Although our volunteer policies have changed due to COVID-19, we would like to thank all of our volunteers. We appreciate your dedication and eagerness to serve at the Norristown Hospitality Center.

During this time we would like to tell the story of Laurie, one of our mailroom volunteers:

How did you get started volunteering at NHC?

My son was a student at Norristown High School, and through school announcements, I learned about collections for the Hospitality Center.  I looked up the center online and thought I’d like to do something, but wasn’t sure how I could fit in.  That April (2016), the High School choir was the featured performer at the Silent Auction/Concert, so when I went to see my son perform, I realized this was the same organization!  I ended up talking with Jennifer Mathews, who was the Volunteer Coordinator at the time, and the rest is history!

What do you do here?

Jen said that help was needed in the mailroom, and Betty Hartman was very kind and patient training me in how it works.  It has been a perfect fit for me.  I love the details and organization.  I sort the incoming mail and file it for all our clients.  I pride myself on knowing the names of many of our clients, and I enjoy interacting with people while distributing mail.  I’m so happy people have a place to safely receive mail, which can include everything from employment and benefit checks to magazine subscriptions and coupons.  For a while, before my son went away to college, he helped out one day a week, too.  A side benefit, before COVID 19, was being able to hear the daily devotionals.  I especially miss Deacon Dennis, but I also enjoy listening to Pastor Austin and Nancy Hicks. I can’t believe it’s been over 4 years total now.

What changes have you seen?

I’ve been very impressed that through many changes – a reorganization of the mailroom, a temporary move to St. John’s during the construction of new flooring, a new shower, new programs for clients, several staff changes, and now the many changes caused by COVID 19 – everyone works together as a team to provide service for our clients.  I’ve always been happy to be involved here, and I’m a monthly financial partner, too.

What do you do when you’re not at the Hospitality Center?

I have two part-time jobs.  I’ve been a church organist for 40 years, and a choir director for 30.  Currently, I’m the Director of Music at Augustus Lutheran Church in Trappe, playing the organ and directing the choral and handbell choirs.  The choirs are on indefinite hiatus right now due to COVID 19, but I still play the organ.  My second part-time job is teaching English online to young students in China.  I usually teach from about 7 am – 9 am.  I’ve been very grateful to be able to do this at-home work, and I’m always finished in time to do other things for the whole day!  I also play the piano for the Norristown Chorale, but that’s also on hiatus currently.

On behalf of the staff of the Norristown Hospitality Center, we would like to wish you a good summer and a happy Fourth of July! Despite the changes in our celebrations this year, the Norristown Hospitality Center had a wonderful Fourth of July weekend, complete with our fourth annual Fourth of July Barbeque.

The Fourth of July barbeque was started by one of our employees, Sidney Williams, four years ago. Despite his health issues, Sidney insisted on moving forward with a social distancing event and cooked platters of food for the celebration. Our staff also came out on Saturday to serve hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken, beans, and watermelon. As a special treat, a Mister Softee ice cream truck made an appearance and gave out free ice cream to our guests. Our client said it was “a joyous occasion for me and all of the participants here. I really enjoyed myself and it made being here really special during the COVID crisis”.

Although we had to adjust the event for health reasons, we served over 100 platters of food to our clients and those in the Norristown area. Sidney said, “I want people to know that I’m not the only one that is involved in this. I’m not just the brainchild, but there are so many other people donating.” The food for the barbeque was provided by our faithful donors and the ice cream truck was arranged by Sidney. “Thanks to all the people who donated and to all the people who volunteered. We couldn’t do it without you guys.”

Despite the quick transition from live to online, the Norristown Hospitality Center’s first Virtual Silent Auction was a triumph. The center raised over $15,000 from auction bids, raffle tickets, and financial donations. We were excited to see the highest turnout ever for our silent auction. We hope our participants enjoyed the event and making it a success. The Hospitality Center would like to express our gratitude for your support of our mission and congratulations to our auction winners!

5th Annual Sole Harvest 5k Registration is Open!

The 5th annual Sole Harvest Race will be October 13th at 9am at the Norristown Farm Park. All proceeds go directly to keeping our doors open and our programs running. Breakfast will be provided by Chick-fil-a. If you aren’t a runner, that’s ok. You can also walk it. It’s family friendly so bring the kids out or form a team with some friends! There will be some great basket prizes up for grabs in our raffle.

Online registration is open until October 10. Early bird discounts are available until August 31 so don’t hesitate! This year, there is also a cash prize for the male and female who are able to break the course record. The event is rain or shine and we hope to see many of you there!

For all the details click HERE!

The Board of Directors and staff met for a strategic planning retreat on November 5th, 2016. It was a very fruitful time together discussing and planning for the future. The Hospitality Center started as a response to the needs of the community in 1992. Communities change, and so do the needs. While we continue to meet the basic necessities of food and daytime shelter, we have been very intentional in understanding the current difficulties our constituents encounter. We have spent a considerable amount of time exploring ways in which we can meet some of these challenges within our mission. Our new programs are directly related to addressing these issues. The strategic planning retreat was facilitated by Megan McVety, Principal and Co-founder of Capacity For Change, LLC.

“It made me feel human again”

For many of our clients, a salon visit is a luxury they cannot afford, but the dignity and confidence a new haircut brings is invaluable. Barber John Johnson of Hairzone in Norristown visits our center on the first Wednesday on each month to offer his services to our clients. Our client’s needs and challenges are both diverse and complex; but the joy a fresh haircut can bring is universal. The center would like to thank Mr. Johnson for his time and expertise and we look forward to an ongoing relationship.

Do you have a skill that you could share at the center? Email [email protected] today!

In response to the need in the community,the Board of Directors at the Hospitality Center made a decision to keep the Center open longer hours during the day, beginning in December of 2016. We will now stay open from 7am – 3 pm from Monday through Friday. Saturday hours will remain the same – 7.00 am – 11:30 am. This decision was made in order to meet a gap in the services in Norristown. In the winter months, many of our clients who are temporarily housed in shelters in the community have nowhere to go in the day until their shelters open up late in the afternoon. For a long time now, they have been waiting at the transportation center or McDonald’s during the in-between times. Now, having a place where they can take shelter from the cold weather is a blessing to them. The Center offers a variety of programs which are aimed at strengthening their life skills. A safe space group program for women which is held in collaboration with the victims services of Montgomery county, cooking classes in collaboration with the Food Trust, Art Therapy, basic computer skills, job training are some of the programs offered during the extended hours. We look forward to a busy fall/winter season here at the Hospitality Center and ask for your continued support.