We're MOVING!

To OIC. Got ya! You thought we were already moving to State Pier Road didn't you? In all seriousness, this lovely office of 6 (Alyssa, Jessica, Tony, Michelle, Gabi, and myself) are moving south (by about a quarter of a mile) for the winter. The adventure begins tomorrow, we'll probably even put off our packing until tomorrow morning so that we get the real feeling of the excursion...or because it wouldn't hurt us to be more organized.

In more seriousness...to make our move to State Pier Road possible we NEED you. This weekend, this Saturday, for as many hours as you can contribute. We need gutters cleaned out, old paint scraped away, and new paint on. This needs to happen before winter for us to move in a timely manner, please please please help us! Be our local superheroes, come to the rescue of your neighbors, and if you jump on this opportunity fast there will be an reward. IF I GET 4 PEOPLE TO EMAIL ME DEDICATING SOME TIME TO HELPING US ON SATURDAY BY TOMORROW MORNING, I WILL BRING A BOX OF JOE. I know it doesn't seem like much, but I'm a VISTA, that's like gold to me.

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=gold&view=detail&id=B2D46DB2C9774CD5F517606B787D04FCCD5EFC1F&first=0&FORM=IDFRIR

Speaking of gold...

That is a fraction of what you, as volunteers, donors, supporters, neighbors, and friends are worth to the Hospitality Center. A giant pile of gold can barely even begin to tell you how much your dedication means, not only to our organization, but to each life you touch with our guests when you help them make resumes, put out job applications, help them get the medications they need, even when you show them where they can find their towels and sheets and smile at them when they come into the shelter after a long day. We never know how their days have gone, the best we can do is offer them a smile and a fairly unlimited supply of coffee, but with your help we are able to offer a friend to listen when the day has felt like it will never end.

With your help, our guests have inspiration and someone who can honestly tell them that there is hope, and then show them where that hope lies. With your help, our guests have role models of a healthy lifestyle and people helping people, which they tend to mimic in their own lives.

The impact you have on the lives of your homeless neighbors is boundless, and though some days I know you'll question if you're really doing anything and some days you'll think that you aren't helping anyone, but TRUST ME, you are. Sometimes all people need is someone else to be there with them, not even necessarily for them, but with them. Sometimes people just need to know or at least temporarily feel like they aren't alone, and you provide that feeling.

Have I flattered you enough yet? I hope your Wednesday is a little brighter now and that you can take that and share it with someone else. Flatter someone today because everyone deserves to be recognized and thanked for the incredible things they do!

-Jackie