clients into. Our Tuesday volunteers from Spectrum gave it a good cleaning and a group will be in this weekend to move and set up the furniture that we have been collecting. This will be clearing out quite a bit of space in our storage area so that is very welcome. 

On the Town

I had the privilege of speaking to the congregation at Spirit of Joy. They are a generous group since I recognize many of them as dropping things by the center frequently. I also got a chance to meet Torrey Barcanic who has written our holiday letter the past 2 years. They are a very supportive group and I appreciate that they invited me.

Donations and Funding

Even as I type I am seeing a UPS man unloading our latest delivery from Bombas socks. They sent us 5,000 pairs! I do not know how they arrived at that number, but we have them! I also received notice last week that they are sending another shipment in December… socks for everyone!

We did experience the happy news this month that we were the recipient of a grant from EFSP (Emergency Food and Shelter Program) in the amount of $60,554. This grant specifically is for Mass Shelter. 

I received notice this month that DES has some new requirements for us regarding insurance and background checks. We are now required to have all employees and volunteers fingerprinted within 10 days of hire. Carol has been working with the insurance people to make the necessary changes and I have been working on the staff and volunteers. The necessity for a part time case manager grows. I am very hopeful that we will find just the right person to fit this need. 

 At the Center

Our employees continue to carry on steadily. 

 We had 13 new people this month and for the first time ever more people used the overnight center than the day center. 

All the best,

Rhonda Bishop

Executive Director