PROJECT H.O.M.E. NONE OF US ARE HOME UNTIL ALL OF US ARE HOME

It seems hard to believe that just a few weeks ago, most of us in the Northeast were blanketed in record snowfalls!!

It was shortly after this time that I was able to fulfill a dream of mine because of my friend, Jennifer McAleese.  I have always wanted to be able to do something to help the homeless.  Because Jennifer is involved with Project Home, she invited me to meet Sister Mary Scullion and take a brief tour of some of the Project H.O.M.E. locations.  Project H.O.M.E. is the anacronym for Housing, Opportunities for Employment, Medical Care, Education.  It empowers people to break the cycle of homelessness, address the structural causes of poverty, and attain their fullest potential as members of society. 

As we drove into Philadelphia’s Fairmount section on a very cold, damp and dreary day in March, we were very surprised and actually shocked as we passed a beautiful old mansion with a camelia in full bloom.  It was astounding! 

Project H.O.M.E. has developed a proven and effective program to assist persons in overcoming chronic homelessness.  This “continuum of care” is carefully designed to deal with the complex issues of persons with special needs such as mental illness and addiction. 
We met Randal Sykes, now a resident but formerly a homeless man.  He also is an artist and with the help of Project H.O.M.E. he is able to even express his talents!!  I have included two of his paintings here.  Project H.O.M.E. occasionally has art exhibitions as fundraisers.   I really like his colorful style!!
“Consult not your fears but your hopes and your dreams.  Think not about your frustrations, but about your unfulfilled potential.  Concern yourself not with what you tried and failed in, but with what it is still possible for you to do.”   ~ Pope John XXIII
We then visited the Honickman Learning Center and were amazed at the poster above created by Project H.O.M.E. children which seems to be honoring all women.  What a beautiful piece of art! 
HONOR A MOM THIS MOTHER’S DAY!
You can make a magnificently memorable gift this year in honor of or in memory of a special mother.  You can give a gift of pleasure and fulfillment that can only be realized through the “grace” of a generous heart.  Gifts will benefit mothers and families that live at Project H.O.M.E. residences!!
If interested you can explore Project H.O.M.E. at http://www.projecthome.org/. 
Daria Pew

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