Coldweather Homeless Shelter Site
First United Methodist Church is once again participating in the multi-partnership of providing a Winter Homeless Shelter. First Church will serve as a site during the weeks of December 8 - 15, 2008, January 19 - 26, 2009 and March 16 - 23, 2009.
During these weeks we offer a warm, safe place for men and women to sleep, with cots and blankets provided by the Lancaster Area Red Cross, a lite snack and an opportunity to hear about the word of God.
We need volunteers for all three weeks to provide intake work, set-up, overnight suppervision and check-out processing in the mornings. If you are interested in knowing more or in volunteering please contact Frank Haskell at 892-1075.
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Of note, within the last year an agency has organized to assist our community's homeless people. It is called Community Homeless Outreach Center at 210 South Prince Street (uses space at the Water Street Rescue Mission, though is not a ministry of the Mission). CHOC's director is Adrian Rodriguez, who is assisted by two part time social workers.
CHOC Mission Statement: Lancaster's daytime outreach center meets the basic needs of the chronically homeless in a safe, supportive, minimally intrusive environment, while also indentifying opportunities to connect members of this population with appropriate services and agencies in Lancaster County.
In its first six months, of CHOC clients - 63% connected to drug and alcohol counseling or treatment; 68% connected to mental health counseling and treatment; 83% received attention for physical health needs; 90% received help with physical hygiene (showers and dental); 35% found employment; 25% connected to Veterans Administration housing and treatment; 65% improved their income through Social Security benefits, county assistance, and employment.
To Become a CHOC contributor: Please send your donation to the Community Homeless Outreach Center, c/o Tabor Community Services, P. O. Box 1676, Lancaster, PA 17608-1676