PACEM

If you have lived in Charlottesville long enough, you have probably crossed paths with Tommy P.  You may have seen him walking around town with his ever-present backpack on his shoulder.  Perhaps you’ve exchanged pleasantries with him on the Corner.  If you’ve volunteered at the PACEM Men’s Shelter, which Tommy called home the last four winters, you and he may have played a game of cards together.  (To trigger your memory, Eric Kelley has a wonderful photo of Tommy on his blog — click here.)  He was a kind and gentle soul, and this past Sunday night, Tommy died in his sleep. 

St. Paul’s Memorial Church (1700 University Ave.) has generously agreed to host a service of remembrance and appreciation for Tommy next Tuesday, Oct. 28, at 10:00am.  Please join us if you have memories of Tommy to share, or if you simply wish to pay your last respects.  (For directions and parking info., click here:  http://www.stpaulsmemorialchurch.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=21&Itemid=90)

Tommy had a lot of people who cared for him, yet Tommy died homeless.  There are many more Tommys out there on the streets of Charlottesville.  In honor of Tommy, let us redouble our efforts to make sure that none of them die homeless too.

CBS-19 TV aired a great story today on the new “Step Up” program that Region Ten initiated this summer, in partnership with PACEM and with financial support from the City’s Housing Fund.  “Step Up” is a Housing First-type program through which 10-15 disabled, chronically homeless individuals (including several long-term PACEM guests) will be provided housing and support services in order to get them off the streets and help them climb the ladder to stability and self-sufficiency.  Two former PACEM guests are featured in the CBS-19 story and it’s definitely worth a viewing:

http://www.charlottesvillenewsplex.tv/home/headlines/26862749.html 

While no one expects Step Up or any Housing First initiative to have a 100% success rate, we know from many other communities that programs like this do make a big impact in the lives of the homeless and, in some cases, actually save communities money (given the significant amount of costly public services [jails, courtrooms, emergency rooms, shelters, detox facilities, etc.] that many chronically homeless individuals consume).

excerpted from a message sent to PACEM’s congregational contacts by Adriana Nicholson on 7/8/08:

Hello Friends!

So where is the summer going?? I don’t know about you, but I keep asking myself this very question. Last time I checked it was April and we were getting ready to celebrate all of you! Now, it is July and we are busy scheduling shelter for the upcoming PACEM winter season. Whew…time sure flies!

I have a lot to update you on. So, lets get started!

1. We have partnered with Region Ten to move two of our regular guests into their new Step Up program. One is in and another is in process. This is a big move for our friends. They will have housing with no strings attached. The gentleman who is already in says he feels like a new person. “It’s like God has given me a second chance at life. I hope I don’t blow it.” He is back to attending services at his congregation and has cut down on his drinking. Keep him in your thoughts and prayers.

2. Many of our guests have needed toiletries, clothing and new sleeping bags. The wet weather has not helped. Many have lost their tents and sleeping bags to water damage. If you have sleeping bags please bring them by the office. Thanks to our partnership with Hotels for the Homeless we have plenty of toiletry kits to give out. The Central VA Clothing Closet has always been our best source of clothing for our guests. Their assistance has continued this summer. If you have clothing donations please take them to their Bolling Ave. location.

3. A big THANK YOU goes out to Steve and Debbie McVey of Broadus Memorial Church. They are again running the Summer Water program at daily Soup Kitchens in PACEM’s name. This is both expensive and time consuming. If you would like to donate funds to this project you may do so through PACEM. Just note “summer water” in the memo line. They can always use extra people to pass out water. If you can help please contact Steve and Debbie at smcvey6220@aol.com. Please consider helping them. This is a great youth project!

4. Now for the BIG announcement: Drum roll please!!!!! THE MEN’S SHELTER SCHEDULE IS FULL!!! Yep, you heard right. Thanks to all of you the men’s shelter is fully scheduled. We will begin pairing up partners and hosts. If you would like to be a partner to a host congregation please contact me ASAP!

5. Now for the women’s news: PACEM has 6 weeks open for hosting women’s shelter. If you have been a women’s host and are not yet on the schedule we NEED you! Please review the attached schedule and send me your desired dates ASAP. They will go fast.

6. PACEM Health Fairs are moving to the next level…… Charlottesville Health Access. We had a large gathering in June and hope to move this project forward. Once it is operational, our guests and others in the community will have student and volunteer Navigators. These trained persons will to assist them as they ‘navigate’ our existing C’ville healthcare system.

In August you will be receiving details about our annual training event. This year it will be bigger and better than ever! Please plan to attend with your whole team!

So as I said…..The summer is flying by! Enjoy what is left and as always thank you for make “A Pillow for Every Head” a real possibility in Charlottesville.

Peace,
Adriana
Director of Volunteer and Community Resources
465-5093
pacemga@aol.com