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Soul Food
is a weekly
sharing of thoughts, prayers and experiences that nourish Bethesda members in
our work of being family to those who have none. It is emailed each Monday
to all staff and volunteers, and to those others who wish to request it.
If you would
like to receive
Soul Food
every week via
email, simply send your email address to
soulfood@bethesdaproject.org.
The
following are recent
Soul Food emails distributed by Director of Community Life Tony Medwid:
July 26, 2010
I used to go from shelter to shelter, but
never felt alone. I think the people at My Brother's House and St. John's
Hospice made the difference for me. When I was with them, I had the sense that
God hadn't given up on me – that He still cared about me and was still sticking
with me. --
Current Bethesda Resident
July 19, 2010
I miss you all so much!!! (Even though) my
internship is up, I would like to volunteer on weekends -- I really want to come
in and see everyone. For my first essay requirement for college I have chosen to
write about Poverty in Philadelphia. I chose this topic because I had such a
good experience with Bethesda and I feel such passion for helping people in
need. Thank you so much - I could not have asked for a better internship!! --
From a Summer Intern's letter
July 12, 2010
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Shaun Donovan, the U.S. Housing and Urban
Development secretary, called homelessness "a preventable
tragedy." That is especially true in such a wealthy nation. |
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The latest homeless statistics in a
government report show the need for more funding: 1.6
million people spent time in shelters last year. There are
about 3,000 homeless people in Philadelphia. |
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Those numbers will likely only rise as more
veterans return from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The
numbers are already going up as a result of the recession,
high unemployment, and mounting foreclosures. Families have
been especially hard-hit, with the number of homeless
jumping by 30 percent from 2007 to 2009. |
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--
From 7/05/10 Inquirer Editorial: Ending Homelessness |
Independence Day 2010
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Set free the oppressed, break every yoke; |
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Share your bread with the hungry, shelter the
oppressed and the homeless; |
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Cloth the naked, and do not turn your back on
your own. |
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-- Isaiah 58 |
June 28, 2010
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"Foxes have holes and birds have nests, |
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but the Son of Man has no place to lay his
head." |
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-- Luke 9:58 |
June 21, 2010
Number of homeless down,
but homeless families up |
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Roughly 170,000 families spent at least
one night in a shelter in 2009, up from 159,000 families
in 2008 and 131,000 in 2007, according to the Housing
and Urban Development Department's annual report to
Congress released Wednesday. That increase, the report
said, "is almost certainly related to the recession." |
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Overall, 1.56 million people spent at
least one night in emergency shelters or transitional
housing, the report said. One-third of those individuals
were part of a homeless family. |
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Chronic homelessness dropped 30 percent
since 2006, which the report said may be due to an
increase in resources. |
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--
The Associated Press |
June 14, 2010
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A pessimist sees a glass of water as being
half-empty; |
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An optimist sees the same glass as half-full. |
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But a compassionate person sees a glass of
water |
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And starts looking for someone who might be
thirsty. |
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-- G. Donald Gale |
June 7, 2010
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For three years, running the homeless to success |
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In 2007, a North Dakota transplant named
Anne Mahlum came up with an unusual way of helping the
city's homeless population: She would start a running
club for them, encouraging self-sufficiency while
promoting good health. Since then, Back on My Feet and
its unlikely premise have exploded. The
Philadelphia-based nonprofit has already expanded to
Baltimore, Boston and Washington, D.C. A Chicago chapter
is expected to open before year's end. |
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The organization marks its third
anniversary this month and will soon announce its 2011
expansion plans, which include reaching into five more
cities. That growth rate far exceeds anything Mahlum
imagined when she first asked a few homeless men to join
her on her daily run. |
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What's been built is more than a running
club, although attending the thrice-weekly 5:35 a.m.
runs is important. Participants in Back on My Feet are
rewarded for their commitment to the exercise and
encouraged to transfer it to other areas of their lives.
