Cold Weather Shelter

Chapelgate is helping Grassroots Shelter with hosting the folks that the shelter doesn't have room for at their Freetown location. If you have enjoyed being a part of this and would like to continue to serve these homeless folks, you could join our cooking team. We cook meals for the 50 residents the shelter helps year round. Each person on the team cooks part of the meal. We are thankful for our team captains, but are losing one due to health problems. So if organization is your thing and not cooking, let me know! Helping those who are less fortunate than us, helps us to appreciate God's blessings in our lives.

On Saturday, December 13th, as part of a large Dedication Program, Reggie Green accepted the ceremonial keys to his new home at 1442 Mount Street in Baltimore. The significance of the day was not solely for Reggie and his family. Immediately next to Reggie, two other homes were dedicated at the same time. Three homes, three great families, one enormous impact on a city block that had long been neglected!

These homes marked the 250th, 251st, and 252nd homes completed in the Sandtown Community by Habitat for Humanity. The amount of work that went into finishing these homes was incredible. The Habitat Staff should be commended (and very tired!) for the countless hours they personally put into these homes.

Reggie's house was the 4th home where Chapelgate and Central Presbyterian "partnered" out teams and efforts to tackle some of the worst properties in Sandtown. It was agreed at Dedication that we would continue this relationship for at least another home (after we all take a much needed break!).

In total, this is Chapelgate's 13th home we have sponsored and built, while it was Central's 14th home. Our work is getting better, and faster.

There are too many people to recognize and thank, but the efforts and dedication of Larry Sames and Joe Bianco certainly kept this home on track.

Baltimore Rescue Mission Christmas Wish List

Chapelgate is involved on an ongoing basis with Baltimore Rescue Mission, an organization that provides for the basic and spiritual needs of the homeless in Baltimore.
At Christmastime they give out gift bags, and Chapelgate has been invited to contribute items for these bags such as kitchen supplies, gift cards, toiletries, medicine and clothing. For a complete wish list please visit the Information Desk in the lobby. Items may be dropped off in designated bins also in the lobby.

Meet Doug Carl, Grassroots Kitchen Manager

Doug Carl has been involved with Grassroots since the late 70's as a volunteer. Later, he served on its board. With a master's degree in management, he spent a couple of decades in health care management. In his retirement, he wanted to continue to serve at Grassroots. When the renovation of the current facility was complete in April 2008, Doug became the kitchen manager. One of his many jobs is to heat up the meals that have been brought in by the community and make sure there is enough food for the 50 residents that live at the shelter. What a much needed service. Who doesn't like to have a meal provided and served to them!

If you would like to help by making part of a meal, contact me at cpcgrassroots@gmail.com.

Sandtown update for September 2008

The progress on 1442 Mount Street has been incredible over the past month. 95% of the framing is done, the front wall is rebuilt(see picture), windows should be installed very soon, plumbing and heating rough-in should start within the next week or so!

The targeted Dedication date is December 13th. It will take a great deal of effort to make sure the Greene family will be in their new home by Christmas, but it is possible!

For those of you who like to paint, your talents will be needed very soon. Look for updates here and in the connection at church.

Next Grassroots Meal

Got some time to make part of a meal for the homeless shelter? One of our teams is making a meal for Grassroots on Sunday Sept. 28. You'll just need to bring your contribution to Chapelgate that Sunday morning. Send me an email at mspaulis@verizon.net and I'll connect you to that team captain. She'll let you know what the team needs. If this day doesn't work for you, email me and I'll let you know the next date. This is such an easy way to make a difference in the lives of people less fortunate than us! 

Mary Sue Paulis

Grassroots Coordinator for Chapelgate

Grassroots New Facility

Hi to all! I had a very busy summer, as I imagine you had,  and now I am ready to get back to organizing and keeping you updated on our  ministry at Grassroots. I recently toured the facility and was warmly welcomed and given a tour by Anna Katz, the Cold Weather Shelter director. The staff is enjoying the additional space and having freshly painted and decorated rooms. I'm sure the men, women, and families are also enjoying the newer facilities. The families have their own breakfast area and living room where they can hang out and watch TV. There are plans for an outdoor play yard for the children. The single men have the same set up on another wing near their bedrooms. I enjoyed my visit and appreciated the thoughtfulness that went into the planning for the renovations. They even have a men's bathroom for the dads in the family area. 

This is the medical exam room. Doctors and nurses volunteer their time here and one of the doctors managed to find this excess equipment for the center.


 

Future blogs--- meet the kitchen manager and hear from our cooks