Join Me For ShelterWalk 'n Roll In Town Square

>

As many readers might know, I work to coordinate the special events for the Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless. On Sunday, May 2, 2010 MCCH will have a very special event to celebrate the organization’s 20th anniversary and it’s in our Rockville Town Square.

Spend Saturday at Austin Grill’s Cinco de Mayo, then come back on Sunday to walk for the homeless. During ShelterWalk ‘n Roll 2010, you’ll be able to learn about the organization, help to raise awareness about homelessness and support MCCH’s programs.

We’ll have live acoustic rock music by the JDN Band featuring Jack Worthington, Denise D’Amico and Neal Herron. They play crowd-pleasing rock from the past few decades all around Montgomery County and we’re pleased they volunteer to headline our Walk each year! You can hear them at their MySpace page.

We’ll have face painting, crafts and games for the kids during this fun, energy-filled afternoon. Last year’s ShelterWalk ‘n Roll was a downpour all day! I am really hoping for a beautiful sunny time in our Square this year.

Event Schedule
1:00 p.m. – Registration, music and festivities begin
2:00 p.m. – 1 mile walkathon around Town Center commences, rain or shine
Music and festivities will continue after the walk.

Registration Fees
You can register at the event online, by mail or on the day of the event:
$25 for Adults (includes a T-shirt)
$15 for Children under 18 and students with college I.D. (includes a T-shirt)
Free for children under 5

Register online by clicking on the “Donate” tab and completing the donation form. Indicate “ShelterWalk” in the “Gift Designation” section and list the names and ages of the walkers you are registering.

Register by mail by sending a completed registration form and check to:
Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless
Attn: Cindy Cotte Griffiths
600-B East Gude Drive
Rockville, MD 20850

If you need any additional Information, you can contact me by email cindy@mcch.net or phone 301.217.0314 x118.

This year the t-shirts are going to be green because for the 20th anniversary, MCCH has adopted the symbol of a tree. From 1990 – 2010 MCCH has been:

Branching Out. Cultivating Change. Growing Community.

I hope you’ll be able to come by the Square and participate.

Thankful For New Shoes

>

Today several doctors and medical professionals from Georgetown Hospital led by Dr. Paul Cooper conducted foot exams for the men staying at Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless’ (MCCH’s) Home Builders Care Assessment Center. Through the Heart to Sole program, each of the men also received a brand new pair of shoes.

Approximately 100 very appreciative men lined up at 1:30 p.m. Some of the men didn’t have any shoes and were wearing sandals. Others had shoes which were worn and ragged.

All the men circulated around four stations for foot exams, medical advice, and proper shoe sizing. Each man was helped to find the perfect shoe for their needs. The donated footwear included quite an assortment. After receiving socks and shoes, volunteers were on hand to make sure they fit properly.

Since I work part-time for MCCH, I sorted the shoes and helped the men find the right pair. Some of the men wanted dressy shoes for job interviews while others needed work boots. Many were grateful to be given waterproof winter boots because the cold season is upon us. It’s always a good feeling to have a brand new pair of shoes.

Today these medical professionals and their families made a difference. The men were truly thankful.

May you all find much to be thankful for as well. Happy Thanksgiving!

Ribbon Cutting For A Transformation

Did you know that on any given day in our community, over 1,100 people are experiencing homelessness? Seventy-two percent of the homeless adults in Montgomery County have at least one disability. Twenty-six percent work but cannot afford housing.Yesterday County Executive Isiah Leggett and many public and private partners officially cut the ribbon for the >new addition to the Gude Drive Complex, which provides emergency shelter, temporary housing and a range of on-site supportive services to homeless men in Montgomery County. Mr. Leggett spoke about his belief that communities are judged on how well they treat those with the least.