That could mean earning a GED or finding a job or moving
out of the shelter and into a personal home. |
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"These people encourage you. They don't
view you differently because of your past," said Antonio
LaBoy, 49, as he looked around at the 40 people gathered
before dawn to run together. "I look and I see unity of
the group. I see friendship. These people are my
friends." |
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--
NATALIE POMPILIO, Philadelphia Daily News |
Memorial Day Weekend, 2010
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This weekend remember our homeless veterans: |
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23% of homeless population are veterans
33% of male homeless population are veterans
47% Vietnam Era
17% post-Vietnam
15% pre-Vietnam
67% served three or more years
33% stationed in a war zone
25% have used VA Homeless Services
85% completed high school/GED, compared to 56% of
non-veterans
89% received Honorable Discharge
79% reside in cities
16% reside in suburban areas
5% reside in rural areas
76% experience alcohol, drug, or mental health problems
46% white males compared to 34% non-veterans
46% age 45 or older compared to 20% non-veterans |
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National Coalition for the Homeless |
May 24, 2010
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Please be Our Guest! THIS EVENT IS
INFORMAL AND ATTIRE IS CASUAL, BUT
YOU ARE ENCOURAGED TO WEAR A BOWTIE
IN HONOR OF
ANGELO’S CLASSIC SIGNATURE FASHION! |
Broad Street Ministries is located across the street
from the Kimmel Center
two blocks south of the Walnut-Locust subway |
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Bethesda Project bids a fond farewell
to Angelo Sgro, Executive Director, as he retires
after ten years of loyal service to Bethesda
Project, and decades more of serving Philadelphians
struggling with homelessness and mental illness. We
hope you will come to thank Angelo and enjoy
ballpark food and laughter with the Bethesda Project
family at this special event. |
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May 17, 2010
We had so little to bring -- but look what
God did with it. --
Phyllis Martin, Bethesda Project Co-founder
May 10, 2010
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Jon Bon Jovi tours Dallas homeless shelters as part of
charitable mission |
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By JANA J. MARTIN / The Dallas Morning
News |
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After two sold-out weekend shows in
Dallas at the
American Airlines Center,
Jon Bon Jovi played to a much smaller crowd on
Monday. And it wasn't in typical rock star fashion. |
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Instead, he continued his education on
how communities can combat homelessness, taking tours of
CityWalk@Akard and the Casa Youth Emergency Shelter. |
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"It's one soul at a time," Bon Jovi said. |
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Since Bon Jovi started the nonprofit Jon
Bon Jovi Soul Foundation (formerly the
Philadelphia Soul Charitable Foundation) in 2006, he
has built 250 affordable housing units in Philadelphia
to the tune of $6 million. |
May 3, 2010
I was really glad when I heard that Father
Domenic will be our new director, because he understands us. I look forward to
being friends with him again. --
Longtime Bethesda Resident
April 26, 2010
Our goal is to build a community where the
human spirit may flourish: a place that provides quality housing and supportive
services, where we can share with one another our unique personal resources,
acknowledge our God-given dignity and goodness, and experience the opportunity
for personal transformation. --
from the Bethesda Project Vision Statement
April 19, 2010
April 12, 2010
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All the great religions insist |
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that the test of true spirituality |
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is practical compassion. |
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--
Karen Armstrong |
April 5, 2010
After Jesus had washed his disciples' feet
and had put his outer garment back on, he sat down again. Then he said: Do you
understand what I have done? You call me your teacher and Lord, and you should,
because that is who I am. And if your Lord and teacher has washed your feet, you
should do the same for each other. I have set the example, and you should do for
each other exactly what I have done for you. --
John 13: 12-15, From the Holy Week Liturgy
March 29, 2010
Once on the Great Sabbath the rabbi of
Roptchiz came home from the house of prayer with weary steps. "Why are you so
tired?" asked his wife. "I had to speak of the poor and their many needs for the
coming Passover." "And what did you accomplish with your sermon?" his wife
asked. "Only half of what is needed," he answered. "I think the poor are now
ready to receive. But I don't know whether the rich are ready to give." --
Tales of the Hasidim
March 23, 2010
March 22, 2010
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Recent data from the National
Conference on Citizenship reveals that 72% of
respondents have cut back on civic involvement because
of the current recession but 40% of respondents who
are frequent participants in religious services have
increased their level of civic engagement. |
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Over the last four years Bethesda Project
volunteer visits are up by 98% and volunteer hours have
increased by 68%, thanks in large measure to the
volunteer coordination efforts of our Community Life
Assistants during those years: Nora Spriggs, Rebekah
Rosenfeld, Nicki Olivier and Junior Fisco. |
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Our thanks to them and to
YOU! |
March 15, 2010
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Brotherly Love: One School's Homeless Project |
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Students at the Mathematics, Civics and
Sciences Charter School in Center City Philadelphia are
helping the homeless one sandwich at a time. |
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Every Thursday for four years,
17-year-old Antoine Adams has manned the meat and bread
line, feeding those living on the street. In that time,
he's learned something about himself. "It really makes
me grateful for what I have," Antoine said, "and to be a
part of this, I'm really honored." |
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Every student brings in a dollar to pay
for the weekly $800 to $1000 cost for the homeless
project. Sixteen-year-old Sharee Morgan said those that
directly work on it learn something about homelessness
and something special about themselves. |
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In four years, the group has made 54,000
sandwiches and raised thousands of dollars to fund the
project. But as one student put it, the rewards they get
are priceless. |
