'......for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.'
Matt:35-36
Taking in the
Stranger
The Steadfast Housetransforms lives by providing a safe place with food and care, children are enrolled in neighborhood schools, personal skill building, Christian Women's Job Corp, Steps to Sucess program, women can work and save money for a new start and reintegration back into the community.
On-Going Steadfast House Food Needs:
We need all pantry staples: rice, spaghetti, beans, and canned fruit and vegetables,
Canned Meats (Spam, stew, etc.)Tuna & Salmon, Self Rising Flour, Sugar, Hot and Cold Cereal, Canned Fruits, Saltine Crackers,
Cooking Oil, Juices, Canned Soups, Pasta & Sauce, Peanut Butter, Jelly, Vegetable Oil, Margarine, Quick Grits, Self Rising CornMeal
Spaghetti Sauce
, Salt & Pepper, Coffe & Tea, Powder Creamer, Cheese and dairy products,
Meats- bacon and sausage or any meat products, Fresh vegetables and fresh fruitsHot Dogs,Eggs, Bacon, Pancake Mix, Milk
Sliced Cheese, Soup, Pre-Made Hamburgers, Sandwich Bread, Peanut Butter, Jelly, Lunch Meat, Sloppy Joe mix, Tater Tots, Cereal, Oatmeal, Grits, Poptarts
Here are our top five needs for August/September
Paper products (paper towels/toilet paper), Coffee/Creamer/Sugar, Mops/Brooms/dustpans, Shower Curtains,
Bus Tickets/Passes
Our current volunteer needs:
1. Someone to answer the phones in the afternoons M-F from 1:00-5:00
2. Cook teams for breakfast and lunch on the weekends (Saturday & Sunday)
3. Teach a Class- If you have a skill that you would like to pass on or something that you would like to teach we are open to suggestions and are trying to have more options for our ladies. Classes are usually held week nights from either 5-6PM or 7-8PM but weekends are a possibility also. Some suggested classes/activities are: Zumba, Book Club, Quilting, Journaling or Writing, Career Building , Financial classes, etc…
4. Mentor- through the CWJC we link many of our ladies up with mentors who provide that extra support that they need. It includes weekly Bible Studies and just being a companion and ‘shoulder’ to lean on. If you are interested in being a mentor please contact Brittany Williams and she will pass your information on to the CWJC program.
Newsletter Article from the Steadfast House- September, 2008
Katy is a 58 year old woman had never been homeless before July, 2007. She became homeless when both of her hands were disabled and she could no longer drive and lost her job. She suffered from depression and hopelessness. It took Katy almost a year to regain her self-confidence, a surgery on her hand, mental health counseling, the help of Homeward Bound’s rental assistance for an affordable apartment, and a job working for us through Land of Sky Council of Aging services to help her rebound and get on her feet. Katy comes from an upper middle class home where her father graduated from Harvard. But she had no family supports in her late 50’s as a single woman, her only living relative a daughter struggling on her own. In her words,” the last thing I expected was to need to live in a homeless shelter!”
A homeless person like Katy these days is not so unusual. We have so many people living paycheck to paycheck, compounded by the housing crisis and all the other economic events today, the Katy’s of the world are much more common. The ministry serves everyone in need and I have a waiting list of over 50 single women and moms with children. I could write a book of stories of people’s loss and need. I can thank God that ABCCM is here and saving lives on a daily basis and that I am part of the army of churches, volunteers, and community helping agencies making a difference to Katy and others like her.
I find inspiration in our cook teams that faithfully supply nutritious meals every month and in Allan Cartridge’s volunteer efforts to keep our shelter safe and in good maintenance order every day year after year. I am also inspired by the unending support of over 250 churches who have given time and money and “sweat equity” to repair and renew this transitional home and our souls as well. Every day I get a chance to be part of something that helps others to grow and find self-determination and a living wage. I am proud to be part of an active ministry that transforms lives. I hope this inspires you to come to the women and children’s shelter and meet me and explore a way you might get involved as a volunteer. We can always use the help and the rewards are great.
