Volunteer-Provided Daily Meal Program to begin November 20 at My Sister’s Place Women’s Center

29 Oct 08 12:00 AM CDT

On November 20, 2009, Catholic Charities My Sister’s Place Women’s Center will begin a volunteer program that directly impacts the quality of life for homeless women and their children. A corps of volunteers—who have committed to preparing and serving breakfast, lunch or dinner once a month for one year—will serve the first meal at the newly renovated comprehensive resource center for homeless women and their children. My Sister’s Place Women’s Center expands the space and services of the day shelter My Sister’s Place.

Lunch begins at 10:30 a.m. and ends at 12:30 p.m. at 17 West Franklin Street. Volunteers for the noon meal are the staff of Catholic Charities’ Development and Communications departments who will serve baked ziti with and without meat, bread and salad.

Five hundred volunteers are needed each month to sustain the meal program. To date, 50 groups—comprised of club members, business employees, congregants of houses of worship, and school staff and students—have committed to prepare and serve meals through the meal program. Approximately 150 to 175 women and children are anticipated to be served each day.

In addition to the meal program, the center will provide laundry and showering facilities, bus tokens, and clothing. Outreach services include case management to address existing needs while establishing goals to achieve independence. Participants are given opportunities to increase their income, health and housing options through financial coaching, volunteering, referrals and self-development. As participants progress through the program, strategies to obtain sustainable housing and employment preparation are presented. After completing literacy and skills training, women begin an employment search through career services at Our Daily Bread Employment Center.

Volunteers are being sought to mentor, facilitate workshops and arts & crafts classes, start clubs, provide field trip opportunities, organize events and provide children’s programming. To volunteer, call Jackie Reid at 410-261-6267.

In 2007, 1,116 women and children were assisted at My Sister’s Place.

Catholic Charities is Maryland’s largest private provider of human services, giving assistance to children and families, the elderly, the poor and the developmentally disabled—without regard to religion, race or other circumstances

More information about My Sister's Place Women's Center

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