March 8, 2010
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He that does good for good's sake |
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seeks neither paradise nor reward |
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but is sure of both in the end. |
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--
William Penn |
March 1, 2010
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Fraternity brothers pitch in to ease the hurt of
homelessness |
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Joshua Deephouse slips into his sleeping
bag and lays his head down on the thin plastic covering
the ground. The temperature tonight is hovering just
above 30 degrees; he feels every rush of air through his
tent and hears every sound as he prepares to sleep
outside. |
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The Temple University senior and
president of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity chapter
organized a camp-out to raise awareness over the plight
of homelessness. |
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"It's a different experience if you're
not accustomed to camping," said ATO fraternity vice
president Matthew Jacob. "We do this once a year;
homeless people, they don't have a choice — and that's
the whole point of this camp-out." |
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-- For story and video:
http://www.temple.edu/newsroom/2009_2010/02/stories/Campout.htm |
February 22, 2010
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Suburban homelessness rising |
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Homelessness in rural and suburban
America is straining shelters this winter as the economy
founders and joblessness hovers near double digits — a
"perfect storm of foreclosures, unemployment and a
shortage of affordable housing," in one official's eyes. |
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"We are seeing many families that never
before sought government help," said Greg Blass,
commissioner of Social Services in Suffolk County on
eastern Long Island. "We see a spiral in food stamps,
heating assistance applications; Medicaid is
skyrocketing," Blass added. "It is truly reaching a
stage of being alarming." |
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--
The Associated Press, February 17, 2010 |
February 15, 2010
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I'll tell you what it really means |
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to worship the LORD: |
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Remove the chains of prisoners who are chained
unjustly. |
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Free those who are abused! |
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Share your food with those who are hungry; |
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share your home with the poor and homeless. |
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Give clothes to those in need; don't turn away
your relatives. |
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Then your light will shine like
the dawning sun, |
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and you will quickly be healed. |
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February 8, 2010
We are a family of friends which most of our
members never had. We understand that real care for the poor and the little
people of the world means being in love for the long haul. --
Gary Smith
February 1, 2010
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There are three rules for dealing with those who
come to us: |
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1. Kindness; |
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2. Kindness; |
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3. Kindness. |
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-- Bishop Fulton J. Sheen |
January 25, 2010
The first couple of times we came, it was
kind of tough; then everything changed. I remembered the names of some of the
guests and one of them said, "Welcome back!" They knew me and I knew them. It
was just a human kind of thing. --
College Volunteer at OBP
January 18, 2010
January 11, 2010
We are a family of friends which most of our
members never had. We understand that real care for the poor and the little
people of the world means being in love for the long haul. --
Gary Smith
January 4, 2010
I don't like to think about when I was
homeless. It was hard -- I was really down on myself. Then something happened --
I remember coming into the shelter at Christmas time and receiving some really
nice Christmas gifts -- the real thing. I was so touched that people were
willing to take a chance on a 'bum' like me. --
Formerly Homeless Staff Person
December 28, 2009
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The Work of Christmas |
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When the song of the angels is stilled, |
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When the star in the sky is gone, |
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When the kings and princes are home, |
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When the
shepherds are back with their flock, |
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The work of Christmas begins: |
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To find the lost, |
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To heal the broken, |
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To feed the hungry |
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To release the prisoners, |
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To rebuild the nations, |
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To bring peace among people, |
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To make music in the heart. |
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December 21, 2009
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Join us and Mayor Nutter to commemorate |
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Homeless Memorial Day
Today: Monday, December 21
City Hall Courtyard
4:30-5:30 PM
We will REMEMBER
homeless and formerly homeless Philadelphians
who died during 2009 |
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and CALL for a renewed commitment to end homelessness. |
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Participating organizations: Arch Street United
Methodist Church – Bethesda Project – Broad Street
Ministry – Catholic Health East – Covenant House – Depaul USA – Dignity Housing – Episcopal Community
Services – Homeless Advocacy Project – Horizon House –
House of Grace Catholic Worker – Impact Services
Corporation – JEVS – Lutheran Settlement House – Mental
Health Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania –
Pathways to Housing –Philadelphia Veterans Multi-Service
& Education Center – PRO-ACT – Project H.O.M.E. – Public
Health Management Corporation – Ready Willing & Able –
Resources for Human Development/Ridge Center –RHD/People's
Choice & Silver Springs Centers – SELF Inc. – St.
