We are changing and growing
March 9, 2010 – 11:09 pm
The Coordinated Homeless Outreach Center (CHOC), like everyone else in this part of the country, just came through a record breaking winter. Record breaking snow fall has accumulated. Thankfully this has not dampened or buried our, or your, spirits and we continue to improve with the help of our friends.
In December while most of you were baking cookies the CHOC was baking bed bugs. Bed Bug Central and Cooper Pest control helped rid the shelter of a majority of the pests by offering us free thermal treatment. In addition, a new friend, Marcie, is helping by upholstering new cushions for all of our couches and love seats. These acts of kindness saved us thousands of dollars and we are extremely grateful. Needless to say they also greatly increase the quality of living at the CHOC.
In addition we were are involved in the launch of a new service, The Homeless Prevention Center.
The Homeless Prevention Center is:
- A telephonic homeless information and referral service that will put the Coordination in The Coordinated Homeless Outreach Center.
- An information and referral line for all homeless related calls
- Point of entry for the Montgomery County Homeless Shelter (formerly the CHOC) and other shelters
- County wide data collection for all homeless related calls.
The phone number for this new service is 1-877-646-6306. In light of this new service, what you currently know as the CHOC is now the Montgomery County Homeless Shelter. Please continue to call (610) 292-9244 to reach a resident or a resident’s case worker, or if you wish to make a donation or volunteer your time.
If you need shelter or want to make a referral please call the Homeless Prevention Center (1-877-646-6306). This new service began quietly but officially on February 15th, 2010.
At the shelter we are undertaking another project. The bathrooms are being renovated thanks to the financial assistance of RHD, our parent company, and the use of fees that our residents pay. We are retiling the showers and floors, adding a shower, lowering the lights and brightening the entire area, tiling and repainting both the men’s and women’s bathrooms, removing mold and repainting the bathrooms, and adding exhaust fans. Alleluia!
As usual, we continue to struggle with funding and meeting the many and diverse needs of those we serve. If you want to assist us with financial or other needs please do so. We will put any funding you send to good use in the way you pre-determine or the way it will be most beneficial. Those ways could be any of the following: 1) continued bed bug maintenance, 2) on going roof repair, 3) dividing into two shelters, one for men and the other for women 4) transportation , 5) fun and or educational outings, 6) art supplies to promote creativity, or any other suggestion you might have.
Our goal and desire is simple: To provide a clean, safe shelter for those that experience homelessness and to do so in a dignified and humane manner that acknowledges the trauma and burden that accompanies homelessness while finding creative and appropriate ways to alleviate the burdens and promote recovery from the trauma.
Thanks for reading! Have a delightful spring.
Keywords: CHOC, Homeless prevention Center, Montgomery County Homeless Shelter, News
