A celebration was held at the Michigan City, First Presbyterian Church on May 5. This was no ordinary celebration, for this was no ordinary winter, either. The guest list included the homeless men of our community, Men's Shelter volunteers, and anyone else who has contributed in various was to the city's shelter this season.

The celebration is extraordinary ...because it was a gathering of those who normally do not socialize together and have only usually  met, in the past, during the hours of the shelter. In addition, the menu and dinner offered was prepared by none other than Chef Pat Molden of Kelly's Table. Since the party was set for the fifth day of May (Cinco de Mayo), Molden created the dinner in homage to Mexican heritage, pride, freedom and independence; truly these are sentiments which were celebrated by the Men's Shelter community.  

The winter has been extraordinary for many reasons, not the least of all has been the eager helpfulness on the part of the Men's Shelter guests in many of the churches which host the shelter. 

"The guests of the Men's Shelter were incredibly helpful in our ministry this past winter. Our office staff and volunteers were in need of some help this season with basic tasks such as breaking down boxes for recycling, moving furniture, and bringing the shelter linens to and from St.Anthony's Hospital," says the Rev. Dr. Ericka Parkinson Kilbourne, Pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Michigan City, "and then they surprised us one night when they waxed and buffed our undercroft floor!" 

When Cilla Grace, of Salon Cilla, saw the Facebook picture of the shining floor and found out who did the work, she immediately wanted to give back. One evening, the men were invited to cross ninth street to have their hair cut for free in her salon.

The winter was extraordinary, as well, because of its extreme cold and dangerous conditions. "We needed to keep the shelter open longer in the mornings and open it earlier in the afternoons just to keep the guys safe from the extreme cold," says Michael Kilbourne, shelter coordinator at the Presbyterian Church. This was done at all shelters around the city and this is a night to celebrate a job well done by all of the shelter coordinators and volunteers.

"A real community was created this season," according to Dr. Kilbourne. "Since my husband had to be there for dinner each Monday night, our three kids and I would join him and the men for dinner, as well. Our Christian tradition teaches us that true community is built in the breaking of the bread together; this season church members and volunteers, shelter guests, and many others lived in to this biblical vision of community, " says Dr. Kilbourne.

From October to April, homeless men are welcomed as guests each night from 7pm-7am in a different church building, with both dinner  and breakfast provided: Mondays, First Presbyterian, Tuesdays: River of Life, Wednesdays and Thursdays: Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Fridays: St. Paul Lutheran Church, and Saturdays and Sundays: Salvation Army. The program is managed by Ed Merrion, of Catholic Social Services. "This year, we have seen more men and also a greater group of younger men since the shelter opened 11 years ago. There is definitely a need and the need is growing. We are so grateful for the many volunteers who make this shelter a reality. I'd love to welcome some new volunteers, as well!" says Merrion. Monetary donations can be addressed to Catholic Social Services, 321 W 11th St, Michigan City, IN 46360. Mr. Merrion can be reached for questions about the shelter at (219) 879-9312. 

From April to October, the Salvation Army manages the shelter, and hosts Monday-Thursday, 9pm-6am; St. Paul Lutheran hosts Friday and Saturday and First Presbyterian hosts Sundays. For donations or questions, Lts. Bill and Taylor Brutto are Head Administrators/Pastors and Denita Tonn is The Community Service Coordinator. Lt. Bill Brutto says, "I think it is great that a community can come together with the same common goal of helping another. Even though the churches are all different denominations, this is a perfect example of unity in the greater church. By giving shelter, food, and clothing we have the opportunity to show the love of Christ to others. We have the chance to change the lives of these men."