Francis Inn – St. John’s Hospice – Sunday Breakfast
Rescue Mission – Tenant Union Representative Network –
Traveler’s Aid Philadelphia – Youth Emergency Service |
December 14, 2009
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Hunger, family homelessness on rise in U.S. cities |
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The U.S. Conference of Mayors said cities
reported a 26 percent jump in demand for hunger
assistance over the past year, the largest average
increase since 1991. |
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Middle-class families as well as the
uninsured, elderly, working poor and homeless
increasingly looked for help with hunger, which was
mainly fueled by unemployment, high housing costs and
low wages. |
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Looking ahead to 2010, cities said they
expect it will be difficult to meet increased demands
for food due to the impact of state and local budget
cuts, a decrease in grocery store donations and higher
food costs. |
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Just over three-fourths of the cities
reported a jump in homeless families due to the
recession and lack of affordable housing. Individual
homelessness, on the other hand, was level or down in 16
of the cities. |
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--
REUTERS, December 8, 2009 |
December 7, 2009
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Through the Cracks |
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Stimulus money for the homeless doesn't
help those in the most dire need. |
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(The...) chronically homeless, (Angelo)
Sgro says, need intensive and long-term case management
— the very thing that was de-funded by the Bush
administration, and which nobody wants to fund now.
"That's what's missing from the federal stimulus, any
kind of long-term case management," Sgro says, "I'm
disappointed. I thought we'd be able to use this money
to help the chronically homeless." |
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--
Isaiah Thompson, City Paper, 12/01/09 |
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See article:
http://citypaper.net/articles/2009/12/03/federal-stimulus-bill-philadelphia-homeless-shelters |
November 30, 2009
I remember what it's like.
When I see people on the streets, I remember
how I got from there to where I am now. I go up to them and say,
"Hi, do you know about Bethesda?"
That's how it started for me. --
Bethesda Resident/Community Life Council Member
November 23, 2009
You got yourself a choice, being a giver or
being a taker. When you make that choice, you decide the kind of
person you're gonna be. --
Shelter Volunteer at the Philadelphia Marathon
November 16, 2009
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Students to sleep outdoors, host food drive |
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Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week,
sponsored by Campus Ministry, will help educate the
Villanova community about the issues of poverty around
the globe. |
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In addition to the events on Sunday, Nov
15, others include canned goods collections,
reflections, a food drive, a clothing drive and several
speakers. |
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During last year's Hunger and
Homelessness Awareness Week, over 130 runners signed up
for the Hunger Run, raising over $1,300. At the
sleep-out last year, 35 of the 50 attendees slept
outside the entire night. |
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--
The Villanovan |
November 9, 2009
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Be not forgetful to offer hospitality to
strangers, |
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for thereby some have entertained angels
unawares. |
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--
Hebrews 13: 1-2 |
November 2, 2009
I felt useless and helpless and remember
crying out: "God, help me, I can't take this anymore! Take my hand
and show me the path." Just then I received some phone numbers from
my social worker, and chose one at random. It turned out to be
Bethesda at 722 North Broad Street. The next day I spoke with Kevin;
on Friday I talked with Mary Ellen, and on the next Monday I moved
in to my new room. That was some kind of record! I was so elated
that I played '722' that week and won enough for my deposit as well!
Now, you know Someone is looking out for me.
I am filled with gratitude today. I believe
in God, and I believe in myself. --
Former Bethesda Resident
October 26, 2009
We were blessed with the first hand
experience of being able to help and talk with the poor. ...(W)e
came to realize that except for their lack of material foods, we
were much alike. --
St. Michael's Prep (Silverado, CA) after Bethesda In-Service
October 19, 2009
Is it not one of our problems today that we
have separated ourselves from the poor and the wounded and the
suffering? We have too much time to discuss and theorize and have
lost the yearning for God which comes when we are faced with the
sufferings of people. --
Jean Vanier
October 12, 2009
I was raised in an orphanage and didn't have
a family when I was a child. So I never knew what people were
talking about when they talked about their families. Even as an
adult, when I'd walk down the street, I always wanted to peek into
people's houses to see what families were like. I'm old now, but
thanks to Bethesda I think I know. --
Bethesda Resident
October 5, 2009
Homelessness is not just being without a
roof, it is the collapse of a world, of security, personal
relationships and of dignity. It is the loss of the ability to lead
a 'truly human' life. --
First International Meeting for the Pastoral Care of the Homeless
September 28, 2009
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Kol Tzedek Synagogue (West Philadelphia) |
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Sponsors Food Donation on Yom Kippur |
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"Bethesda" derives its name from "Beit"
and "Chesed," meaning "house of loving-kindness" in Hebrew.
