For more information, contact:
Dave Norris
PACEM
Phone: 434-465-1391
cvilledave@hotmail.com

 Homeless Shelter Opens for Cold Winter Nights
PACEM shelters 15 homeless guests this weekend

CHARLOTTESVILLE November 10, 2008 - This weekend, People and Congregations Engaged in Ministry (PACEM), welcomed 15 homeless guests into its safe, warm, interfaith, congregation-based shelter. Guests received nutritious meals and compassionate care from PACEM staff and volunteers.  As community awareness about the opening of the shelter spreads and as nights get colder, PACEM expects its nightly census to increase.

“We are so grateful to our congregational partners and our financial donors for making this successful opening weekend possible,” says Dave Norris, Executive Director of PACEM. “It is heartening to know that no one in Charlottesville is going to have to sleep outside during the rest of this winter, thanks to PACEM’s efforts.”

PACEM, now in its fifth year of operation, provides winter shelter and year-round support for homeless men, women and families. PACEM partners with over 60 congregations of all faiths, dozens of community organizations and local businesses, and thousands of volunteers to carry out its mission.  With continued financial support from generous community members, PACEM will provide winter shelter services through Mid-March, however, with additional financial support, PACEM will stay open through all of the cold winter nights – through the last frost date in April.

Donations to cover shelter operating costs can be made online at www.pacemshelter.org or by mail to PACEM, P.O. Box 14, Charlottesville, Va. 22902.

# # #

About PACEM

Since 2004, PACEM, an inter-faith, 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, has been serving the homeless population of Charlottesville, Va. year-round by providing shelter, meals, compassionate support and access to services. Since its inception, PACEM has provided over 20,750 nights of shelter and over 60,000 meals to over 600 different homeless individuals through its congregation-based winter shelter program, and another 268 nights of hotel lodging through its Women and Children’s Emergency Lodging Program. For more information about PACEM, visit www.pacemshelter.org or contact Dave Norris, PACEM’s Executive Director, at 434-465-1391 or at cvilledave@hotmail.com.

For more information, contact:
Dave Norris
PACEM
Phone: 434-465-1391
cvilledave@hotmail.com

 CHARITY CHUCK WAGON EXTRAVAGANZA
Nov. 15 Cowboy Lunch to Support PACEM

CHARLOTTESVILLE November 6, 2008 – Ace Contracting and Buckaroo Cordon Bleu will host an authentic Chuck Wagon Extravaganza Saturday, November 15 from 1-5 p.m. at Page’s Field in Batesville, Virginia. The charity event will benefit People and Congregations Engaged in Ministry (PACEM) – winter shelter and support for homeless men, women and children. Buckaroo Cordon Bleu will provide a menu of “cowboy cuisine” including Boeuf Bourguignon and Cassoulet.

“We are very grateful to Ace Contracting and Buckaroo Cordon Bleu for their support, and I encourage people to attend this fun event,” says Dave Norris, Executive Director of PACEM. “PACEM is here to ensure that no one in Charlottesville has to sleep outside this winter and the proceeds from this lunch will help us keep our doors open to the homeless over the coming months.”

The event will include an auction for a custom handmade chestnut dining table. Tickets are $50.00 per person and reservations are required. Call Ace at 434-293-6290 for reservations. Guests are encouraged to wear western attire.

PACEM will begin its fifth season of winter homeless shelter Saturday, November 8, 2008. Donations to cover shelter operating costs can be made online at www.pacemshelter.org  or by mail to PACEM, P.O. Box 14, Charlottesville, Va. 22902.

# # #

About PACEM
Since 2004, PACEM, an inter-faith, 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, has been serving the homeless population of Charlottesville, Va. year-round by providing shelter, meals, compassionate support and access to services. Since its inception, PACEM has provided over 20,750 nights of shelter and over 60,000 meals to over 600 different homeless individuals through its congregation-based winter shelter program, and another 268 nights of hotel lodging through its Women and Children’s Emergency Lodging Program. For more information about PACEM, visit www.pacemshelter.org  or contact Dave Norris, PACEM’s Executive Director, at 434-465-1391 or at cvilledave@hotmail.com.

Check back again soon for PACEM’s Holiday Gift Wish List (gifts go directly to our homeless neighbors) or contact Adriana Nicholson at 434-465-5093 or email pacemga@aol.com

At this time PACEM is not accepting in-kind donations of supplies. However, PACEM relies heavily on financial contributions from individuals, congregations and businesses to cover the costs of operating our winter shelter program and offering year-round advocacy and support to end homelessness in our community.

Please click here to make an online donation to help us achieve our goal of providing “A Pillow for Every Head” or mail your donation to PACEM, P.O. Box 14, Charlottesville, VA 22902. Thanks in advance for any support you can give!

During those weeks the congregation will be asked for the following:
1. A location where the beds can be set up all week long.

2. Congregation volunteers for those two weeks to:

a. Cook and serve meals at night or provide for this service through other means.

b. Prepare morning breakfast.

c. Provide two (2) persons to sleep in the shelter overnight with the professionally trained paid person(s)

d. Provide volunteers to talk with the folks in the evening, play cards, pray, watch TV with and befriend those participating in the shelter.

e. Pack lunches for those that sign up/request a bagged lunch. (This is to help those homeless who are employed and need to carry a lunch to work.)

3. Make a financial contribution for start-up money to purchase cots and sheets and to hire the professional night staff.

4. If your congregation’s facility is not available, consider renting a facility. (Private school, community center, etc.)

Contact Adriana Nicholson, our Guest Advocate/Volunteer Coordinator, at (434) 465-5093 or pacemga@aol.com if your congregation is interested in becoming a host organization.

Donate to PACEM (Giving Time):
Because PACEM is a locally supported interfaith collaboration that depends primarily on volunteers and the support of a kind and generous community, the following are ways in which community members and congregations can support PACEM, through donations of time:

1. Provide transportation for guests and/or supplies
2. Volunteer to staff the intake center
3. Be a sponsor of guest setups: cot, pillow and blanket
4. Provide food for meals to host churches
5. Provide general office assistance
6. Be a prayer partner
7. Provide a meal prep team member
8. Provide an overnight volunteer staff person

To get involved in these activities, or for more information on getting involved with PACEM, please contact Adriana Nicholson, our Guest Advocate/Volunteer Coordinator, at (434) 465-5093 or pacemga@aol.com.

While we hope for the day when no one needs our services, we plan for the reality that hundreds of Charlottesville residents will find themselves homeless at some point this winter.

Through the combined efforts of 46 local congregations and dozens of community organizations and businesses, PACEM was able to provide 6,622 nights of shelter or lodging and more than 15,000 meals to 237 different homeless individuals during the winter of 2006-07.

Your support allows us offer “A Pillow for Every Head” to everyone who makes their way to our doors. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation today to help us sustain this vital ministry!