 Monday, March 1, we said goodbye to our guests as they rotate to our next RSCP partner site. Our homeless ministry had 25 POP members and 5 members from partner organizations working morning and evening shifts for the months of January and February. Then more members gave us incredible meal support through POP’s very own Meal Ministry which included coordinated meals with Sacred Heart and Congregation Shir Hadash. Did we ever think that handmade masks would be “essential” and then generously supplied by our own POP talent? As the weather became colder, additional members knitted scarves and hats to offer our guests.
This community of faith sometimes seems like it knows no bounds… yet we know we do. We remain bound by the restraints of the pandemic. We get tired. We wish we had a quicker way or a different way to solve the homelessness issues. Still, as a community that enjoys being together, we carry on to lift up one another and our RSCP guests.
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 You may have noticed a shower trailer in front of the Fellowship Hall. It is here at POP on a trial basis. Most shower facilities available to the homeless have shut down during the COVID pandemic. When the Women’s Village House Shelter closed, their portable shower was donated to a group that has wanted to develop it into a ministry to serve the homeless. They began by offering it to the safe car park shelters like RSCP.
This week, another guest called the RSCP number to tell us that he is now “renting a room from an angel.” He called to tell us how much he especially appreciated the welcoming and supportive volunteers at Prince of Peace. He hopes he is able to pay it forward someday soon.
RSCP's mission is to create safe and welcoming spaces where guests who are living in their cars can sleep, stabilize, recover, and gain access to social services. This care for our neighbors who are home insecure is accomplished through the collaboration of faith-based communities, local city governments, and other service organizations. A regular place to park overnight makes a difference. Here are a few recent stories from Rotating Safe Car Park Shelter.
Four months ago, a guest arrived at the RSCP. He needed work, car repairs and a place to live. During his rotations with the RSCP, he worked hard with his case manager and referral services to find a job, repair his car, and this month obtained low-income housing. He now rents his own studio apartment. Seven month ago, a guest arrived at the RSCP. She struggled to stabilize. She parked next to another guest who was a reassuring and supporting presence. The guest remained in good standing with the RSCP as her Dad, her case manager, and others continued to support her. After time in a supportive county shelter, she is a positive presence back here at POP for a week, while she transitions to permanent supportive housing. All the planning is well underway for our next Rotating Safe Car Park (RSCP) Shelter hosting opportunity. Sanitizing/distancing guidelines are in place. We have all the handmade masks and gloves you need. Ulrike H. is working towards filling the RSCP food pantry, Jim W. will be gathering volunteers to provide additional meals (look for the Meal Ministry Volunteer Sign-Up link.) In lieu of a volunteer orientation, we will be sending volunteers a video of what it will look like to work a shift; directed by our very own, Drew A.; but the actors will be a surprise! And remember, you will be paired with an experienced volunteer or new volunteer as appropriate, AND have access to one of the RSCP on-call Leads (Norman, Drew or Karen) if questions outside of the shift instructions arise.
If you have any questions about the safe park hospitality shifts or would like assistance signing up, please email/text/phone Karen at karenhauschildt@outlook.com or 408-206-9338. RSCP's mission is to create safe and welcoming spaces where guests who are living in their cars can sleep, stabilize, recover, and gain access to social services. This care for our neighbors who are home insecure is accomplished through the collaboration of faith-based communities, local city governments, and other service organizations. Our Meal Ministry has been providing weekly lunches to Family Supportive Housing throughout the pandemic.
We have asked Zanotto's Family Markets to make box lunches for our shelter friends during Thanksgiving week to allow our volunteers more time with family. One lunch is approximately $10. If you would like to help defray our cost for these lunches you can do so by including "Meal Ministry" and the amount you would like to contribute in your regular church offering, or you may make a special online gift by clicking HERE. Your continued and generous support for this important ministry is much appreciated by our shelter friends. Family Supportive Housing Fundraising Event: Check out Prince of Peace's Volunteer of the Year Award10/26/2020 Family Supportive Housing of San Jose, often called "The Family Shelter" has been an agency Prince of Peace has supported in multiple ways over the years. This includes our Kids to Camp fundraiser and quarterly meals for shelter families. During the pandemic our liaison to the Shelter, Cathy Schroeder, encouraged us to do more including donations of needed supplies and weekly lunches. Prince of Peace continues to deliver!
Prince of Peace would love to have a large showing of support at the event. Like all things 2020, this fundraiser will be a different version of it's usual form. That's ok because it will be on-line, allowing many more people to participate! In fact, you can show your support and participate for FREE! Register by the end of day today, Friday, October 23, to be entered in the raffle. Register for the event HERE. A donation is not required to participate, but is always welcome. You will also have the option of purchasing a soup dinner, delivered to your home, that you can enjoy during the event. $75 includes dinner for two with choice of three soups, freshly baked bread from Roma Bakery, and a bottle of fine wine from Bert George of Joseph George Wines. The 15-mile delivery area covers most of the South Bay. If you have been looking for some good news and hope this autumn, you will find it here. Sign-up now and share some Peace! |
CommitteeKaren Hauschildt, Norman Puck, Yvonne Strom, Jim Wilczak, Pastor Sara Pearson Archives
March 2021
Community Service AgenciesLinks and Articles of Interest$50 million donation to homeless initiatives
Step up Silicon Valley Video of Poverty Simulation: Moreland School District Homeless in Silicon Valley Blog & Resource Page SPUR Housing Policy (SF Bay Area Planning and Urban Research Association) Storied Streets Categories |
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