The founders of Bethesda Project -- a prayer group from
Daylesford, PA -- drew inspiration from Isaiah 58 when they
saw homelessness on the rise in the late 1970s: |
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Is such the fast that I have chosen?
the day for a man to afflict his soul?... |
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Wilt thou call this a fast, and an
acceptable day to the LORD?... |
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Is it not to deal thy bread to the
hungry, and that thou |
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bring the poor that are cast out to
thy house? |
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Help us answer Isaiah's challenge through
small contributions -- like donating food. |
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-- that can add up to a huge difference
in someone's life |
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Please bring any of the following to
Calvary when you come to Yom Kippur services! |
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- ground coffee |
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- dry spaghetti |
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- canned beans and other canned goods |
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- macaroni & cheese |
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- other staples in box or canned forms |
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http://www.kol-tzedek.org |
September 21, 2009
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Did film (Soloist) get a mental illness right?
By Dan Gottlieb |
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Dear Dan, |
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I watched the movie The Soloist
about Steve Lopez's relationship with Nathaniel Ayers ,
the inspirational homeless musician in L.A. I'm
wondering if you can share your insights on the
authenticity of the movie, especially regarding the
relationship between Ayers and Lopez and the mental
illness symptoms of the homeless people depicted in the
film. I'm a theology teacher in a Catholic high school
and in my senior classes, we study homelessness: the
realities, causes and consequences. I'm thinking that
this movie may be useful. I look forward to any insights
you can offer me. - Suzy Eyler |
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"...our responsibility as a community is
to do what we can to see (the) diamond." – Dan Gottlieb |
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For Dr. Dan Gottieb’s complete response,
click here |
September 14, 2009
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My brothers and sisters, |
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what good is it if people claim they have
faith |
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but don't act like it? |
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Can that kind of faith save them? |
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Suppose a brother or sister has no
clothes or food. |
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Suppose one of you says to them, |
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"I hope everything turns out fine for
you. |
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Keep warm. |
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Eat well." |
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And you do nothing about what they really
need. |
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Then what good have you done? |
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It is the same with faith. |
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If it doesn't cause us to do something, |
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it's dead. |
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--
James 2, 14-18 |
September 7, 2009
Fred was cooking up breakfast for the men at
Sanctuary, talking all the while about his plans for the future.
Then, after a short silence and in a voice gruff with purpose, he
promised: "You wait, someday I'm going to be a tax paying citizen
again". --
Bethesda Staff Person
August 31, 2009
Special thanks to (the staff) for getting us
organized and overseeing our work. It was great to see how they
interacted with the people coming through - knowing their names,
dealing with them with such great respect and dignity and treating
them like individuals and not homeless people - their compassion and
kindness was extraordinary. It was a great experience. --
Bethesda Café Volunteer
August 24, 2009
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Caring is the privilege of every person
and is at the heart of being human. |
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--
Henri Nouwen |
August 17, 2009
"God has a special place for the poor. The
poor are where God lives. God, my friends, is with the poor and God
is with us if we are with them. This is not a burden this is an
adventure." --
Bono at the NAACP award, March 2007
August 10, 2009
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Phila. center to aid homeless veterans |
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On any given night across the country, an
estimated 131,000 veterans are homeless - living in shelters, on
streets, or doubling up with friends.
President Obama has declared "zero tolerance"
for homelessness among those who have served in the military, and a
newly created center in Philadelphia will help his administration
decide how best to tackle the problem.
In October, the Department of Veterans
Affairs will open the National Center on Homelessness Among Veterans
in University City, near the VA Medical Center of Philadelphia. Its
purpose will be to steer national policy, conduct research, and
educate the operators of VA programs on the most effective methods
for reducing homelessness.
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-- By Jennifer Lin, Philadelphia
Inquirer, 8/09/09 |
August 3, 2009
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The quality of mercy is not strain'd,
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath. It is twice blest:
It blesseth him that gives and him that takes. |
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--
The Merchant Of Venice |
July 27, 2009
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A man brought Elisha twenty loaves of
bread. Elisha said, "Give it to the people so they can
eat." "There's not enough here for a hundred people,"
his servant said. "Just give it to them," Elisha
replied. "The LORD has promised there will be more than
enough." The servant served the bread to the people.
