At a March 28, 2011 community meeting, Macon, Georgia residents announced their intention to work with Depaul USA to develop a day/resource center for the homeless. This decision was the culmination of two months of discernment and study of local needs and existing services. The day/resource center will help clients improve their daily living skills and access community services. Residents also signed up for Programming, Fundraising, Facility and Public Relations committees at the meeting.
In early April, the Daughters of Charity of the Southeast Province announced a $7,000 grant to Depaul USA. Sr. Elizabeth Greim, D.C., who has spearheaded the project in Macon stated, “This generous and timely grant will allow Depaul USA to continue to work with our coalition of concerned citizens to plan the center.”
As part of the planning process, Sandra Guillory, Depaul USA’s Program Director, traveled to Macon on April 26th to lead a community workshop with the Programming Committee to determine the services the center will provide. In May, a representative of New Orleans’ Rebuild Center will make a community presentation on lessons learned in establishing a day center in that city. The Facility Committee is already scouting Macon for a site for the center.
To date, more than 90 volunteers have attended four community meetings to launch the Depaul Macon project. The volunteers have come from numerous civic organizations as well as Macon’s faith community including the city’s three Catholic parishes, First Baptist Church of Christ, the High Street Unitarian Universalist Church, Centenary Methodist Church, and Temple Beth Israel.
Tags: Daughters of Charity, Depaul USA, Homelessness, Macon
