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Shelter Snippets
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March 2009
Volume 3, Issue 2
A monthly newsletter connecting volunteers, staff and management of Safe Harbor |
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Happy Birthday to our valuable volunteers and staff!
Michelle Johnson- March 2
Cheryl Brown & Jose Montalvo-
March 3
Lynae Young-
March 6
Jamie Ridge-
March 9
Randy Knight-
March 11
Karen Maspero-
March 12
Kitty Dunlop & Bill Walllis-
March 13
Michael Alfonsi & Barbara Marchese-
March 15
Kayleigh Ayers-
March 18
Patti Thornton-
March 21
Kathleen Price-
March 23
Adrienne Nash-
March 28 |
Commissioner Kathy Cozzone shares her thoughts
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Shout Out goes to...
Mr. Greg Radford, an Architect right here in West Chester, needs to be complimented on his creativity in designing the new second floor and the remodeling of the existing facility. His imagination really hit home with his concept of a lighthouse as the entry way to Safe Harbor. When it is completed in the summer of 2009, the Borough, the men and women that will live there and our neighbors will be very proud to have this great support system in their community. Thank you Greg for your support and friendship to the Safe Harbor community. |
Another
Shout Out goes to...
The new temporary home was provided by Stan and Scott Zukin from Zukin Realty right here in the Borough of West Chester. Besides sharing their space, so men and women less fortunate could have a roof over their head while construction was going on, the temporary location is right across the street from the existing shelter's location at 20 N. Matlack St. Thank you so very much Stan and Scott Zukin.
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Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress
On January 28, 2009, the Chester County Department of Community Development (DCD) participated in the Point-in-Time Count as part of HUD's "Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress".
On that night, a team of volunteers and DCD staff canvassed the streets of West Chester, Coatesville, Kennett Square, Phoenixville, and other areas of the County between 7 and 10 PM to conduct a physical count of unsheltered homeless individuals.
Results from the 2009 Point-in-Time Count Number of unsheltered
Volunteers for this county-wide effort on January 28, 2009 documented:
15 unsheltered homeless men, and
2 unsheltered homeless women
These individuals were confirmed to be living on the street with no place to stay.
Other Homeless Numbers from January 28, 2009
Reported to DCD by Chester County Transitional Housing and Emergency Shelters:
Individuals residing in Chester County's 10 Emergency Shelters on that night totaled:
90 single men
24 single women, and
33 people in families, including a total of 20 children
81% of the total Emergency Shelter beds available in Chester County were filled that night.
Individuals residing in Chester County's 5 Transitional Housing programs on that night totaled:
45 single individuals, and
138 people in families, including a total of 92 children
These numbers represented 84% capacity of all Transitional Housing beds available in Chester County.
Information provided by:
Chester County Department of Community Development (610) 344.6900 |
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Expansion for Single Homeless Women Update
 The Safe Harbor expansion is in its final stages of planning. We have awarded the construction contract and are currently negotiating value added pricing and tax breaks for them. We are working closely with the Department of Community Development and holding meetings several times each week to ensure we cross every T. and dot every i. Our current plan is to begin construction in early April.
You'll be happy to know that Glenn Fricke found temporary facilities in the Borough for our residents to be served during construction. We hope to not miss a beat!
The key concern is still financing. The bids came in higher than expected, raising our total combined budget for construction and first year operations to $1.5 million. We are currently at just above $800,000 in commitments and funds received. That leaves a very daunting $700,000 we must raise as a caring community.
We invite everyone to our Gala at QVC fund raiser on April 18th from 4:00 to 7:00 PM. Our hostess for the event will be our new friend Jane Treacy, longest running on-air personality at QVC. Lots of food and beverages, entertainment and terrific items to bid on. Many local and some national celebrities will be there. It is always a fun way to spend an afternoon.
We are also raising funds through other unconventional means such as concerts and other events. Our P.R. reach is about to extend beyond the Borough and into the greater Philadelphia market so we can cast a larger net for donors.
