Message from OSH - In case someone has time...

[dreez]

Hi OSH volunteers,

I hope that 2011 has treated you well so far! We’re grateful for you
being part of our work for another wonderful year. As you’re well
aware, the depths of winter are really hard on those experiencing
homelessness. Shelters are currently well past overflowing and we’re
all doing our best to keep everyone safe. At times this winter our
shelter has extended its hours, even staying open all day during the
December blizzard. This is a stretch on our staff and our payroll but
we believe it to be crucial.

You are an enormous part of making this work possible! When a resident
comes in after a long cold day, it’s you greeting them with a kind
smile, a word of encouragement, or a warm meal. It’s you who have
provided winter clothing for residents and helped us pay our utilities
so they can enjoy a hot shower. We cannot thank you enough.

I wanted to let you know about some great upcoming opportunities:

· Please join OSH and other Minnesota Coalition for the
Homeless members for Day on the Hill on March 15. I will be there and
hope you will too!We’re concerned about proposed spending cuts to many
of the crucial programs that fund our shelter and provide direct
support to those experiencing homelessness. This is an opportunity to
let your elected leaders know about the importance of programs like
our shelter and the impact you’ve seen them make. Training is provided
to make this a fun and nonthreatening event. Please see the attached
flyer for more information. If you can’t make it to Day on the Hill
but would like to stay informed about other advocacy opportunities
throughout the legislative session, sign up for action alerts at
http://www.mnhomelesscoalition.org/subscriptions.

· New dinner opportunities: We know that many people would
like to serve dinner with us but can’t coordinate an entire group or
provide the whole meal. We’re excited to offer a new solution! Through
HandsOn Twin Cities, individuals or smaller groups can now sign up to
be part of a dinner at our shelter. Details are available here:
http://bit.ly/FridayDinner. We also do have some full-group openings
to fill in the near future, including February 2 and 6 (Super Bowl
Sunday). Please help us spread the word to people in your life who may
enjoy getting to know OSH and our residents.
· We need socks! Our holiday donations were absolutely
wonderful and will fuel many of our needs for months to come. However,
we’re a little short on socks; we have enough for now but not to last
us as long as we’d like. If you’re looking for a project in your
workplace or congregation this winter, please consider a sock drive
for OSH. We need new adult socks, primarily men’s. We are grateful for
donations of all sizes.
Thank you for taking the time to read this update. Have a wonderful
weekend!

Colleen O'Connor Toberman
Volunteer Coordinator, Our Saviour's Housing

612-872-4193 x25
volu...@oshousing.org
www.osom-mn.org
www.facebook.com/oursaviourshousing

Want to stay up-to-date on our latest happenings? Subscribe to our e-
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too: www.facebook.com/oursaviourshousing.