For many years, we have provided financial support for Hope Gardens, a transitional housing program run by Interfaith Housing Alliance. The Alliance also has a program that serves local families with children through a network of emergency housing locations provided by churches and synagogues. This support gives the adults the time needed to work on employment, permanent housing, day care and other living essentials. For one week each year, we host several families on our campus, providing meals, transportation, and overnight supervision. For one other week each year, our volunteers provide meals, transportation and overnight supervision for these families at our partner church, Trinity Episcopal Church in Ambler. Our participation in the Alliance programs is the legacy of Jim Sheldon, a passionate leader and shepherd of these programs until his untimely passing in 2011.
For more information on volunteering for this program, please contact Amy Hirsch at ahhirsch@verizon.net or Steve Bitterman at Stephen.Bitterman@chartisinsurance.com.
In their own words
Every year’s experience is different. We choose to stay the night because it just seems to work well. We say goodbye to the dinner volunteers then settle into an evening of Frisbee, a walk, rent a movie, or sit and read by ourselves if the family prefers a quiet evening.
-Chris Russell, volunteer
She had been badly burned early in life, yet her positive attitude and her ability to preserve despite adversity came shining through.
-Rob MacNamara, volunteer (remarking on the courage of one woman)
Jim (Sheldon) introduced us to Inter-faith Housing Alliance by telling us what a great opportunity it would be for our son, Trey, with whom he had a special relationship. He advised that there were usually several young children affected by the lack of housing and that Trey would not only have a chance to be involved in outreach he would also get to play with the kids staying at Trinity. Jim was right. Trey always finds something to do with the children, and he is looking forward to doing it again this year.
-Karen Dinger, volunteer
