House News
from House Manager, Linda Robertson

As we continue to find more ways in which to assist our clients in their efforts to successfully transition out of shelter, we still need a few volunteers (with trucks) who would be willing to let us call on them, every now and then, to pick up an appliance/piece of furniture for delivery to the client’s new home. Please give me a call (353-7512) if you’re interested in helping out in this way.

I would also like to invite all of our trained volunteers to attend monthly volunteer/staff meetings on the first Wednesday of each month at 3:30pm at the House. If you’re not a trained volunteer, but would be interested in becoming one, please call (353-7512) or email (houseofhope.grics.net)

We’re also looking for volunteers to work BINGO on Tuesday nights and to help with various fundraising activities. Please contact Board Member, Anna Freidinger at 241-7048 or via email if interested.

We’ve been very busy at the House, getting ready for spring, with the help of our clients, volunteers and full time staff. We’ve converted our toy room (toy area now located in the living room) into a main level conference/office area, our food pantry into clothing pantry and made room in our kitchen for a standup food pantry. This way, we can more easily assess our needs, whether it is for a particular clothing size or consumable item. We also maintain a “career” closet, so that our clients are ready for interviews and court appearances. We want to make the best use of available space to safely assist our clients and their children. Please be assured that even though we can’t currently take clothing items, when you donate them to agencies like Christian Civic Outreach and Township Relief, our clients may very well be receiving these donated items, at a later date. Part of our mission involves getting our clients involved with all local available resources to help them stay independent, once back on their feet and out in their communities. Likewise, each one of our full time staff members now carries a caseload, ensuring accountability for client service plans. Our volunteers and part timers continue to fill in schedule gaps and provide for round the clock crisis call coverage and shelter management.