Notes from the Director • May & June 2006

May and June have been so busy, I had to combine this column! For the first time since we opened our doors, we are serving four families and at capacity! We have babies, a nine-year-old, and a teen in our midst. Every day brings new surprises and new opportunities to learn. I realize each day how blessed I am to be part of this ministry.

Five of our eight adult guests are working full time. We have an 18-year-old mom studying for her GED, and two guests that are actively searching for jobs. There are many obstacles that our guests face in securing and maintaining employment: shortage of infant childcare, lack of transportation, continuing health problems and the need to attend counseling and treatment classes. I learned right away it’s not just a matter of “finding a job,” but also having the necessary resources to “keep a job.”

The community has been overwhelmingly generous. Donations received in the last month include:

• $1500 from Dan Roth for a car for our guests;
• a computer, printer, computer desk, table, chairs, and entertainment center from Dave McConnell;
• toys from the LDS Church;
• subscriptions to Parents, Us, and Field and Stream from Terry and Laura Cunningham;
• Sherm’s wonderful old bicycle from Margo Janke;
• a recliner for our guests from Marvin Backer;
• $125 of Wal-Mart gift cards from Gateway of Hope Church;
• $150 from Pilgrim Church,
• $100 from Mt. Ellis SDA for a guest’s replacement windshield;
• a bike rack from Owenhouse Hardware;
• $44 from Luke at Beth Israel;
• hair products from Mary Jean at Hair it Is;
• GED study books from Dee Austin;
• and cute children’s pillows from Irene Longfellow of Clyde Park.

I talked to the Cursillo group at Holy Rosary and they gave an offering of $386 and then Father Joe Oblinger followed up with a personal cash contribution of $1000 - and even gave us his mountain bike! Dave and Sally McConnell asked that in lieu of gifts, donations be made to Family Promise of Gallatin Valley at their wedding reception on June 16th. As of today’s date, June 23rd, approximately $3900 has been received! The blessings just keep multiplying.

I am more certain each day that we are all in this together. I know it takes a village to raise a child, but I am also learning how it takes a whole community to raise and care for families, especially those who are homeless and less fortunate than most of us. It appears that Gallatin Valley is rising to meet the challenge. As Helen Keller states: “Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.” Wouldn’t you and your congregation like to join us in this wonderful mission to provide shelter and opportunities for homeless families?

— Gloria Edwards