Last Night

This appeared on Facebook:

Last night 61 people found shelter at the Rescue Mission of the Mahoning Valley. (Of those 61 people, 8 were children.) Right now we are collecting new undergarments for all sizes of men, women and children. If you or a group are able to help - please let us know! Have a blessed Monday.

HPRP

A friend sent this link to a NY Times article about HUD's Homeless Prevention & Rapid Re-Housing Program (HPRP). This program has been in place in Mahoning County since last year and is administered through the Catholic Charities Regional Agency. Here is but another example of agency collaboration to address homelessness in our community.

Dinner Theater Photos

Here are some photos from Friday's Dinner Theater, "My Name Is Ruth" by 34 West

My Name is Ruth

Follow this link to hear Moody Radio's interview with Stephen Baldwin of 34West and author of My Name Is Ruth. This will be presented  this evening as a Dinner Theatre to raise funds for the Rescue Mission of Mahoning Valley. I understand that there are still reservations available.

Good Friday

Good Friday is always a special time at the Mission. At 8:00 AM, we invite all clients and staff into the dining room for a time of worship celebrating the crucifixion of our Lord. Our speaker this year was Pastor Matt Mager of Sovereign Grace Chapel. Matt and the church family have been very involved in the lives of the people who stay at the Mission.

 

It was a great message focusing on 3 of the 7 last words of the Savior from the cross. Thanks, Pastor Matt for bring to us the Word so clearly and powerfully.

Cold Weather Program Ends

The Cold Weather Emergency Program ended today. This collaborative effort with Help Hotline brings together many agencies with a single purpose: to see that no one in Mahoning County freezes to death during the winter months. The Mission is the designated shelter for the Cold Weather Program. This year (December 2009 – March 2010), overnight stays for single men, single women, and families were:

• December – 819
• January – 1080
• February – 1071
• March – 1384

This amounts to a seasonal total of 4354 overnight stays. Note that these figures are for those who come to the Mission under the Help Hotline program. These are in addition to clients who are in the Mission’s regular programs.

Here’s the point: in the Mahoning Valley homelessness is - unfortunately – alive and well. We do not always see evidence of the problem (street people, encampments, etc) but it exists.

Dinner Theater

Follow this link to read about 34West's presentation for the Rescue Mission:

34west comes to the rescue - Vindy.com, The Vindicator Local News Youngstown OH