UPS & DOWNS
April, 2000

WAYFARERS' HOUSE NEWS

WELCOME to Liz; Emma; Ethel; Nickcole, Charles, Nashelle, Keylandra, and Aubynae; and Tracey.

FAREWELL and good wishes to Terry, Elizabeth, Barbara, Beth and Cole, Robyn, Diane and Jean.

WHAT'S BEEN HAPPENING

Legislative Lobby Day was held in Annapolis on March 28 with representatives from Meeting Ground joining in lobbying our legislators for an additional $1 million for the State Emergency and Transitional Housing and Services Program (ETHS) as well as an additional $500,000 for the Maryland Emergency Food Program (MEFP).
The Center for Poverty insists that, while the roots of poverty must be addressed, the resources must also be maintained and strengthened to help people in crisis. Homelessness and hunger continue.
Alisha and Marsha represented Wayfarers' House at Lobby Day. Alisha said the funds are needed especially for health care, food stamps and cash assistance in emergencies.

The first lunch served at the Elkton Community Kitchen in the Elkton Presbyterian Church on April 7 was attended by 50 people. The Friday lunches are served from noon to
1 p.m., and all are welcome to the no-charge meal, a three-month pilot project sponsored by local churches and community groups.
On April 14 Wayfarers' House furnished the meal with all the women of the house helping. They provided soups (split pea with ham, chicken and rice and vegetarian vegetable, this last provided by the men's shelter), sandwiches and dessert to 75 people. The team work was a triumph.
Special thanks, too, to Community Kitchen representative Kathie and to Emma, who used her skills to decorate the Easter cake and cupcakes for dessert.

BARN CLEARANCE AND YARD SALES

From March 15 until the present a yard sale has been held next to Wayfarers' House from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. most sunny days.

The clothing, household furnishings, toys and collectibles were donated to Meeting Ground. After residents have chosen from the donations to the House what they themselves need and staff have selected what is needed for the operation of the House, the remaining items have gone on sale to the community, and Wayfarers' House has benefitted from the money-donations made by visitors to the sale.

Barn Manager Tonya reports that cash donations of more than $900 have been collected to date. She says we would welcome more milk crates, bread crates, and plastic laundry baskets for organizing our wares.

Don't walk in front of me, I may not follow; don't walk behind me, I may not lead. Walk beside me and be my friend. (from Albert Camus)

One Monday evening after the Bible Study group led by Schaunel at Wayfarers' House had finished a session on homelessness, a resident shared these passages as having has significance for her:

Psalm 90, especially verse 17
Isaiah 65:17-25
Luke 9:57-62, especially verse 58
Revelation 21:1-4, especially verse 4
and Lamentations 3:19-24:

The thought of my pain, my homelessness, is bitter poison. I think of it constantly, and my spirit is depressed . Yet hope returns when I remember this one thing:

The Lord's unfailing love and mercy still continue, fresh as the morning, as sure as the sunrise, the Lord is all I have, and so in him I put my hope.
from the Good News Bible, Today's English Version

"I hope this helps others as much as it has helped me! Love, Kathie."

A new bathroom has been "built" by volunteer Erik Schaumann for Wayfarers' residents. It represents many days of labor by Erik, and it has had many admirers since its completion.

Volunteer May Yokoyama is starting Tai Chi instruction for house residents at 12:30 on Mondays. The 12 forms should provide benefits in strength, balance, breathing, relaxation and a mental focus for health. May suggests wearing loose clothing and flat shoes for the sessions.
A new alarm has been installed on the third floor of the house to provide quicker communication with the first floor living room when help is immediately needed on the top floor.

On April 4 Libby Cochran came from the Susquehanna Regional Private Industry Council to talk with residents about training programs for which the Council will pay. Two of our residents expressed interest in continuing their education in one of these programs.

Lon Campbell has provided weekly Tuesday morning counseling sessions about dealing with grief and Donna Akala has made presentations every other week to residents about substance abuse and infectious diseases.

The George Porter House on Mackall Street, Elkton, on April 16 opened its doors to all who wanted to see the newly renovated dwelling. Following the afternoon's guided tours through both sections of the house and refreshments, a service of dedication of the house was led by the Rev. Schaunel Steinnagel.
For the lively report of who the crucial volunteers for the renovation were and what they have accomplished, please see Director Barbara Dugan's article in the March-April issue of Loaves and Fishes. Many people labored hard, including Meeting Ground residents, staff and volunteers, to ready the house for occupancy. When final approval is completed by the zoning board, the George Porter House will provide transitional housing for a small number of residents who are leaving a shelter and can use a group home to accomplish some important life goals.