They ate and still had some left over, just as the LORD
had promised. -- 2 Kings: 4:42-44 |
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Bethesda thanks all of our friends who
supported the 2009 Picnic with their gifts of donuts,
hot dogs, hamburgers, sausages, sandwich rolls,
coleslaw, potato salad, pasta salad, beverages, chips,
cookies, fresh fruit, water balloons, gift cards, tents,
and other practical expressions of your love.
185 of our
Bethesda family members feasted on your kindness and
generosity. |
July 20, 2009
Growing up I always knew that families
celebrated birthdays with parties, but it wasn't until I came to
Bethesda that I experienced it for myself. It still surprises me
that people I don't know would want to celebrate my birthday. --
Bethesda Resident
July 13, 2009
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Just a few nights ago, homeless men slept in
the doorways of an empty two-story building along an alley between
the Loews Hotel and St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church in
Center City.
But yesterday, a crane arrived to begin
tearing down the old school to make way for permanent housing for
homeless men and women.
Eighteen months from now, 79 people battling
mental illness or addictions will move into a $25 million,
eight-story apartment building.
The facility will have 24 rooms for formerly
homeless men and women working with the Bethesda Project to recover
from addictions, and 55 efficiency apartments for homeless people
with mental illness working with Project H.O.M.E.
"This building is important," said Angelo
Sgro, Director of Bethesda Project, "because we are creating
desperately needed permanent, supported housing for people with
special needs in an area of the city with an abundance of social
services, transportation, and social opportunities."
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-- By Jennifer Lin, Inquirer Staff
Writer, July 9, 2009 |
July 6, 2009
I read about a woman who recalled that her
aunt's home was not only beautiful, but welcoming. She said, "It's
as though you've received a hug the moment you step in."
Years ago, when I heard that we were going to
have 'security personnel' at the new shelter (Our Brothers' Place),
I was concerned that it wasn’t going to feel very much like 'family'
for our guests. Then I found out we were hiring staff who knew how
to give a warm and friendly reception to our guests -- and also pat
them down at the same time: a reception that is at once
affectionate, safe and secure. It's all in the attitude. --
Bethesda Staff Person
June 29, 2009
The volunteers (we send to Bethesda) often
think that they are taking God to the city. And that if they don’t,
nobody will. And then they find out that some of the homeless people
have a very rich faith, and that because of their circumstances,
they have nobody but God to rely on. The volunteers realize that
maybe it’s their own faith that is shallow. -- Volunteer
Coordinator
June 22, 2009
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First lady to lead Cabinet officers in volunteer efforts |
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WASHINGTON — Led by Michelle Obama, top
members of the Obama administration will fan out across the country
next week to participate in community service projects as part of a
high-profile effort to spark volunteer work through the summer.
"It's a way of saying you may not think you can do much, but here is
something you can do," said U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk,
who'll serve breakfast to the homeless at the Second Chance Cafe at
The Bridge in Dallas, where he formerly served as mayor.
He's worked at the cafe before and wanted to
underscore the need for year-round help. "During Thanksgiving and
Christmas, people are acutely aware of the need to help feed the
hungry, but homelessness and hunger is a year-round phenomenon.
During the summer is when they go begging for help," Kirk said.
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By Steven Thomma, McClatchy Newspapers |
June 15, 2009
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First Ever Report Card On Homeless Children Released |
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by KYW's Kim Glovas |
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The first ever national report on homeless
children has been released. The National Center on Family
Homelessness unveiled the report at a forum in Philadelphia. The
report, titled "America's Youngest Outcasts," is the first ever
attempt at providing hard information on the number of homeless
children in each state, their health and where they stand
educationally.
Pennsylvania stands 14th in the national ranking of taking care of
its homeless, and has more than 43,000 homeless children.
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KYW Newsradio Tuesday, 09 June 2009 |
June 8, 2009
You who are rich, the poor have been
appointed your companions in this life. You see them burdened by not
having things, while you are burdened by having things. In not
having things, the poor have nothing to support them; you, in having
much, are weighed down.
By helping them with their need, you can
diminish your own load. -- St. Augustine
June 1, 2009
"I was a little afraid before I went into the
church shelter, but, you know, the men were, you know, like human
beings. I mean, not 'like', but really were just normal people.
Serving the meal and eating with the men was, like, really fun. I
think I learned a lot!" -- High School Volunteer
Memorial Day, 2009
"About one-third of the adult homeless
population have served their country in the Armed Services. Current
population estimates suggest that about 154,000 veterans (male and
female) are homeless on any given night and perhaps twice as many
experience homelessness at some point during the course of a year….