This facility goes a long way in helping those most in need. The Complex puts a roof over the:

• The administrative and program offices for the Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless (MCCH), for which I work part-time.
• MCCH’s Home Builders Care Assessment Center, a 24/7 shelter for men experiencing homelessness
• MCCH’s Adrianne’s Safe Havens, a transitional housing program for 15 homeless men with chronic metal illness
• Community Ministries or Rockville’s (CMR’s) Chase Partnership House, transitional housing for 36 homeless men in recovery

Sharan London, the Executive Director of MCCH described the tremendous changes made possible with the programs at the Gude Drive Complex:

We’re standing at the old county landfill… and on this landfill, this complex was built. All of our partners–the County, the State, the Housing Opportunities Commission and Home Builders Care Foundation – had a role in making these buildings out of nothing… taking a literal wasteland and building temporary homes for hundreds of men. I am struck by how that work parallels what we are doing for the men who stay here. We bring them in when they often have nothing, and help them to rebuild their lives.

I am thankful for the men like John who came to the HBCAC having lived on and off the streets for over a year, struggled with addiction and is now enrolled in a certificate program at Montgomery College which will lead him out of homelessness and into housing.

And I am here today for men like Michael who is finally feeling comfortable enough while living at Adrianne’s Safe Havens to meet with a psychiatrist and talk about the illness that lead him to live in the woods for years.

I am especially grateful to Rick Nelson for DHCA’s support, to Stephanie Killian and Joe Giloley who came to look at the old bus repair station that was Chase and the old Conservation Corps building that was Safe Havens to see about renovating those buildings and who said “We’re housers and people shouldn’t live like this.”

It is a pleasure and honor to be part of both the physical transformation of the complex and the transformation of the lives of the men who stay here. And I am deeply honored to be a part of the team that does both. Thank you all.

A resident of the Home Builders Care Assessment Center, James Toler, also told his story:

I first came to the shelter in 2000 when the original building had just been built. Fortunately, I never had to stay in the trailer but heard from other residents that it was basically like being outside. You were still exposed to the elements and the wind came through the doors and windows. They didn’t feel safe or comfortable. I also got to see the other two buildings here – Adrianne’s Safe Haven and Chase Partnership House. Both were in terrible condition.

I left the shelter a month later after finding a new job. I eventually started my own landscaping company, which I ran for five years with my son. When our customers couldn’t afford our services anymore because of the downturn in the economy, I eventually lost my business, my apartment, and ended up back here this past April.

The construction at Gude Drive had just been completed and I was surprised at the changes. The new additions provide basic things like access to more showers and laundry. There’s also more space for other important things like studying, drawing, medical care, and private offices to meet with your case manager so they can help you put your life back in order. There’s also space for the Back-to-Work project. I participate in this project and work with the vocational counselor who helps residents find jobs. I am working to pursue a drafting course at Montgomery College so that I can become a Landscape Architect.

I’ve stayed in other shelters and call the Home Builders Care Assessment Center the Hilton of Shelters – it’s safe, clean, and state-of-the-art. It gives you the opportunity to get past the anger, the frustration. It makes the unmanageable manageable. I want to thank all the people here who helped make these new buildings possible – from the County Executive to the guys working the construction site. Thank you. I also want to thank Mr. Butler and the rest of the staff at the Home Builders Care Assessment Center, and also all the volunteers who bring warm and nutritious food. These new facilities will ensure that homeless men in Montgomery County have a safe, nurturing environment to rebuild hope, dignity and a positive future with a permanent home.

What also touched me was a resident of Chase Partnership House who gave me a tour and enthusiastically pointed out the rooms, common areas, and a photo mural depicting years of images from this CMR program. He was so proud and you could tell how this was his home.

Ted Smart of the Home Builder’s Care Foundation (HBCF) spoke about being grateful to be a part of the team to construct the addition and he was a volunteer project manager. HBCF donated $300,000 in goods and services to make this addition possible and he expressed how pleased all of the builders are to give back to the community.

The Gude Drive Complex shows how a community working together can change lives.

Open House Invitation Take Two

>

Back in April, I invited all our readers to the Open House to celebrate the newly-completed Gude Drive Complex, but construction delays postponed the event. Everything’s finally ready so please stop by tomorrow, Thursday, June 18, 2009 from 4:30 – 6:30 PM for this rare chance to see the entire facility.

The Gude Drive Complex at 600 East Gude Drive, Rockville was developed by Montgomery County and houses Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless (MCCH’s) Home Builders Care Assessment Center, Adrianne’s Safe Havens and offices, along with Community Ministries of Rockville’s Chase Partnership House.