Fund raising is the primary (and only) activity at the moment. We are in dire need of funding, so any help would be greatly appreciated. Please spend a little time on our new web site at www.safeharborofgwc.org. You'll learn a bit more about our plans and you may even spot a friend or two in the Testimonials section!
Congratulations on another successful year. God willing, next year will offer warm, safe and long term help for our single homeless sisters.
Warmest regards,
Dan Williams
Board President
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 What's Cookin'
Longhorn Steakhouse in Exton will be donating surplus food to Safe Harbor once a week. We are looking for volunteers to take on the responsibility of picking up this donation and bringing it to the shelter on Wednesdays between 7:00 and 8:30 a.m. Please consider sharing your time weekly or monthly. You may call Tariya at 610-696-9016 to sign up! Thanks so much!
Help Needed
Once the second floor is built to house homeless single women (sometime this spring), a second dinner seating for the women is being planned. The women will be eating at 4:30 p.m. followed by the men at 6:30 p.m. Meals are served seven days a week.
An expanded pool of volunteers will be needed for this added seating. Please consider taking one day a month to meet this need.
Needs:
Hot meal for 25-30 people
Including:
Meat
Starch
Vegetable/salad
Fruit
Bread
Deliver food and help with serving and cleanup
4:00 - 5:30 p.m. (3 people)
Many of the volunteers are in groups through church, sports, community, etc. It would take approximately a team of 6-8 people to meet this upcoming need. Would you consider getting a group together to serve the homeless of Chester County (once a month, once a quarter or as an emergency backup)?
"Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick in the prison and did not help you"? "I tell you the truth, whatever you will not do for once of the least of these, you did not do for me." ~Matthew 25:44-45 |
In Remembrance
We are saddened to inform you that Charley Boss passed away on January 30. Charley worked full time at the shelter as our overnight staff person from December 15, 2004 to March 31, 2008. Charley was known to keep excellent log book notes and always ended his shift with writing "Newsy Notes" on the shelter happenings of our residents or activities.
We are also saddened to learn of the passing of Mary Biegenwald on February 23, 2009. Mary was an active member of Marshallton United Methodist Church, serving as vice president of the United Methodist Women and coordinator for Safe Harbor meals. |
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| Please consider donating an item or basket for our QVC auction. You may drop off any donations by April 1 to Safe Harbor at 20 N. Matlack St. Some suggestions include:
Anything Chocolate, Tea and Coffee, Nail Care, Hair Care, Artwork, Sports, Beach Accessories, Wii, I-pod, Gift Cards
We appreciate your generosity and look forward to your attendance at our Annual Spring Event on April 18 at QVC from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.! | |
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You are cordially invited to the
The Third Annual
"Friends of Safe Harbor"
Fundraising Event
To raise awareness of the Shelter and the service it provides
to the homeless men and women in our community
Saturday, April 18, 2009
The Atrium ~ QVC Studio Park
1200 Wilson Boulevard, West Chester, PA 19380
4 pm- 7pm
Featuring
Hors D'oeuvres ~ Martini Bar
Music, Silent & Live Auction
An Outer Banks Beach Home Rental ~ Golf Outings ~ Theme Baskets ~ Plus...
~ The Presentation of a Special Community Service Award ~
by Pennsylvania State Senator Andy Dinniman
Tickets $75 per person
Reserve early seating is limited!
Attire ~ business casual
All proceeds benefit Safe Harbor
Please R.S.V.P.
Name (of each individual attending) ______________________________________________________________________
Address ____________________________________________________________________________________________
Phone __________________________________ E-mail: _____________________________________________________
Yes, I am able to attend. # of Tickets _______ x $75 = $ ___________ Enclosed.
No, I am unable to attend but please accept my donation of $ _________
You may donate on-line through our website.
SAFE HARBOR OF GREATER WEST CHESTER, INC.
20 NORTH MATLACK STREET, WEST CHESTER, PA 19380
(610) 692-6550 Fax (484) 631-0105 www.SafeHarborofGWC.org
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