The Auburn Christian Faith Community recognizes that one of the basic commands of our Lord Jesus Christ is to shelter the homeless, clothe the naked and feed the hungry. We are aware that some of our neighbors are homeless and do not have a safe place to sleep during the coldest months. Because of our practical faith, we are committed to addressing this need to the extent that we are able and allowed by circumstances to do. We welcome the energy and talents of all who would like to help. We confidently put our efforts in the hands of the Savior who calls us to life.
How simply and beautifully Father Dennis Shaw summarizes the mission of Chapel House, a homeless shelter preparing to open soon in the Holy Family school building on North Street in Auburn.
It began one Sunday with his homily about how shocked and saddened he was to read in the paper, that in this charming town of good, decent families and quality of life, that we actually have children going to bed hungry and people living out in the cold right in our backyards. He asked, “What would Christ do? What would Jesus want us to do, expect us to do?” His words were too poignant to fall on deaf ears, and that is where it began.
The hours of operation for Chapel House will be from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m., seven days a week. This is a men's shelter, with women and children accepted on an emergency basis only until other arrangements can be made through the Department of Social Services. We expect to open in October or November.
Many, many volunteers are needed, as well as your prayers. The key to the success of Chapel House will be those volunteers who are willing to work a few hours every week. Many volunteers are needed to work just one night a week with the homeless, or to help for 2-3 hours just one day a week with breakfast or dinner, washing sheets and towels or cleaning the gym and restrooms. Another simple and very kind act that would help is if we could get a schedule of 30 people willing to bring a warm meal to the homeless just once a month. Something warm and homemade to eat just makes a person feel better, and is good for the soul ... don't you think?
Funding is also a priority. Working with the many layers of government and service agencies can be rather daunting, but we are doing our very best to work through it each day to try to obtain some funding. The shelter will be run entirely with volunteers until enough funding is secured to allow for some paid night staff. We are most grateful to the anonymous donors who provided us with $2,000 in seed money to get this project off the ground.
The strength of a society is judged by how it takes care of its weakest members. We show our true colors, the true character and compassion of this community by sharing our resources of time, talent and treasure with those less fortunate ... no matter what circumstances have brought them to this point in life. We all need a hand to pull us up now and again, don't we?
One day while talking to my dad about the shelter, I kept referring to the homeless people as “they.” He said to me, “they” are “us.” “They” are part of someone's family here in Auburn. “They” are somebody's father or sister or brother or uncle.
He's right, they are us.
A core group of dedicated people have been working very hard over the last few months to make this happen: Father Dennis Shaw, Craig Morrision, Richard Wolter, Rosemary Wolter, Ormie King, Bill Foley, Andrea Pease, Sandy Weiman, John Kinary, Noreen Kinary, Laurie Trojnar, Sue Buehler, Scott Buehler, Mary Warter, Carol Murray, Michael Mesier, Al Nicolella, Georgie Caliendo, Rosemary Donato, Tim Donovan, Michaelene Lavey, Jake Walter, Helen Delaney, Sue Lepak, Kitty Parisi, Joan Schuster, Dave D'Alberto, Bill Tonzi, Ted Lang and Margaret Lepak.
The assistance and support from the following local organizations and people has been invaluable: Elane Daly of the Cayuga County Department of Health; Mike Mancini of the Cayuga County Department of Social Services; Dave Sutkowy, commissioner of the Onondaga Department of Social Services; Brian Hicks and Ed LaDouce of the City of Auburn Code Enforcement; the Auburn Fire Department; Officer Jim Slayton and the Auburn Police Department; Jenny Haines and the Auburn/Cayuga County Homeless Task Force; Paul Welch of the Oxford Street Inn Homeless Shelter; Sen. Mike Nozzolio; Laurie Trojnar of Catholic Charities; Martha King-Adessa of the Cayuga County Mental Health office; the Coalition for the Homeless; Frank McKay of HUD; the Holy Family Clothes Closet, and our neighbors at the Auburn Holiday Inn: Linda Knight and Judy McKeen, for their generous supply of gently used sheets and towels.
Everyone's help is very much needed. Please join us in this worthwhile grassroots effort. Perhaps an entire group from your church or organization would like to join in. We need all your help.