Right now, the number of homeless male and female Vietnam era
veterans is greater than the number of service persons who died
during that war..." -- United States Department of Veterans
Affairs
May 18, 2009
I feel truly blessed to have found an outlet,
a place I can give to – the right place at the right time. I can
step out of my comfort zone. I found this group opportunity to serve
and I am so grateful to have received so much in return.
I am truly blessed. I have been given a gift. --
Bethesda Volunteer
May 11, 2009
I think there’s enough stuff in the world to
go around, but folks have to be thinking that way to make it happen. --
Bethesda Shelter Guest
May 4, 2009
The most authentic thing about us is our
capacity to create,
to overcome, to endure, to transform, to love,
and to be greater than our suffering |
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-- Ben Okri |
April 27, 2009
April 20, 2009
All the believers
were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was
their own, but they shared everything they had.
And God's grace
was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among
them. --
Acts 4
April 13, 2009

April 6, 2009
After Jesus had
washed his disciples' feet and had put his outer garment back on, he sat down
again. Then he said: Do you understand what I have done? You call me your
teacher and Lord, and you should, because that is who I am. And if your Lord and
teacher has washed your feet, you should do the same for each other. I have set
the example, and you should do for each other exactly what I have done for you. --
John 13: 12-15, From the Holy Thursday Liturgy
March 30, 2009
At every Seder,
Jews open the door to beckon the spirit of Eliyahu, the prophet Elijah. Elijah
was a farmer in the 9th century, who was a fighter for freedom and independence
for common people. Before he died, he promised he would return once each
generation in the guise of a homeless person. He said he would know, by the way
he was treated, whether people had reached a level of humanity that would make
them ready for the messiah. --
Bethesda Staff Person
March 23, 2009
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These people loved me back into shape. |
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My mind’s cleared up. I’ve got my self
esteem. |
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I wake up happy. |
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--
Bethesda Resident |
March 16, 2009
When I was at the
Bethesda Café (8th and Arch Sts) on Sunday night there was a new guest, 21 years
old and crying. She had nothing but the clothes she was wearing. She came over
to me, we prayed and she continued crying. But what she said to me was exactly
what and why we do what we do.... She aid she feels SAFE at the Café. --
Bethesda Café Volunteer
March 9, 2009
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Please join
us for our annual Volunteers Appreciation Night! |
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If you have
prepared, delivered or served |
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Bethesda
casseroles, meals, or snacks; |
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If you have
led Bingo, songs, work groups, discussions |
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or special
presentations at our houses; |
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If you have
talked with us, listened to us, surveyed us, |
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taken us
shopping, cleaned our corridors, or worked in our gardens; |
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If you have
been friends and family to us, |
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we want to
thank you on: |
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Wednesday, April 1, 2009 |
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Old First Reformed Church |
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4th and Race Streets |
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Philadelphia, PA 19106 |
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Click here
for the invitation,
map with directions, |
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and
on-street parking permit |
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March 2, 2009
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I'll tell you what it really means to worship
the LORD: |
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Remove the chains of prisoners who are held
unjustly; |
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free those who are abused! |
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Share your food with those who are hungry;
and share |
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your home with the poor and homeless. |
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Give clothes to those in need. |
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Then your light will shine in the dark, |
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and your darkest hour will be like the
noonday sun. |
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-- Isaiah 58 |
February 23, 2009
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Mission Statement |
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Seeking God’s guidance and believing that we
are responsible to each other as members of one family, the
mission of Bethesda Project is to find and care for the
abandoned poor and be family with those who have none. |
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Vision Statement |
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Bethesda Project is a faith-based community
dedicated to serving the abandoned poor. We have chosen to
focus our energies on those who are homeless. |
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Bethesda Project’s fundamental commitment is
to create a community where men and women on the margins of
a complex society find sanctuary and have their basic needs
met in the company of a loving, compassionate and caring
family. We are also committed to offering programs
facilitating social and economic reintegration into society. |
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Our goal is to build a community where the
human spirit may flourish: a place that provides quality
housing and supportive services where we can share with one
another our unique personal resources, acknowledge our
God-given dignity and goodness, and experience the
opportunity for personal transformation. |
February 16, 2009
Bethesda
Family Members:
We have appealed to you for help for many things over the years.
To the best of my knowledge, we have never asked you to contact
government representatives on our behalf. These are not ordinary
times, however.
