HeartsBlog

• Keep an open mind to different perspectives and lifestyles.
• Show compassion and concern through listening.
• “SAFETY FIRST”- be aware, but don’t be threatening.
• Let the guest know that you are there for them through empathy , not sympathy.
• Be careful about what you commit to unless you’re able to follow through with those commitments.
• Don’t divulge personal info. like home address, bank acct., or last names.
• Be aware that homeless people have great difficulties with building trust, so don’t abuse it if you acquire it from them.
• Be aware our guest’s emotional state like addiction to drugs, alcoholism, non-responsiveness, and depression as well as mental illness.
• Don’t give up hope on our homeless guests if your first attempt to connect with them fails, try to build a relationship again.
• Always, treat our guests with respect, kindness and courtesy.
• Don’t try to solve the homeless problems, but give them info. about available resources like a case worker at the new Mid-Peninsula Opportunity Center.
• Always, remember that you may be the first and only witness to God’s amazing love and grace, so cherish the experience and opportunity if it arises.

Terri is having the first collection weekend for the drive for “socks for souls”, “undies for sundies” and “glad for bags”. She will need some help collecting these in the breezeway at Menlo Park Presbytarian Church in Menlo Park and maybe we’ll have the signup sheets there also, in case anyone wants to sign up. We still have a few slots to fill.

If you read this post and would like to help, please email telling us which times you can help; Saturday, October 21 6:00-6:30 PM, Sunday, 9:00-9:30 AM, 10:30-11:00AM, 12:00-12:30PM. I think if at least one person could help her at each time slot that would be great. Our email address is info@hearts4homeless.org. Please specify that you are interested in helping for the donation drive. You are also welcome to stop by and introduce yourself.

Be a part of our Hearts for Homeless Donation Drives

Donation Drives-
“Socks for Souls”
“Undies for Sundies”
&
“Glad for Bags”

Our Purpose-
to bring warmth and comfort to the homeless men and women of our community.

Drive Dates-
Sat./Sun. October 21st &22nd and October 28th&29th. Drop off location is at Menlo Park Prebytarian Church (on the listed dates only).
Collection Items-
New and unused packages of men and women socks, undergarments, clean and gently-used sleeping bags, duffle bags and pillows.

Monetary donations-
For $75.00 we can purchase a complete “Comfort Package.” This package will include socks, undergarments, sleeping bag, duffle bag & pillow.

Item sizes-

• Men socks (7-13+)
• Women socks (6-10+)
• Men undies (S-XXL)
• Women undies (S-XXL)
• Adult -sleeping bags

Distribution Locations-

• Hotel de Zink, Menlo Park
• MidPeninsula Opportunity Center, P.A.
• CityTeam, San Francisco
• Bread of Life, E.P.A.

For more information about the donations drive, please contact Terri Rogers at (650) 341-1084, email at rampim@comcast.net. Please do not drop-off items during the week at church.

These are a few of my reflections on the Grand Opening of the Opportunity Center of the Midpeninsula. the community of people seemed excited and happy to see the Center finally open. The joy from the visitors and the former homeless men and women was contagious and radiant. Both my mom and I enjoyed the music and the opportunity to meet different people from the many volunteers to the security guards. We both thought the Opportunity Center was beautiful in architectural design as well as the colorful landscaping. In addition, we were inspired with the exceptional resources that are available to this community such as the in-house computer lab and library for their precious children. My thoughts about the center are best summed up by the poem I wrote called “A Moment of Unity.”

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