The feature length film, Fireproof, is coming to town on the eve of Valentine’s Day and all proceeds will support PACEM!
Produced by the creators of Facing the Giants, the movie chronicles the attempts of a firefighter to save his marriage even as he saves the lives of others in peril. The Paramount showing is sponsored by First United Methodist Church and tickets are only $6. (Purchase at the theater or on-line at www.theparamount.net)
Holy Comforter Volunteer, Roberta Crosby, at PACEM's Intake at The Haven.
PACEM’s Intake moved to The Haven at First and Market Streets. Moving Intake for PACEM’s shelters to The Haven is part of a long range plan to centralize homeless services, which can help move our neighbors beyond the crisis of homelessness.
For five years, Holy Comforter Catholic Church served as PACEM’s Intake site where seven nights per week, from November through March, homeless neighbors in need of PACEM’s ‘shelter of last resort‘ felt welcomed. Holy Comforter and its congregational volunteers provided a dependable gathering space and nightly hospitality for men and women to sign in and be transported to PACEM’s rotating shelters.
We are grateful to Holy Comforter for its continued commitment to provide volunteers, just a few blocks down the road, at our new Intake location. And to The Haven for providing the space from which our homeless neighbors can access PACEM’s community-based, rotating shelters.
Thanks to the generosity of many, PACEM shelter remained open during the worst of the snowy days. We are particularly grateful to Portico and Charlottesville Friends Meeting, for extending their shelters to fifteen days because of the snow. And to All Souls and Trinity Presbyterian for bringing food to Portico and Friends Meeting.
The response to the snow storm has been a great example of the strength of a community shelter system. Thanks to all those who walked in with meals to both sites over the weekend, and to those who loaded cots in the snow. Thanks to the man who plowed the parking lot on Jefferson Park Avenue, to Reid Market who donated hot cups, and to all the volunteers who came to the shelter during the day on Saturday to keep our homeless off the streets. We are grateful for your kindness.
Our homeless guests have been shoveling cars on JPA, even with bags on their feet. We work to continue to keep them warm and under a roof.
Thank you Charlottesville, for taking care of our homeless.
Click here to read today’s article about PACEM in the Daily Progress. If you would like to make a donation to help, click here.
Event postponed due to inclement weather. New date will be announced soon.
On the first day of Winter, gather in honor of our homeless neighbors who have died and recommit to the task of ending homelessness in our community.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Candlelight Walk – 5:30 pm
Gather in front of the Charlottesville Ice Park starting at 5:15 pm.
A limited number of candles will be available. Bring a lantern if you’d like.
Memorial Service – 6:00 pm
CitySpace – 100 5th Street NE
This event is free and open to the public.
Bernie Glassman, a pioneer of the American Zen Movement, will offer an evening talk in Charlottesville on November 24th. The talk is hosted by Insight Meditation Community of Charlottesville (IMCC).
Roshi Glassman emphasizes service as an expression of spiritual awakening. Integrating Zen practice and social service, Glassman developed the Greyston Foundation in New York. Greyston administers a set of social service groups and businesses to lift homeless people out of poverty. Offerings include housing, job skill training, employment, a child care center, an AIDS residence and a licensed HIV clinic.
Roshi Glassman’s evening talk is from 7:30-9 pm, at JABA, located at 674 Hillsdale Drive on November 24th. Proceeds will benefit PACEM, with a suggested donation of $10.00.
PACEM will join with The Haven to welcome Glassman for tea and a tour of the The Haven in the afternoon before his evening talk.
See www.zenpeacemakers. org for information on Socially Engaged Buddhism.
Please join PACEM and tour The Haven, at a ‘Housewarming Party’, November 21st, 12-4 pm. The Haven is across from Lee Park, at the corner of First and Market.
The Haven will offer a safe place for our homeless neighbors and community members during the day. PACEM and other local service agencies will provide supportive services within The Haven, creating a broader community effort to help move our neighbors beyond the crisis of homelessness.
On October 31st, 2009, PACEM will open for its sixth season of providing shelter. Holy Comforter Church (208 Jefferson Street), will serve as our Intake Site for the first month. Intake: 5-6 PM each evening.
Indulge in chocolate, music and childrens activities. Run or walk the 5K Chocolate Chase (register in advance or from 7-7:45 a.m. on race day). Proceeds from the festival and foot race benefit community outreach efforts, including PACEM.
Stop by PACEM’s stand where board member and local visual artist, McCrea Snyder Kudravetz, will sell her calorie-free chocolate collages and former board member, and co-founder of CVille Pie Fest, Marijean Jaggers, will auction one of her decadent chocolate pies.
Some of the judges - Delegate David Toscano, Brian Wheeler, Jim Duncan and Coy Barefoot
A Celebration of Pie and Community Benefits PACEM.
With pies in their eyes, spectators gathered as judges sampled over 25 pies crafted by community bakers this past Saturday, October 3rd, at the first ever CVille Pie Fest, at Crozet Mudhouse.
Donated pies were raffled off to satisfy the sweet toothed. Plates and forks were sold to all who wanted to taste the already judged pies. And a Clifton Inn apple pie was put up for auction. Proceeds from the event helped to raise funds for PACEM and to increase awareness about its Community Homeless Shelter.
Congratulations to the winners of the pie baking contest, which included Colleen Keller, PACEM’s Executive Director, and her family, for their “roadhouse apple pie” and Kathy Banner, who won “best of the fest” for her lemon chiffon pie.
Many thanks to everyone who made online donations in honor of CVille Pie Fest. We are grateful to organizers, Steve Whitaker, Marijean Jaggers and Brian Geiger, who beautifully orchestrated this event, as well as to The Honey Dewdrops, volunteers, judges and sponsors (including Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport), who helped make this celebration of pie and community a huge success!
Board members, volunteers and staff introduce customers to PACEM while bagging groceries.
Thank you Charlottesville, for filling your grocery carts at Whole Foods on September 16th. Community Day at Whole Foods generated over $4,400 for PACEM’s homeless shelters, helping us provide “A Pillow for Every Head“.
We are grateful to Whole Foods Market for this opportunity.