Auburn is a generous and caring community and if we all pull together and each do a little bit, as this town has proven so many times before, we can make this happen. God bless you for your kindness.
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever does.”
- Margaret Mead
Denise Bennett is a parishioner at Holy Family Church in Auburn. She can be reached at deniseb132@yahoo.com
It began one Sunday with his homily about how shocked and saddened he was to read in the paper, that in this charming town of good, decent families and quality of life, that we actually have children going to bed hungry and people living out in the cold right in our backyards. He asked, “What would Christ do? What would Jesus want us to do, expect us to do?” His words were too poignant to fall on deaf ears, and that is where it began.
The hours of operation for Chapel House will be from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m., seven days a week. This is a men's shelter, with women and children accepted on an emergency basis only until other arrangements can be made through the Department of Social Services. We expect to open in October or November.
Many, many volunteers are needed, as well as your prayers. The key to the success of Chapel House will be those volunteers who are willing to work a few hours every week. Many volunteers are needed to work just one night a week with the homeless, or to help for 2-3 hours just one day a week with breakfast or dinner, washing sheets and towels or cleaning the gym and restrooms. Another simple and very kind act that would help is if we could get a schedule of 30 people willing to bring a warm meal to the homeless just once a month. Something warm and homemade to eat just makes a person feel better, and is good for the soul ... don't you think?
Funding is also a priority. Working with the many layers of government and service agencies can be rather daunting, but we are doing our very best to work through it each day to try to obtain some funding. The shelter will be run entirely with volunteers until enough funding is secured to allow for some paid night staff. We are most grateful to the anonymous donors who provided us with $2,000 in seed money to get this project off the ground.
The strength of a society is judged by how it takes care of its weakest members. We show our true colors, the true character and compassion of this community by sharing our resources of time, talent and treasure with those less fortunate ... no matter what circumstances have brought them to this point in life. We all need a hand to pull us up now and again, don't we?
One day while talking to my dad about the shelter, I kept referring to the homeless people as “they.” He said to me, “they” are “us.” “They” are part of someone's family here in Auburn. “They” are somebody's father or sister or brother or uncle.
He's right, they are us.
A core group of dedicated people have been working very hard over the last few months to make this happen: Father Dennis Shaw, Craig Morrision, Richard Wolter, Rosemary Wolter, Ormie King, Bill Foley, Andrea Pease, Sandy Weiman, John Kinary, Noreen Kinary, Laurie Trojnar, Sue Buehler, Scott Buehler, Mary Warter, Carol Murray, Michael Mesier, Al Nicolella, Georgie Caliendo, Rosemary Donato, Tim Donovan, Michaelene Lavey, Jake Walter, Helen Delaney, Sue Lepak, Kitty Parisi, Joan Schuster, Dave D'Alberto, Bill Tonzi, Ted Lang and Margaret Lepak.
The assistance and support from the following local organizations and people has been invaluable: Elane Daly of the Cayuga County Department of Health; Mike Mancini of the Cayuga County Department of Social Services; Dave Sutkowy, commissioner of the Onondaga Department of Social Services; Brian Hicks and Ed LaDouce of the City of Auburn Code Enforcement; the Auburn Fire Department; Officer Jim Slayton and the Auburn Police Department; Jenny Haines and the Auburn/Cayuga County Homeless Task Force; Paul Welch of the Oxford Street Inn Homeless Shelter; Sen. Mike Nozzolio; Laurie Trojnar of Catholic Charities; Martha King-Adessa of the Cayuga County Mental Health office; the Coalition for the Homeless; Frank McKay of HUD; the Holy Family Clothes Closet, and our neighbors at the Auburn Holiday Inn: Linda Knight and Judy McKeen, for their generous supply of gently used sheets and towels.
Everyone's help is very much needed. Please join us in this worthwhile grassroots effort. Perhaps an entire group from your church or organization would like to join in. We need all your help.
Auburn is a generous and caring community and if we all pull together and each do a little bit, as this town has proven so many times before, we can make this happen. God bless you for your kindness.
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever does.”
- Margaret Mead
Denise Bennett is a parishioner at Holy Family Church in Auburn. She can be reached at deniseb132@yahoo.com
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