Abraham's Tent

 

In the winter of 2009 Spring Glen Church was one of the original faith communities to open its doors to provide housing for a week to a dozen or so homeless men.  This program, known as Abraham’s Tent, is organized by Columbus House, which is the primary agency addressing homelessness in the New Haven area.  This year, for the first time since the program started, we will not be housing men in our facility; however, we are excited to be partnering with Bethesda Lutheran Church on Whitney Avenue.  Therefore, we still need your involvement!  Here are ways you can help during our week working with Bethesda Lutheran:

 

1)    Volunteer to stay overnight at Bethesda Lutheran—this is the greatest need.  Overnight volunteers take turns staying awake so someone is always available to address any needs that arise during the evening, though in all the years Spring Glen has participated there has never a serious problem.

 

2)    Be a host.  That simply involves coming in the evening around 6:00 for dinner with the men and then staying for a couple of hours to engage in conversation, play games, etc.  No agenda—simply make oneself available.

 

3)    Contribute toward the purchase of Subway gift cards for the men’s lunches and the stocking of breakfast food items.

 

4)    Help prepare the evening meal. 

 

Can you help?  If so, please contact Laurel Laster (laurelclaster@gmail.com) or Doug Hawthorne (dougdhawthorne@gmail.com; 203-907-8440).  We will be at coffee hour the next three Sundays to schedule volunteers and accept donations.