As we enter Labor Day weekend and the end of this season, it's hard to believe that summer is winding down. Now, we look forward to fall and all the change it brings, and we feel excited about the final quarter of the year and the many exciting changes coming to Serve City.
SUCCESSES
Our Emergency Shelter, with its 37 beds for men and 13 beds for women, has run at capacity most of the summer and remained consistently full. Although COVID, the economy, substance misuse, mental health challenges, and a host of other factors contribute to the rise in individuals experiencing homelessness, because Serve City truly offers help,
housing, and hope to those hit the hardest, our vulnerable neighbors chose to enter shelter during the summer months when they could have remained on the streets. Whether they move into our 48 Move Forward shared living or 25 efficiency apartments or find housing
elsewhere with the help of our Serve City and Access Counseling team, seeing individuals transition from homelessness to housing and receive the ongoing support they need to remain housed inspires us to improve the work we do continuously. This fall, all of our efficiency units will transition to permanent supportive housing, and one of our group living apartments will transition to youth-only. With all the new exciting changes to come, Serve City was recently blessed to receive CPR/AED training from Hamilton's own EMS Coordinator, Mark Mignery. This training ensures all our staff have the right tools to properly assess any life-threatening challenges our neighbors may endure and to act swiftly to save lives.
Church, company, and individual contributions support our valuable work, as do grants. In addition to the generous and often sacrificial gifts of the former, Serve City has been awarded many of the latter. Butler County United Way, Butler County, and Hamilton City Community Development Block and HOME grants, and a new Youth Homeless Demonstration Program grant will significantly impact our ability to serve those who need permanent supportive housing and transition-age youth, through quality programming and staffing. These funds will also enable us to make much-needed facility improvements, and we’re so grateful. Fundraisers also make it possible for us to do what we do, which makes us especially grateful for a successful Christmas in July event. A local church and a few of our board members lead this, and we appreciate their excellent efforts and rejoice over the results! Finally, we appreciate all who have contributed to our annual Christmas in July friend-raiser which has generated over $10,000 (with donations still coming in)! And though the campaign officially runs through July, like with Christmas, it’s always a good time to give!
The Health Department training has gone well, and the director, assistant director, and the staff have expressed appreciation for the work we do. Health Director, Cindy Hogg, feels confident they will be able to strengthen our partnership to reduce the health factors that contribute to homelessness.
The Source is coming along nicely! Formerly the Serve City Food Pantry, this multi-ministry, multi-use space now hosts regular Lunch n’ Learns and two pop-up food pantries per month, on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays, from 10am-12pm. With the growing number of visits from the Move Forward Step 2 and Step 3 apartments and community members, we aim to expand our dates in the near future as a pilot program.
To make that happen, we want to ensure everyone knows that you can now give to The Source through the Hamilton Community Foundation and our QOP Food Insecurity Fund (QOP Food Insecurity Fund (fcsuite.com)). And since we had to postpone the October Rejuvenating Dignity gala until next year, in its place, we hope to hold a “The Source Stomps Out Hunger” event to benefit the space and the pop-up pantries. Thank you all for helping us get The Source ready to reward our Fill-A-Truck collection winner, Redeemer Church, soon, and for helping make the vision for the space a reality.
STRUGGLES
Homelessness in our community makes conversations about it and collaboration around it challenging. While everyone wants to solve the problem, we do not always agree on the approach. To improve collaboration, Serve City commits to doing our part to increase awareness, understanding, and support while decreasing the negative perception of those we serve. An upcoming Serve City Lunch n' Learn that brings everyone to the table and facilitates open, trusting relationships and partnership to bless the most vulnerable in our community will help. The good news is, we all want the best for our community and those in it, so I am confident that we'll figure out how to best move forward in that direction.
August 31st was International Overdose Awareness Day, "the world's largest annual campaign to end overdose, remember without stigma those who have died and acknowledge the grief of the family and friends left behind". Serve City was fortunate to be invited to participate in Hamilton's observance for this holiday by being at New Life Mission's resource fair, offering help and hope to our neighbors seeking shelter during treatment. While the stigma surrounding substance misuse won't change overnight, we must continue to spread awareness and education about the subject to our community members. Overdoses can be prevented!
SUPPORT NEEDED
Grant funds must go toward specific eligible expenditures, which means we still need your financial support. Please consider how you might contribute your talent, time, and/or treasure to our ministry.
SCRIPTURE
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ (Matthew 25:40, NIV). Bless you, for stepping into the gaps with us to do it for the least of these in our community.
Serving Him at Serve City,
Dr. Tammi Ector
To make a general, unrestricted donation to support Serve City, please go to:
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