Galvanizing support to end homelessness

A flash mob, a worn sock, and an eloquent immigrant were among the contrasting elements used on Thursday night to kick off National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week in Chester County,

More than 60 people gathered at the American Legion Hall in Kennett Square, united in a singular message: Amid affluent area communities, the number of people living in makeshift tent cities and substandard housing continues to climb.

Jaime Alvarez (center), who spoke eloquently about giving back to the community, is joined by his 14-year-old daughter Natalia and Kate Uhler, a 2014 Community Champion Award recipient who served as his translator.

In January, the Point-in-Time Count, a federal initiative implemented across the country on the same date, identified 684 Chester County residents without permanent, appropriate shelter. The 2013 figure was 625.

Supported by the Longwood Rotary Club, the kick-off event aimed to galvanize support for reversing those grim statistics. Its organizers – the Chester County National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Committee – offered a preview of multiple activities next week to raise awareness and several speakers to stress the importance of getting involved.

Before the formal program began, 17 dancers burst into the room. Directed by Tabitha R. Andrews-Colmary, the young performers from the KMC Dance Program dazzled the audience with their moves for about five minutes before disappearing. Cheryl Miles, who chairs the county’s NHHAW Committee, applauded the group’s willingness to come out on a sleet-filled evening to energize the community effort to end hunger and homelessness.

Kennett Square Borough Council President Leon Spencer said a threadbare sock ended up inspiring his remarks. He said he discovered a hole when getting dressed Thursday morning. He was tempted to discard it but realized that many in the county go without clothing that others take for granted. Instead, he said he decided to wear it.

Kennett Square Borough Council President Leon Spencer chats with Cheryl Miles, chair of Chester County's Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week Committee.

“All day I felt a little uncomfortable,” he said. “I’m wearing them tonight.” Using the experience as a metaphor for walking in another’s shoes, Spencer then performed an a cappella version of “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother.”

Other speakers included Msgr. Frank Depman, pastor of St. Rocco Catholic Church in Avondale, who discussed the growing needs of Mision Santa Maria, a donation center that serves 50 to 100 Hispanic residents a day. The outreach helps the needy with food, clothing, education and health care. “Finding a place for people to stay is a bit more difficult,” he said.

Elaborating on that theme, Annalie Korengel-Lorgus, pastor of Unionville Presbyterian Church, described Family Promise and the Interfaith Hospitality Network, a new initiative coming to the county. The pastor said organizers are looking for congregations that are willing to use their existing facilities to house and feed up to 14 people without permanent shelter nightly for one week four times a year.

The initiative, which will partner with social service agencies, will be the 180^th Family Promise affiliate in the country. The participants will be transported daily to day centers, where they can shower and receive care for preschool children. Older children will be taken to school, and adults in need of jobs and/or government aid will receive assistance. Korengel-Lorgus said service groups such as Lions Clubs and Rotary are also being sought to support those efforts.

Longtime community advocate Joan Holliday urges the audience to participate in the activities planned for National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week.

Jaime Alvarez, who came to the U.S. from Mexico as a young man, powerfully extolled the virtues of giving back. Speaking through a translator, Alvarez, who now has a wife, three children aged 9, 14, and 23, and a grandson, said a chance encounter got him involved with the Kennett Food Cupboard. He said during a routine jog, he stopped on the street to help two of its organizers, learned about what they were doing, and became a volunteer.

Alvarez, who works as a landscaper, said his son, who is now 23, volunteered at the food cupboard from the ages of 7 to 11, and his 14-year-old daughter is about to start helping out there. Alvarez said when he crossed the border, he immediately found $40. “I was told that here in the U.S., you sweep up money,” he said, adding that he left it alone, figuring “I’ll get it on the way back.”

Since then, he said he has benefitted from the assistance of many others and welcomes the opportunity to do the same. “Remember, it’s better to give than to receive,” he said. “If you don’t believe me, ask a boxer.”

The program culminated with the third annual Community Champions Awards. This year’s recipients were Randy Blough, a volunteer with several charities, including the Lord’s Pantry food cupboard in Downingtown; Tom Gatling, whose work to end homelessness goes well beyond his duties as a housing coordinator for the Arc of Chester County; and Kate Uhler, the emergency assistance case manager at Kennett Area Community Service and a catalyst for the local chapter of Family Promise.

Joan Holliday, a longtime community advocate and member of NHHAW, urged the audience to get involved in the numerous activities planned for National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week. They include:

Sunday, Nov 16: A prayer vigil and multi-denominational program of music, messages and meditations on hunger and homelessness will take place from 3 to 4 p.m. at CYWA, 423 E. Lincoln Highway, Coatesville.

Monday, Nov 17: Dubbed Meaningful Monday, residents are urged to use coupons found on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ChesterCountyNHHAW for the participating restaurants that will donate a portion of proceeds their local homeless provider or food cupboard.

Tuesday, Nov 18: Get It Done Day, sponsored by Sun East Federal Credit Union and ACT in Faith of Greater West Chester, will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Charles A. Melton Arts & Education Center, 501 E. Miner St. in West Chester. It will give those experiencing hunger or homelessness an opportunity to meet the service and benefit providers who will assist with enrollments, answer questions, and administer health screenings.

Wednesday, Nov 19: A Walk for Hunger and Homelessness will occur at noon at various locations throughout Chester County, including the Genesis Health Care building in Kennett Square and West Chester University. Participants are asked to bring an item to donate to a homeless shelter or food cupboard. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/ChesterCountyNHHAW.

Thursday, Nov 20: Decade to Doorways 2nd Annual Community Partnership Celebration. This invitation-only event is designed to recognize those involved in the systemic efforts of Chester County’s 10-Year Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness. For more information, visit www.decadetodoorways.org.