"When did we see you a stranger and make you welcome?
I tell you solemnly, in so far as you did this to the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it to me..."

~ Matthew 25:40

"What Have We Done for The Poor Ones?"

They are the homeless of Macomb County. They need: a hot, light evening meal; a warm & safe place to spend the night; and a light breakfast to start their long day. But most importantly, they need our Kindness.

"What Have We Done For The Poor Ones?" was the title of the song we sang at all our Sunday Masses during Advent. Each verse started out with a question: "What have we done for the poor ones, the hungry, the stranger, the broken, the prisoner, the voiceless?"

St. Blase parishioners will be given the opportunity to answer the call of the song by welcoming the homeless of Macomb County. This will give the St. Blase parishioners an excellent opportunity to serve the people mentioned in the six verses of "What Have We Done for the Poor Ones?"

We need people to provide food and to help serve the hot meals we offer. We need people to greet and assist our guests through our intake process. We need both men and women to spend a night from 11:00 PM until 7:00 AM the following morning.

In addition, we need financial support to purchase the mats that our guests sleep on during their week-long stay.

Also we would like to provide assistance to the Macomb County Warming Center in paying for the washing of the blankets that get used during the week. Please make checks payable to St. Blase with a notation for the Warming Center. Your contribution in any amount will be used to offset the cost.

If you would like to volunteer in any capacity, please Contact the Parish Office for more details at (586) 268-2244.

St. Blase Macomb County Warming Center - FAQ

How many people took advantage of the Warming Center at St. Blase?
We began with approximately 52 guests on Sunday evening, increasing to 68 on Wednesday and averaging 61 each night. Approximately 80% mean and 20% women.

How do these numbers compare to last year?
The number of guests was slightly lower this year. This could be attributed to warmer weather and/or SuperBowl opportunities for the homeless in downtown Detroit.

How do they get from place to place and one Warming Center church to the next?
Transportation can be a huge challenge. Very few have cars, some use bikes, many walk to and from bus stops. Unfortunately the 15 Mile bus does not run on Sunday. Bus tickets were provided to guests.

How many churches participate in the Warming Center?
There are approximately 330 churches in Macomb County. St. Blase is one of 14 that participated this year. Six other Macomb County Catholic parishes also participated.

Where do they go during the day after leaving the Warming Center?
A few go to work, others visit the library or the Mall. There is a Salvation Army Center in Mt. Clemens where some go for lunch. St. Margaret's offers lunch and showers on Monday-Wednesday-Friday; St. Donald's offers lunch on Tuesday-Thursday.

Macomb Warming Center is working toward opening a daytime drop-in Center in the near future.

Why are they homeless?
Some of the apparent reasons include: loss of job, eviction, untreated mental illness, addictive behavior, lack of family support system, chose to leave an unhealthy relationship.

What's the difference between MCREST and the Warming Center?
MCREST operates year round while the Warming Center is open November through March. MCREST is a funded County program, guest enter for 30 days and receive follow up social services. Warming Center relies on donations, a volunteer staff and one part-time employee. MCREST offers lunches, personal transportation, laundry, admittance @ 6 pm, full meal and some recreational opportunities. Warming Center offers a warm, safe place to sleep during the winter months. Meals are limited to soup, bread, desserts for dinner and a light breakfast. MCREST accepts men and women and families with children. Warming Center accepts men and women only. Both have a secure intake process although MCREST requires guests to pass a breathalyzer.

Where did they all sleep?
Guest receive 2 blanket, a pillow and an insulation mat when they enter. All slept on the Social Center floor, women in a closed off section apart from the men.

When were guests allowed to enter the building?
Generally speaking, doors open between 8-10 PM Some exceptions were made to accommodate other late arrivals. All guests are aware of the entrance time, some choose to arrive early because they want to be first in the intake process, and others are bound by bus schedules. Guests cannot be left unsupervised therefore it is necessary to wait for the full staff of intake and kitchen volunteers to arrive.

Did you ever turn people away because you were too full?
No. If they were cold and needed a place to sleep we found room.

Were there any problems?
Two guests became ill and were treated by EMS and taken to the hospital. Some guests refused to follow Warming Center guidelines and although there were no physical confrontations, Sterling Heights' police responded to calm the situation.

Did you really get to know any of the guests?
Absolutely! After the 2nd night they were no longer "just the homeless." We saw them with new eyes remembering their names and their stories. Charles was so proud that he had just secured his truck driver's license. LaKeta awoke at 4:45 every morning in order to catch the early bus to taker her to work. On Sunday she awoke early and dressed for church. Dan is a Viet Nam vet suffering from limited mobility due to a stroke. Efforts are being made to secure permanent housing for him. These are just 3 examples of those who willingly shared their stories. Mark, Matt, Philip, Stu and Robert also have stories and are struggling with the circumstances of their every day lives. They represent a segment of society that is often forgotten and overlooked. They are the poor and downtrodden that Jesus said we will always have with us.

