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CARTMELL COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
 Fall 2014 |
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About Cartmell Funeral Home
Now in its third generation, Cartmell Funeral Service is an independent family-owned and operated funeral home. The legacy of care and compassion continues through personal experience and understanding, serving the people of the greater Plymouth area and surrounding communities.
150 Court Street | Plymouth, MA 02360 | 508-746-2162 | Fax: 508-747-3929 | info@cartmellfuneralhome.com
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The Task Force for the Homeless Celebrates Milestone!
In 2004 Connie Melahoures and other members of Christ Church Parish became aware of an acute problem in Plymouth. Little did they know then that they would establish an organization to provide shelter and residences for the homeless and that in ten years it would own and operate three residences!
This past April, the Task Force acquired their third residence which provides permanent affordable housing for those formerly in housing crisis. The building at 366 Court Street in Plymouth was acquired with funds from the Community Preservation Committee and the Town of Plymouth. The house opened in August and accommodates four people plus a house manager.
Currently the Task Force for the Homeless houses a total of 12 residents, both men and women, and three house managers.
A Bit of History
It all began when members of Christ Church Parish, with the support of the Plymouth Area Interfaith Clergy Association, met to discuss what could be done about the homeless problem and a task force was formed. President of the Plymouth Task Force for the Homeless, Connie Melahoures explained that a public relations campaign began in 2004 to bring awareness to the shocking extent of obstacles facing the jobless and homeless in the community. Publicity included speaking before community groups such as the local Rotary, appearances on public TV, and presentations before selectmen and other town boards. The then fledgling task force solicited donations and volunteers to get started with their first program.
Overnights for the Homeless
Five congregations volunteered space to host Overnights for the Homeless and volunteers were recruited to be chaperone hosts and to provide meals. Christ Church Parish hosted the first Overnights of Hospitality in December of 2004 and averaged six guests per night. In 2011 to 2012 the program averaged 14 men per night and on the coldest nights there were as many as 22 guests.
This year, the Overnights for the Homeless program begins November 16 for 18 weeks. During these five months, four local churches will provide a mattress, bedding, a hot meal and snacks, and a warm place to stay during the coldest part of the year.
The churches providing shelter this year are Christ Church Episcopal at the corner of Court and Lothrop Streets; Zion Lutheranat 386 Court Street; the Church of the Pilgrimage at 15 Town Square; and First Baptist Church on Westerly Road.
For more information about the shelter and transportation or opportunities to volunteer, please contact Connie Melahoures by phone at 508-746-3805 or by email. Housing for the Homeless
In 2005, Dr. Robert Nahill offered the loan of his five-bedroom rental unit on Court Street for the program. "Our task force joined the Plymouth County Housing Alliance, a federally funded housing program; secured our 501(C)3; and began planning to purchase the Court Street building for our program. Our long-term goal is to end homelessness in Plymouth," Connie explained.
The Task Force for the Homeless was officially incorporated in April 2005. In the fall, they partnered with John Yazwinski of Father Bill's Place in Quincy (which later became Father Bill's Mainspring), and it established an office in Plymouth. "With their help and our participation in the Plymouth County Housing Alliance, we gained access to federal and state housing subsidies," Connie said. "We were able to take homeless people off the streets and place them into single room occupancy units."
The Task Force applied for funding through the town's Community Preservation Act and the Pinehills Charitable Trust to purchase the Nahill house in 2011, which they called Next Step House.
Renovations to the kitchen and interior painting were completed with the help of Habitat for Humanity's Special Unit and by the fall of 2011, both sides of the duplex were filled with a new house manager in place.
Fundraising
While the Task Force depends on grants and other funding from the town of Plymouth, individuals and corporations are encouraged to donate to help with the expenses of administering programs and services. There are also opportunities to become involved with fundraising efforts.
 The Task Force for the Homeless held its 9th Annual Golf Tournament at Southers March in Carver in August and raised over $27,000 for their program and services.
Watch their website for news of other events. If you would like more information on the Task Force for the Homeless, contact Connie Melahoures by phone at 508-746-3805 or by email.
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Cartmell Sponsors November
Clothing and Winter Essentials Drive for Plymouth Task Force for the Homeless.
Please join with us to help!
The men who reside at one of the Task Force for the Homeless' residences or who seek shelter at area churches in the Overnights for the Homeless Program are in need of clothing and more for the winter.
The National Weather Service says, "It's too early to predict what the temperatures or snowfall
will be ..." But it is safe to say it will be cold and wet and for those in need, winter can be especially harsh.
Kathy Cartmell-Sirrico said, "We want to do what we can to help. Connie Melahoures and the Plymouth Task Force for the Homeless have done a magnificent job of providing programs and services for those without permanent housing. With winter just around the corner, we are initiating a collection for clothing and other winter essentials that are most needed, especially this time of year."
The following items have been mentioned as those most desired. Please consider purchasing one or two and dropping them off at Cartmell Funeral Home, 150 Court Street in Plymouth. Kathy said, "We will have a collection bin available in our entry area during the month of November. We are confident we can count on the generosity of the people of Plymouth!"