We are faced with an extraordinary challenge to our ability to
provide a safe and secure environment to our guests at Our
Brothers’ Place (OBP), the shelter we run under a city contract
at 907 Hamilton Street.
We have already lost our entire social service staff for fiscal
2010. Further cuts of as much as 30% are contemplated by the
mayor. I am convinced that even a 10% cut to the budget at OBP
will reduce our program to a warehouse for human beings that is
unacceptable to us.
Please visit
bethesdaproject.org to learn how to contact city officials
and lend your voice to our homeless brothers and sisters.
Thank you,
Angelo Sgro
Executive Director
Bethesda Project |
February 9, 2009
Being Family with Those Who
Have None
| When: |
Thursday, February 12, 2009 at
12:00PM |
| Where: |
Bethesda Cafe, 740 Arch Street,
215-685-4610 |
| Cost: |
FREE |
Bring your lunch to the Bethesda Project
Café and talk with our long-time volunteers about how they make personal
connections with homeless men and women. Tony Medwid will lead a
discussion about the long-term personal and societal impact of these
relationships.
"Don't walk in front of me, I may not
follow.
Don't walk behind me, I may not lead.
Walk beside me and be my friend."
- Albert Camus
February 2, 2009
You who
are looking forward to meeting God in heaven:
attend
to him now lying under the arches;
attend
to him hungry,
attend
to him shivering with cold,
attend
to him needy,
attend
to him a foreigner.
--
St. Augustine
January 26, 2009
"Here is a test to
find out if your mission on earth is finished: if you’re alive, it isn’t." --
Richard Bach
January 19, 2009
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-- Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. |
January 12, 2009
BETHESDA PROJECT IS
A PROUD COMMUNITY PARTNER OF
THE FREE LIBRARY'S ONE BOOK, ONE
PHILADELPHIA PROGRAM. |
JOIN US FOR TWO FREE
EVENTS WITH BETHESDA STAFF
AND VOLUNTEERS! |
| THIS YEAR'S BOOK
SELECTION, THE SOLOIST, TELLS THE TRUE STORY
OF THE FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN JOURNALIST STEVE LOPEZ AND STREET
MUSICIAN NATHANIEL AYERS. WE WILL EXPLORE ISSUES ABOUT
HOMELESSNESS THAT THE BOOK RAISES. CHECK OUT THE LIBRARY'S
WEBSITE OR ANY BRANCH FOR A FULL CALENDAR OF EVENTS OR TO
CHECK OUT A COPY OF THE BOOK. |
| HOW DID THIS HAPPEN? A
FRANK TALK ABOUT HOMELESSNESS |
| WHEN: MONDAY,
JANUARY 26, 7:00PM |
| WHERE: PHILADELPHIA
CITY INSTITUTE, LOCUST & 19TH STREET |
| Angelo Sgro, Executive
Director of Bethesda Project and long-time Philadelphia
mental health professional and activist, will discuss the
perfect storm of social injustice, mental illness, drugs,
and economics that contributes to the ongoing homelessness
crisis. |
| BEING FAMILY WITH THOSE
WHO HAVE NONE |
| WHEN: THURSDAY,
FEBRUARY 12, 12:00PM |
| WHERE: BETHESDA
CAFE, 740 ARCH STREET, 215-685-4610 |
| Bring your lunch to the
Bethesda Project Café and talk with long-time volunteers of
one of the city's largest and oldest homeless services
organizations about how they make positive connections with
homeless men and women. Bethesda Project Community Life
Director Tony Medwid will lead a discussion about the
long-term personal and societal impact of these
relationships. Beverages will be provided. |
January 5, 2009
|
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Play Misty for me:
Danny (left) is just one of the people grateful to Sparks
(right) for treating him with dignity.
(photo by Tara Murtha) |
December 29, 2008
Profile of Hunger in Philadelphia:
During the last year, requests for food assistance have increased 23 percent
in Philadelphia. Those requesting assistance for the first time include families
with children, employed persons, and senior citizens who are raising
grandchildren.
An eight percent decrease in budgets for emergency food purchases during
the same period
has forced providers to reduce the amount and variety of food purchased,
resulting in a 26 percent decrease in the amount of food distributed in
Philadelphia.
Profile of Homelessness in Philadelphia:
Overall, the number of people experiencing homelessness increased 3 percent
in Philadelphia over the past year.
TOTAL POPULATION: 1,449, 634
PERCENT BELOW POVERTY LINE: 23.80%
From
U.S. Conference of Mayors 2008 Status Report on Hunger & Homelessness
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