All work together to give a single man the path to a stable productive life.

Congregations for the Homeless Welcomes Job Developer!

Congregations for the Homeless Welcomes Job Developer! CFH is excited to welcome Alex Maxim as the newly hired half time Job Developer/ Employer Liaison. Over the last year, Alex has graciously volunteered with CFH as both a Life Coach and grant writer and will now use his wide range of skills to place CFH residents in jobs. Alex says, "I am passionate about placing people in jobs and breaking the cycle of unemployment and homelessness. Employment is key to breaking the cycle of homelessness and increasing the men's self-confidence and personal esteem".

Alex is in what he calls the third phase of his career and has also worked as an architect and in IT. When away from the non-profit world he enjoys riding his bike, playing music, and walking his dog. We are very blessed that he has decided to devote his life to helping the homeless and look forward to his successful leadership and development of the CFH Employment Program. Alex can use the help of volunteers for employment preparation and assistance with our weekly employment workshop. Please contact Alex at sagemaxim-at-gmail-dot-com or 206-766-0090 if you want to assist with this exciting and valuable new program.

Don’t Forget to Mark Your Calendar!

The third annual Congregations for the Homeless Fundraiser Luncheon is in the works. Mark your calendar today, so you won't miss it! It will be held on September 20, 2012, from 11:30-1:00 at First Presbyterian Church of Bellevue. There will be a catered lunch, speakers, and a chance to hear what CFH has accomplished in the past year.

Plan to attend, and bring friends and colleagues who want to make a difference moving men on the Eastside from homelessness to independent living!

2011 Results

2011 was a tough year for a lot of people, and we hear many stories from the men in Congregations for the Homeless. But those tough times were met with results. We were able to serve 123 men, provide 11,087 bednights, and 33,261 meals. A total of 3900 volunteers from 12 host churches and 31 support congregations made it all possible. We provided 4348 case management sessions, 23 nurse visits, and 324 dental procedures. 38 men attended our Bible studies, we found jobs for 25 men, and we were able to place 67 men in stable housing, which is 70% of the men who left the shelter. From the beginning of our housing program in 2006, 319 men have left life on the streets for permanent housing. One man at a time, we are making a difference.

There is more work to be done. 96 men were turned away because the shelter was full. The Eastside Winter Shelter is near or over capacity every night, and the One Night Count found 73 homeless on the Eastside, in addition to Tent City 4. Our plans for 2012 include the addition of an Employment Counselor, an additional Case Manager, and additional Life Coaches.

It takes all of us to this important work, and we offer our sincere thanks to everyone who served the men in one of the churches, or contributed food, blankets, or funds. Your gifts make a real difference. The numbers reflect our success, and energize us to do more in the coming year.

Working Miracles

Dear friends, thank you for believing in the vital work of Congregations for the Homeless. Without your support we wouldn't be able to continue to provide shelter, case management and stable housing for homeless men on the eastside. Together we are making a difference: since 2006 we have moved 300 men from homelessness to housing. Our program is working and we are proud to report that 73% of the men in the shelter leave with stable housing.

We would like to share what one of the men recently shared with us. It really touched our hearts:

"Hopefully this note will be made available to all the people involved with the CFH program, because CFH works real life miracles.

When I first came to CFH in mid-April 2011 I was very ill. I had been receiving treatment for hepatitis C for about 5 months and had been living through the winter in a tent. I had been assaulted, roughed up more than a little and my campsite was destroyed. CFH was able to get me into the shelter within a week. This act alone likely may have saved my life at the time. It is hard to fully express just how thankful I am of the CFH family.

I have recently moved into a wonderful CFH subsidized one bedroom apartment in Bellevue close to the hospital and doctor. It feels like home and it looks like home. At the end of the day I am still seriously ill and am considered terminal. But I have been given back my dignity and hope; I won't die alone in the woods, homeless.

If there is hope now, it is because once again the CFH organization has intervened in my behalf and has enrolled me in their private subsidy program. In a short time they really have done for me what some wait years for. And so hopefully I can find some recovery here, at home. For the first time in three years I feel secure and safe in my new home.

The people involved with CFH volunteer so much time and individual assets. These are historically tough times for so many. Donated funds, time, sundry items, clothing and the like are so valuable to a varied group of homeless men who are being rewarded by their participation and privilege of association with CFH.

This program is funded by donations from a wide variety of sources. But there is a need for so much more because things will get worse before they get better for our country. There are so many now that genuinely need help, never before so much demand. Supporters of CFH are vitally needed and greatly appreciated."

Your support has made stories like Vincent's possible. In the hope that comes with each new year and in the spirit of the holiday, your year-end gift would help the hundreds of others who seek a warm, safe place to sleep, medical and dental assistance, ongoing case management and employment assistance. Your gift is the gift of greater self sufficiency and hope and would make sure that we can help more men like Vincent.  Donate now!

A Night Under the Big Top
by Stacey Witte

A few weeks back I was checking my voice mail when I heard a lady's voice, with a distinctly French accent, asking if our organization would like some tickets for the Cavalia show in the coming week. I quickly called her back and found out that they had tickets for everyone who wanted to go. After a flurry of calls, emails, and text messages we had 40 people who wanted to go, and a couple nights later cars were loaded and the men, along with some of their children, were ready for a show.

The show was absolutely spectacular. They absolutely loved it. Some of the men acted like children who were entering a carnival for the first time. It was truly magical. Thank you Cavalia for offering the tickets to our organization, and thank you to all the case managers and volunteers who helped transport the men to the show. What a night and a show to remember for the ages!

Fundraising Luncheon Highlights
by Stacey Witte

A heartfelt thank you to all of you who participated in our second annual fundraiser; whether you attended the event, donated, helped or kept us in your prayers, it is with gratitude that I take this opportunity to express our appreciation.

The CFH event on October 4 was a day to be proud of. I am pleased to report that when I arrived to set up at 8 AM there were 9 men from the shelter waiting to help set up the venue. I was so touched that so many men were willing to express their gratitude for CFH by helping set up, greet, and clean up on the day of our event.

It was wonderful to see so many of our long-time donors, and it was a pleasant surprise to welcome new supporters. A total of 225 committed men and women joined our team in welcoming our speaker, Bill Grace. It was the perfect time to share our new video and our vision for CFH's future. Sterling Bentsen made a repeat appearance as emcee, and all were welcomed by Executive Director, Steve Roberts.

With careful planning and donations from community, we were able to keep the event's expenses to a minimum ($4,500.00) plus the cost of the video. To date, the event has raised $40,000, a 14% increase over last year.

First Presbyterian welcomed all of us and provided an incredible venue for the day's event. Our signature box lunch was provided by Pomegranate Bistro and Lisa Dupar catering. Thanks to the many volunteers that assisted in the planning and coordinating, the day was a huge success.