Please consider donating any of the following:|
NEW: * Men's underwear - mostly large/x-large but some medium
| * Long-johns - thermal, sizing as above
| * Socks for winter - not too heavy
| * Bed pillows
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NEW OR GENTLY-USED: * Knit caps
| * Winter gloves - xlarge
| * Winter jackets - large, xlarge
| * Sweatshirts/hoodies/zip front fleece shirts
| * Jeans
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OTHER ITEMS: * Walmart gift cards (in any amount)
| * Dunkin Donuts gift cards ($10 max)
| * Soaps/toothpaste, brushes/combs
| * Single edge disposable razors
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No sweaters, please!
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Thank you for your generosity!
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Roxanne, VSO Agent and 13-year Navy veteran, with son Andrew, Navy Corpsman, currently serving at Bethesda Medical Center, and husband, Dale, Navy veteran and Chaplain at the American Legion Post 40.
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Veterans' Services Office -
Helping Veterans in Many Ways
Roxanne Whitbeck, Veterans' Service Agent in Plymouth reports that more than 150 Plymouth veterans are getting State benefits from the Chapter 115 public assistance program, with approximately $850,000 being paid out. On the Federal side, the Veterans' Administration reported that in 2014 more than $2.5 million in Veterans' benefits were received for Plymouth compared to $960,000 in 2009.
Roxanne said, "I am proud of that - it shows that our hard work is paying off and people are getting the benefits they are entitled to."
Under MA General Law Chapter 115, there are guidelines for Veterans assistance to determine who is qualified for benefits and what those benefits should include. Basically, financial assistance is available to veterans and widows/widowers and dependents who have limited income.
Roxanne Whitbeck has been the Veterans' Service Agent in Plymouth for five years and for two years prior, as an administrative assistant for the VSO. She works with Joanne Ewers, who has been with the Veterans' Service Office for five years as well.
"The Plymouth VSO is a very busy office," Roxanne said. "There are more than 4,000 veterans in Plymouth. Veterans are coming home from Iraq and Afghanistan and many need counseling and services." She added, "We are also seeing Vietnam vets who are suffering the symptoms of Agent Orange and who have Type 2 diabetes or prostate cancer. I have a special place in my heart for those guys. You know, they were not exactly welcomed home when they returned from Vietnam. They still feel the pain of the way they were treated - I feel so bad for them."
Roxanne stresses that there is no stigma to asking for help. "Whether they just want to ask a question or sit and chat for awhile, we are here to help them," she explained. "And we always end our conversations by saying, 'Thank you for your service.' That means a lot to them."
Veterans' Gift Account
Years ago, Roxanne set up a special account to help provide monetary assistance to veterans who did not qualify for Chapter 115 benefits. The Veterans' Gift Account helps with daily living expenses like one-time fuel assistance. I'll pay an electric bill or one month's rent to help veterans over a rough patch. I'll purchase gift cards for use at a grocery store or gas station," she added. Donations from local corporations, like Serv-Pro of Plymouth, the Plymouth Athletic Club, VFW, Disabled American Veterans, and the Pinehills Veterans organization go into the Veterans' Gift Account.
Individuals and family members of wounded warriors have also made donations. "Contributors like the idea that the money will go to veterans in the community - keeping it local is very important. She added, "The folks at Cartmell Funeral Home often recommend that donations in memory of a loved one be earmarked for the Veterans' Gift Account - that means a lot to us."
Roxanne said, "It is very rewarding to be able to help someone in desperate need. We can't do something huge - but we can make it easier for veterans - to help pay a utility bill, or get a tank of propane or assist with the bill from an emergency visit to the dentist."
Roxanne Whitbeck also serves as part-time VSO in Plympton, a small community with fewer than 12,000 residents. The Plymouth VSO is located at the Council on Aging, 44 Nook Road; the Plympton VSO is at 5 Palmer Road. The phone number for both Veterans' Service Offices is 508-747-1620.
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Frequently Asked Questions
"What should a person do if a loved one dies
while away from home?"
We are living in a society that is "on the move."
Business trips, vacations to places out of state or out of the country, job transfers, and retirement to locations "away from home" are commonplace. This is why it is especially important to know what to do in case of an emergency.
When traveling, it is helpful for all of us to remember to carry a wallet-size card indicating the name and phone number of the next of kin along with the name and phone number of your funeral home of your choice.
When a death occurs away from home,the first important step is to call your local funeral home.
This should be done regardless of where or when the death takes place. Your funeral director will know exactly what to do and can offer valuable counsel in assisting your family to meet the immediate needs of the emergency. He or she can also help eliminate any unnecessary expense.
At Cartmell Funeral Services, we are very familiar with this unfortunate situation and are trained to deal with it professionally, with compassion and timeliness.
The process includes the following steps: We will arrange to have the deceased transported to a funeral home near where the death has occurred. We will also arrange for embalming, necessary permits to transport, airfare or other transportation home, and payment for services performed by the out of town funeral home. We also arrange for the deceased to be transported to Cartmell Funeral Services so that the family's wishes can be carried out.
"All you need to do is contact us," added Kathy Cartmell-Sirrico, "and we will help you take care of the rest."
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Cartmell Funeral Service, Inc.
Entrusted to the Community for Three Generations |
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About Cartmell Funeral Home
Now in its third generation, Cartmell Funeral Service is an independent family-owned and operated funeral home. The legacy of care and compassion continues through personal experience and understanding, serving the people of the greater Plymouth area and surrounding communities.
150 Court Street | Plymouth, MA 02360 | 508-746-2162 | Fax: 508-747-3929 | info@cartmellfuneralhome.com
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