CPOH News
Henderson Dispatch Editorial
People like Kenny Blackwell and Darryl Jones remind us of why we need safety nets in our society and the value of being given a second chance. Both Blackwell and Jones are the new co-managers at the emergency men’s shelter. They know the path the shelter’s residents are traveling. Both Blackwell and Jones have been homeless and got their lives back on track with the help of others. Both men also now want to help others who find themselves in similar circumstances. The men’s emergency shelter serves a vital role in this community, along with Hope House, which provides transitional housing (and through which Jones traveled on his way back to a more stable life). The shelter opens its doors Nov. 1 through March 31, with intake from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The men staying must leave by 6:30 a.m. Our one wish would be that the shelter could keep its doors open longer, but it requires a lot of community support to do just what it is doing now. Volunteers are needed to staff the shelter overnight. The men receiving assistance from the shelter need toiletries, food and minimal clothing items. It takes monetary donations to keep the lights on and to buy supplies. For some, the shelter will just be a temporary stop as they pass through, or a bed on an occasional night that is too raw to stand. But for others — like Blackwell and Jones — the reminder that people care about them, that there is help and hope may help guide them back to a more stable life, with family and friends surrounding them. Blackwell’s and Jones’ stories offer insight and help promote understanding. We hope people in the community will get to know them through volunteering at the shelter and also as members of our community. Their stories are the most compelling motivation for supporting services offered by the men’s shelter; they are proof the shelter and Hope House provide hope for the future. |
Hope House Grand Opening!
The public is cordially invited to join us for a ribbon cutting, dedication, and open house on March 24, 2015. Our celebration will begin at First Presbyterian Church at 4:30 p.m., where we will worship and give thanks for five years of successful emergency shelter operation. Those who are able will then walk to the corner of Chestnut and Horner Streets for the rest of our festivities. The ribbon cutting and dedication will begin there at 5:15 p.m. An open house with refreshments being served will follow. Most of us are looking forward to the warmer days of spring. One group of our citizens will be most happy to greet warmer weather, and I am referring to men without homes. Community Partners of Hope and our many supporters have helped some of these men make it through a rough winter by providing refuge at our emergency shelter. Only God can know what sort of hardship and danger might have befallen these men if there was no shelter. How would Henderson and Vance County be impacted were there no shelter? Would these men be safe? How would these men survive? Would some of them succumb to unsavory or illegal behavior in order to survive? What would the costs be to our community? Fortunately, there is a shelter! |
Frances Abbott Burton Powers Endowment
We are grateful for a grant received in August 2014 from the Frances Abbott Burton Powers Endowment, a component fund of the North Carolina Community Foundation. This grant will help meet the many expenses for the Shelter and Hope House. Preston Powers presents $5,000 grant from the Frances Abbot Burton Powers Fund to Ron Cava, Chairman of the Board of Directors, while Pastor Joseph Ratliff, Keith Benze, Charles Turrentine, Jr., and Jane King look on. This is a big boost to our budget, but we need more to be able to operate in the black! |
Photos from Fundraiser at 220 Seafood
We raised over $4000 thanks to many volunteers who sold tickets and worked in the kitchen, driveway, takeout, cash register, pouring drinks, seating customers, dipping slaw, bussing tables, and much much more! Check out the pictures here: https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B1FHgZ0UEqkgb0RUNGVkRjVYdWc&usp=sharing |
Shelter to Open on November 1 - Please help us prepare!
We need volunteers for supervision and meals (see Shelter Calendar at left) We need a gently used recliner for the supervisors to use for overnight. We are in desperate need of 10 to 15 cots!! (Does anyone have any suggestions as to how/where we can find some cots?)
We are in desperate need of Deodorant, (for the toiletry kits). We need 200 to 300 individual deodorants. We need: Coffee, Sugar (NO CREAMER as we have plenty), Paper towels, Toilet Paper, Towels and wash cloths.
Other items that will be helpful on an on-going basis are: bleach, blankets, men’s socks (new), men’s underwear (new), new insulated underwear, gently used or new winter coats (would be nice to keep a few on hand at all times to have available when needed).
Items can be brought to the office of First Baptist Church, or to Charles Turrentine, Director of the Shelter. |
Donated Property!!!!
Shelter Supervisor/Director
Volunteer data base
![]() Please take a minute to put your information into our volunteer data base. This will give us one central place for contact information and availability for scheduling. If you have not already answered our questionnaire, please click HERE or on the "Get Involved!" tab above. |