Did you have enough volunteer help?
Volunteers did a fabulous job of serving guests with kindness and patience. There were 3 important volunteer areas: kitchen, intake, and overnight supervision. Many people were involved in making soup, desserts and serving our guests. Intake required volunteers each evening. Night supervision required 5-7 volunteers to spend the night. Jadz Kelly commented that so many volunteers were true reflections of the popular song "This little light of mine, I'm gonna make it shine." This does not include the hours of preparation and organization for the Warming Center.

What can I do to continue supporting the Warming Center?

• Remember the homeless and Macomb County Warming Center in your prayers.
• Volunteer to help at shelters or assist with laundry on Sunday mornings.
• Participate in fund raisers, let your friends know of our services and needs.

The Warming Center is a grass roots organization that is dependent on donations. Tax deductible gifts can be sent to:

Macomb County Warming Center (Please make checks payable to MCWC)
P.O. Box 53
Roseville, MI 48066

For more information, contact: Patrick Byrne (586) 296-2091

About Macomb County Warming Center

"...Amen, Amen, I say to you...as often as you did anything for the least of my brothers and sisters...you did it for me." ~Matthew 25:40

Did you know that in Macomb County there are over 800 homeless on any given night?

Part of the solution to this enormous problem is The Macomb County Warming Center. The Warming Center offers a safe, warm environment to the homeless at various churches throughout the country. Each week participating churches offer food and shelter to approximately 60 people.

Mission Statement

• The Macomb County Warming Center seeks to provide a safe, warm place to spend the night for those who would otherwise have no shelter. We will provide a simple but nourishing evening and morning meal. We will refer guests to agencies that may be able to assist them, if they desire.
• We are a faith based group who believes that our efforts and spiritual support, guided by the hand of God, can assist in inspiring positive changes in the outlook of individuals who face serious challenges that are obstacles to their ability to find housing. We strive to see Christ in all who come through our doors, and this basis of our work is visible in our logo which we call "Christ in the breadline."

Brief History
During the winter of 2000-2001, four people died and many more were in severe physical distress as a direct result of a lack of adequate shelter in Macomb County. The existing shelters were full and overcrowded and the weather was unrelentingly cold, windy and icy.

On January 16, 2001, a team of existing shelter directors and other interested parties called a meeting of local church and community leaders. As a result of that meeting, the Macomb County Warming Center had its first task force meeting on January 39, 2001 at St. Margaret of Scotland Church. Deacon Ron Channell convened a small task force to meet every two weeks for the rest of 2001. They contacted churches, businesses, government officials, and media - everyone who was in a position to help. The response was slow at first, but eventually there were seven churches of "various denominations" that stepped up to the plate. Other churches and organizations offered space, money, volunteers, and supplies.

Finally, in January 2002, the Macomb County Warming Center opened its first overnight shelter at Sacred Heart Church in Roseville. During the remainder of the winter into April, the seven churches sheltered the homeless for a total of eleven weeks.

The Macomb County Warming Center consists of twelve Macomb County interdenominational churches, which rotate in hosting the homeless during the months of October through March. The hosting church supplies a warm evening meal, a warm place to sleep and a light breakfast in the morning. Though similar to MCREST, the Warming Center's main goal is to provide shelter during the cold winter nights.

We will need the support of many of our parishioners to make this a successful, enriching and rewarding experience for all. Please check future bulletins for information on how you can help.

Please open your heart. The Macomb County Warming Center looks forward to continuing in the effort to provide overnight shelter and food to our homeless brothers and sisters.

Will you help?

• SPACE: Provide space to shelter the homeless for one or two weeks
• VOLUNTEER: Volunteer to assist with Warming Center activities.
• FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE: Always welcome. Please make checks payable to MCWC.

To find out how you can help contact Kevin Goodrich, President at (586) 774-0998 or KMAC0202@WOWWAY.COM or at www.warmingcenter.org.

Please accept my sincere thank you for all your efforts and hospitality during my stay in the warming center. I really don't know what I would have done without you! After my release from jail, I had nowhere to go. The weather was very cold. Most people who are not involved in this area ( homelessness ) don't understand and are afraid to get involved. This alienates persons like myself from society. What a feeling! No hope, no love, no place to go. Thanks to your organization that changed for me. I changed from bitter, to calm and hopeful.

I know sometimes you must feel as though it's a waste of time when residents of the program abuse the churches, volunteers, and other residents. Even though it may seem that your not getting to individuals ( meaning changing or helping ) you certainly are! You become hardened when your on the streets like that. You learn to put up a wall so thick that you feel safe from all harm. Guess what? The love I've seen from everyone in the center makes it through the walls. Countless times I've seen and heard from even the hardest of them all the feelings they have for all of you. You really make the difference! What a blessing I'll bet God has in store for you! Thank God for you all being there! You all changed me so much that my sisters want me back in their lives. It's sure good to have family! If your interested in updates in my recovery, feel free to write or E mail. Again, thank you so much!

Love,
S.H.
North Branch, Mi.