December 2009

Corvallis Daytime Drop-in Center

Thanks to the First Christian Church, CDDC has an extension for the use of McLean Hall as the site of the Drop-in till April 15th 2010 with hours still from 9am to 2pm, Monday through Friday. As always, we’re grateful for their patience and support!

The Drop-in Center continues to be a valuable place where individuals can socialize, rest, enjoy a snack and find a listening ear. It often serves as the place to start ones quest for information and referral to other community agencies.

Shelter Update

Women’s Cold Weather Shelter Update

Yes, you’ve read that correctly – this year a Women’s Cold Weather Shelter opened at Knollbrook Church on November 15. Wilma Van Schelven and Katy Weber through Love In the Name of Christ (Love INC) are coordinating the volunteers and making sure that all the pieces come together. The windows at Knollbrook had to be replaced, smoke detectors had to be installed, mattresses ordered and picked up (thank you Aleita for picking them up!), supplies such as coffee and women’s personal hygiene items obtained, the police, neighborhood and school notified and all the other things that go into opening a new cold weather shelter.

For the last six months a small group has been meeting to make sure that all these things happened plus the biggest one of all – getting volunteers to run it for the four months it will be open. We now have only five more weeks to fill and then the volunteers are also all in place. God is good!! People are responding and women are starting to find us. We opened with one woman on the first night but by the third night we had 3 (hope it doesn’t keep growing that fast – it would be pretty full by the last night at the end of 4 months )

We’re learning as we’re going but so far it’s going really well. The women are glad to have a safe dry place to sleep and the volunteers have been happy to be there.

Men’s Cold Weather Shelter Update

November 15th marked the beginning of the fourth season for the Corvallis Men’s Shelter. Opening night came none too soon as the weather several weeks prior was quite miserable for everyone trying to sleep outdoors.

The Corvallis Homeless Shelter Coalition represents a group of many faith communities and other organizations including Veterans For Peace and The Corvallis Rotary that provide volunteers to facilitate the operation of the cold weather shelter. The shelter is open from 7pm – 7am. from November 15th trough March 15th. Over the 17 week season about 2389 hours of volunteer time is donated.

We’re learning as we’re going but so far it’s going really well. The women are glad to have a safe dry place to sleep and the volunteers have been happy to be there.

Project Action

CDDC: Project Action has been quickly expanding the last few months, helping many people with various needs. Additionally we are forming partnerships with many organizations around town, slowly becoming more well-known as we give and take referrals.

More exciting news from Project Action is the gradual but definite success of the Clean-up Team. More people are calling to hire our workers at 9/hr for odd jobs around town. Mike Whipple along with the support of Chuck Vanderwettering has been coordinating the program. Anyone who wants work done just has to call the Project Action office at 541-738-7500 or Mike at 541-250-1411. The AmeriCorps VISTA, April Pritchard, who started in August, has been working hard coordinating volunteers to help in the office, the community, and as advocates for individuals. Many of those who have received services have been glad to give back and volunteer to those who have helped them or help others who need assistance.

One of our greatest needs right now (besides the prevailing need for funds ) is for individuals willing to be advocates for those who are trying to work toward goals such as employment, medical health, mental health, housing, identification, or whatever they feel would better their lives. Anyone interested in helping should contact the Project Action office 541-738-7500.

Jennifer Ambrosius with Aleita Hass-Holcombe and Rick Klinowsky at our celebration event Jennifer is an active volunteer who works part-time, but still lives in a tent. She was selected to participate in a panel to help the City Council in November to discuss the selection of those who are homeless in our community.

Fundraising

On November 19th, the First United Methodist Church sponsored a very successful Spaghetti Dinner Benefit for CDDC and the First Christian Church, raising $1200 to be split between the two. Special thanks goes to Joan Collison for coordinating the event.

Joan felt strongly that the contribution of space and gracious welcome that First Christian extends should be recognized and in turn supported by the community through more than lip service. Joan said, “Being United Methodists, the first thing that comes to mind is…food! Let’s have a dinner! A spaghetti dinner!” The dinner was attended by over 200 people from at least 10 different churches. Joan said, “There was such good feeling…you could just breathe it in! Joan is hopeful that the idea of this kind of fundraising for good things going on beyond the walls of ones own church will catch on.

Please Help Us!

We need help covering medical expense. From appointment access fees to prescriptions, medical care is not cheap. It is urgent that we build up our medical fund so that when we are asked for help we can say yes. We want to encourage our homeless persons to the care of their heath, not ignore problems because there is no way to pay for care or prescription. Your donation can make all the difference!

Housing First:10 Year Plan and Partner’s Place

The Wednesday, Dec. 2nd Gazette Times article on the front page by Bennett Hall captured well the concept of housing first and the vision of providing such a facility here in Corvallis. Benton County’s 10 Year Plan supports the concept and a generous offer from Ed Epley to intentionally rebuild his apartment building that burned down on Harrison street in a way that can make housing first happen is making an idea move toward reality. The idea to intentionally provide year round permanent supported shelter for individuals who are chronically homeless in Corvallis is a bold and needed step in meeting the challenge of ending homelessness. Partner’s Place will be that step.

Featured Individual

Greg Elgin represents a very special guy who is doing a very difficult thing. Greg is facing every day the reality that he cannot participate in activities that our advertising media promotes as the way to kick back and enjoy life. The practice of accepting and promoting mood altering drugs in our culture is blatant. What is not so well advertised is the fact that many folks will develop addictions.

Greg is facing his reality everyday and has struggled long and hard to find his high from life itself. On October 15th, Greg was one of fourteen individuals who were recognized in a celebration of successes that was sponsored by the Corvallis Daytime Drop-in Center’s Project Action. Greg was recognized for being a brave patient having just gone through surgery for back and hip problems. Above and beyond his perseverance in overcoming chronic pain, we applaud Greg for overcoming every day a greater hurdle which is the struggle to reject the use of drugs in his life. Our highest hope for Greg is that he will find each day that sobriety brings a truer high in his life.