PACEM » PACEM

Charlottesville Homeless Shelter Opens for Winter Season

admin — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 16:59:13 +0000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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.

PACEM Off to a Successful Start

admin — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 05:09:55 +0000

Last night marked the debut of PACEM’s fifth season of winter shelter, and our months of preparations paid off — the night went off without a hitch. We had 9 homeless guests last night and 15 tonight, and our census will continue to increase as the weather gets colder and as the word gets out that we’ve re-opened our doors. Both Channel 19 (click here) and Channel 29 (click here) ran excellent stories in conjunction with our re-opening.

Over 60 area congregations and thousands of area citizens assist with PACEM each winter, helping to ensure that no one has to sleep out on the streets of Charlottesville during the coming cold-weather months. We are hoping to stay open through at least the middle of March 2009, though that’s entirely dependent on how much money we can raise from now until then to cover our shelter operating costs; more funds mean we can stay open longer. (If you’d like to contribute to that effort, please click here. All donations are fully tax-deductible and greatly appreciated!)

Below are a few photos I took at our men’s shelter last night. Even after four years it continues to be a remarkably humbling experience whenever I walk in the doors of PACEM, seeing row upon row of cots and knowing that those cots are what passes for home for many in our community — including some folks who can fit everything they own in a single backpack.

We take so many things for granted, you and I. We forget that not everyone else can.

Here’s Jessie, Tonya, Gwen and Johnny (L-R), some of our returning shelter staff. We have the best people working for us at PACEM! — Dave Norris

Charity Chuck Wagon Extravaganza to Support PACEM

admin — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 17:57:53 +0000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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.

Thanks Kappa Delta for Supporting the PACEM Women’s Shelter!

admin — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 02:53:28 +0000

On Sunday, September 21st, in honor of National Women’s Friendship Day, Beta Alpha of Kappa Delta Sorority of UVA hosted a benefit brunch for PACEM Women’s Shelter. This informational brunch was a fantastic effort on behalf of Kappa Delta to spread awareness of the plight of homeless women in Charlottesville and to generate ideas for how sorority groups at UVA can enrich the lives of our homeless women through participation in PACEM’s programs. A special thanks goes to Kappa Delta sisters Laura Taylor and Emily Moran for organizing this well attended brunch.

If you would like to support PACEM by hosting a party or informational gathering to raise awareness of local homeless issues, to raise funds for PACEM’s programs and to create an opportunity for enriching experiences for yourself and others, please contact Marie Lynch at marie@pacemshelter.org or call 434-465-1327.

PACEM Now Hiring Part-Time Development Coordinator (Update: HIRED!)

admin — Mon, 19 May 2008 03:27:18 +0000

PACEM (People and Congregations Engaged in Ministry) is now hiring a part-time Development Coordinator to conduct donor outreach, develop fundraising campaigns, build and maintain our donor database, assist with grantwriting, and plan special events. The PACEM Development Coordinator will help create and execute a fund development strategy that engages with individual, congregational, business, civic, governmental and philanthropic donors to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of our cold-weather shelter program for the homeless and our year-round homeless support initiatives.

Seeking a hard-working self-starter who is unafraid to “make the ask” and has a heart for the mission of our organization. Pay is $24,000/year for a 20-hour/week position (no benefits).

To apply, send a cover letter and resume by Friday, June 6 to: Dave Norris, Executive Director, PACEM, P.O. Box 14, Charlottesville, VA 22902; or via e-mail at cvilledave@hotmail.com. PACEM is an equal opportunity employer. For more information about PACEM, please visit www.pacemshelter.org.

7/5/08 UPDATE: This job opening is now closed — we’re very pleased to report that Marie Lynch (a PACEM volunteer with a professional background in fund development) has joined our staff as PACEM’s new Development Coordinator. Welcome Marie!!

PACEM Recognition and Awards Event, April 11, 2008

admin — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 12:18:59 +0000

Friends of PACEM:

I hope you’re planning to join us on Friday, April 11, from 6-8 p.m. at the John Paul Jones Arena @ UVa for a lively end-of-season Recognition and Awards Event. This is shaping up to be a wonderful celebration, and I wanted to share some exciting updates about the evening’s activities.

In addition to tasty food, live music (courtesy the singing group Fire), a special tribute to the volunteers and staff who made our winter shelter season a success, and the debut of our annual PACEM “Golden Pillow” and “Hope and Hospitality” Awards for folks who’ve gone above and beyond to help the homeless:

* Dr. Charles Marsh has agreed to join us with some inspiring keynote remarks. Dr. Marsh is the founder of the Project on Lived Theology at UVa, and author of The Beloved Community: How Faith Shapes Social Justice, from the Civil Rights Movement to Today.

* I am pleased to announce that we are expecting another very special guest, Mr. Tom Shadyac. Tom, the director of Bruce Almighty, Evan Almighty, Patch Adams, Liar Liar, Ace Ventura: Pet Detective and many other hit movies, will help to honor our award winners, and will give us an update on the First Street Church Project, the community resource center/homeless day haven that he is working to bring to downtown Charlottesville. Admission is free and there is plenty of free parking.

You won’t want to miss this event — we hope to see you then.

Peace,
Dave Norris
Executive Director

p.s. Many thanks to the following business and individual sponsors who made a financial contribution to PACEM in conjunction with this event:

Allied Concrete
BP Oil
BB and T Bank
Better Living
Bob’s Wheel Alignment
Mac and Kay Canter
Bushman-Dreyfus
Daggett and Grigg Architects
Family Medicine of Albemarle
Les Fabriques
Martin-Horn
William and Lori Millick
Mitchell-Matthews and Associates
Mary Newton
Omni Hotel
Quality Information Partners, Inc.
Ryscor Corporation
Ramsey Family Trust
Region Ten Community Services Board
Gabe Silverman
Southern States
Summit Realty
David and Rebecca Sweet
Swift Air Delivery
Synthonix Corporation
Virginia National Bank

Donate to PACEM (Needs and Supplies)

admin — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 19:14:37 +0000

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!

Donate to PACEM (Financial Donations)

admin — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 19:09:36 +0000

PACEM relies on donations to fund operating expenses, such as supplies and office space. In addition, even though PACEM depends on volunteers, there is a paid, trained staff on-site at the shelters at all times throughout the season, as well as a full-time staff that provides ongoing year-round support to the homeless.

Sponsorship Opportunities for PACEM:
If you don’t know what to give, you can choose to cover the cost of one of the items below:

1. Purchase of new cots — $1,500
2. Hotel vouchers for homeless families — $3,000
3. Emergency assistance funds for homeless guests (help with prescriptions, bus tickets, winter coats, etc.) — $1,000
4. Transportation of guests to and from shelter — $10,000
5. Shelter supplies — $4,000
6. Shelter monitor position (an employment opportunity for a former PACEM guest) — $2,940
7. 1 week of shelter (staff time) $1,800
8. 1 month of shelter (staff time) $7,500

PACEM is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization and donations to PACEM are tax-deductible. Your monetary contribution in any amount can be sent to: PACEM, P.O. Box 14, Charlottesville, Virginia 22902, or you can make a secure on-line donation.

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.