Molly, housing case manager reporting:
“I get to work with our guests to help them get back into housing. Last week we worked with a fellow who was on the streets and wasn’t coming into shelter. Several staff all worked together to get him into the shelter. He had a lot of medical needs and was in a wheelchair. I am happy to report we identified income and a safe place for him to move into!”
Here is a message from one of our staff, Jo, about a project she is doing with our guests. She explains: “I began facilitating a Creative Writing class/workshop here at Hospitality House about four months ago once a week, to which some of the most frequent guests have been referring to as ‘writing therapy sessions’. Since I was 12 years old, writing has been my ‘church’ and has helped me process so much, that I wanted to be able to share this gift with the guests here at the shelter, and help them realize the ability to heal through writing.
In the beginning I had 4-6 attendees, and as time has progressed my average attendance is 8-12 guests ; five of which have been coming since the get go. We always begin our sessions with a ‘free write’, which has been adapted from Julia Cameron’s ‘Artist’s Way’ and her morning pages. This has proven to not only be cathartic, but assists in sifting out the clutter to make room for more creative flow. I am elated to report that over the last four months I have seen first hand the intelligent, intuitive nature and healthy processing of deep-seated issues and traumas through various creative writing prompts and group sharing”.
Now down to the nitty gritty needs of the shelter for THIS week . . .
– Extra-long twin bed for a tall gentleman who moved into a place several months ago and is sleeping on a cot.
– Double stroller
– Toilet paper
– Jelly for sandwiches
– Mens and womens shorts
Drop off your donations at Utah’s Place, located in Brunswick Basin, past the DMV, at 1262 Sutton Way. Or email Debbie@hhshelter.org with questions.
On another note, if you know someone who is moving or downsizing, have them drop off their extra things to Bread & Roses Thrift, 10-5 Tuesday through Saturday, located next to Big A Drive-In and Sierra Cinemas. And because it is elections week: “Volunteering is the ultimate exercise in democracy. You vote in elections once a year, but when you volunteer, you vote every day about the kind of community you want to live in”. Thank you to all who volunteer your time!