Nobody can describe the difference we make in the community quite like our clients. They encourage each other, the Center’s staff, and volunteers with their success stories. We are thrilled to share some of our favorites!
Raymond
“ [The] Hospitality [center] has given me the opportunity to successfully reintegrate back into society. Having spent 3 decades in mental hospitals and prison, I was quite frankly a broken man. I grew up on the streets of Philadelphia [where] addiction, abuse, violence, and chaos were everyday occurrences that warped my perception of the world. I was convinced society placed more emphasis on recycling garbage than human beings. [The] Hospitality [center] gave me hope to put the shattered pieces of my life back together. More importantly, they patiently and lovingly showed me the way by encouraging, advising, and directing me to welfare, social security, legal aid, food kitchens, and food pantries. I was homeless. [The] Hospitality [center] gave me clothes to wear, food to eat, [and] a place to wash. They gave me back my life and self-worth. Through [the center’s] generosity, I acquired a place to live, clothes to wear, welfare, S.S.I., a free Obama phone, and the love and dignity I need to continue down this road of redemption and rehabilitation.”
Sharon
Sharon came to the Hospitality Center in 2012, homeless, and with a long history of addiction. Susan Giancola our former case manager, worked with Sharon to address her mental health needs, housing needs and other basic needs of food, daytime shelter and clothing. Sharon was temporarily housed in a shelter and started receiving mental health treatment through a referral made by her case manager here. Sharon came to the Center regularly seeking emotional support during this time. She utilized our computer services at the Center and was able to create a resume and apply for jobs online. She got called to an interview at Giant’s and has been working there since early November 2016. Sharon is also on Methadone maintenance and is progressing well.
Brittany
Brittany (name changed for anonymity) has been a client at the Center for over 3 years battling with homelessness, drug, alcohol, and mental health issues. Brittany required intense case management and counseling. After 25 recorded contacts between her case manager at the Center and other agencies including health services, housing resources, pharmacy, mental health services, children and youth services, Brittany and her boyfriend have their own apartment. They have enrolled in Intense Outpatient Parenting classes, as well as therapy for drug and alcohol abuse. We also obtained various baby and household items through the Mitzvah Circle Foundation. After a short labor, the beautiful and healthy baby boy was allowed to go home with his mom under close supervision of Children & Youth services. Brittany is grateful for her second chance, and shared that if there was ever a reason to stay clean, it is this newborn. She just wants to be a good mom.
Reba
The Hospitality Center has helped me in more ways than you can imagine, and has never turned me down, and if they
The Hospitality Center has helped me in more ways than you can imagine, and has never turned me down, and if they didn’t have the answer, they can point you in the right direction.
You will never starve. You are never cold or hot, always comfortable. You can talk to just about anybody. They go above and beyond to help.
Lloyd
I come to the Hospitality Center for devotions. They have helped me get off the street, find a home, and a job, and friends. I still come to show my thanks for what they have done for me. The Center helps more than anyone else.
Paula
I was homeless. I stayed in a shelter, and the next morning they told me to go to the Hospitality Center. I came to the Center the first time and it was scary because of all the new faces. I never was homeless before. But when I came to the Center I found the place was filled with so much love and joy. The staff is so open hearted. They fed my 6-month-old son and me. They gave me clothes, and toys for my baby.
They made me feel like family. I came everyday, and I listened to the word to start my day off good. Then there were times that I came back and they helped me find housing and helped me with Christmas and Thanksgiving and jobs. This place is a blessing from God.
They are more family to me than my own family. The Hospitality Center is family when you have or when you don’t have. They are always making a way when you feel there is no way. They are my loving, sweet, warm family.