In addition to seeing my office, you’ll be able to see all of the Home Builders Care Assessment Center (HBCAC) including the new laundry, bathroom and shower facilities, two medical exam rooms, and a meeting space and computer lab for educational and vocational activities. HBCAC provides 24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week shelter and services for men experiencing homelessness and serves approximately 900 men over the course of a year. This addition was added onto the original 8-year-old building because demand for shelter and comprehensive services for homeless individuals has increased dramatically.

A shared-facilities building has also been built for Adrianne’s Safe Havens, Community Ministries of Rockville’s Chase Partnership House, and offices for MCCH services and staff. Prior to the new construction, housing and services for both programs were delivered in substandard buildings on site. In addition to providing transitional shelter for 51 men, the new building will feature offices for staff, two dining rooms, two life skills kitchens, two computer labs, laundry and bathroom facilities, conference rooms, and lounges.

Parking at the Complex is limited. Guests are encouraged to car pool. Parking is available at a neighboring property 400 East Gude Drive. Here’s a map. Be careful walking along Gude Drive! If you want to find me, I”ll be giving tours of MCCH’s administrative offices.

Invitation from MCCH and CMR

>
UPDATE: We are very sorry to report that the Open House must be postponed due to the construction in the parking lot as pictured here. Our local weather report has rain coming in before and during the event as well, so we are going to have to wait!

Last year I took a position with the Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless (MCCH). We are having an Open House to celebrate the newly-completed Gude Drive Complex and I would like to invite all of our readers to stop by for a visit this Thursday, April 2, 2009 from 4:30 to 6:30 PM at 600 East Gude Drive, Rockville, MD 20850.

The Gude Drive Complex, owned and developed by Montgomery County, houses MCCH’s Home Builders Care Assessment Center, MCCH’s Adrianne’s Safe Havens and offices, and Community Ministries of Rockville’s Chase Partnership House. The Open House is a rare and special opportunity to see all of the facility (and my office!).

The Home Builders Care Assessment Center (HBCAC) provides 24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week shelter and services for men experiencing homelessness. Approximately 900 men are served over the course of a year. The addition was added onto the original 8-year-old building. Demand for shelter and comprehensive services for homeless individuals has increased dramatically. The capacity of the existing building was 100 men. An additional 35 men were served by an on-site trailer, which has been closed. There are now 35 new beds in the HBCAC building. The addition will primarily be used to provide a range of new services including new laundry, bathroom and shower facilities, two medical exam rooms, and a meeting space and computer lab for educational and vocational activities to be conducted.

A shared-facilities building has also been built for Adrianne’s Safe Havens, Community Ministries of Rockville’s Chase Partnership House, and offices for MCCH services and staff. Prior to the new construction, housing and services for both programs were delivered in substandard buildings on site. In addition to providing transitional shelter for 51 men, the new building will feature offices for staff, two dining rooms, two life skills kitchens, two computer labs, laundry and bathroom facilities, conference rooms, and lounges.

Keep an eye out for parking instructions to adjacent properties. We don’t have much parking on site. We hope you can attend!

Can You Cook A Chicken?

>Thanks to a wonderful outpouring of support, all the chickens have been picked up! Thanks to all of you who helped with this effort! Cindy

This may seem like a strange question.

Last month I started working for the Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless (MCCH) and we have an urgent request. The Montgomery County Men’s Emergency Shelter just received a donation of 150 whole frozen chickens! Each chicken will provide 4 to 5 meals for our residents. Here’s the problem … we have no way to cook them at the shelter!

We need help! We need volunteers to swing by the men’s shelter at 600-B East Gude Drive in Rockville, pick up a chicken (or multiple chickens!), cook and slice the bird at home, and bring the prepared chicken back to the shelter. You could even add a side item or two to round out the meal.

Please call the shelter directly at (301) 545-5025 to arrange pick-up of the frozen chicken(s). Problems? Call Darrell Butler at (240) 418-1406.

Just a little bit of your time and your culinary expertise will make you the Top Chef for a neighbor in need.