Conversation Club met recently at the Ohio Living Cape May Campus. The 12 members and two guests answered roll call by telling what their Thanksgiving plans are.
The president thanked the days hostesses, Eleanor Harris and Jeanette Gerritz.
Katie Terrell presented the program on the Hope House. She began by reading an interview of Tammy Berry that appeared in a book titled “Faithful Witness in a Fractured World” by Michael Snarr.
Tammy was raised in a Christian home. She became curious about her own Christianity as she grew older. She began a quest to be a servant to those in need.
In 2014 she founded Hope House in Wilmington. It is a volunteer mission that provides emergency overnight housing for homeless women and children. They are provided kindness, a warm bed, meals, a shower and laundry services.
The locations have changed through the years — they now are the proud owners of their own facility, an ideal location to serve their guests. The facility is a low-barrier, non-judging service operated entirely by volunteers.
Katie shared what their guests are often experiencing in their lives, including abuse, financial hardships, mental issues and drug addiction. They do no background checks. The two volunteers on duty each night greet guest and require that they store all of their possessions for the evening. They are allowed to keep a phone and perhaps cigarettes.
They are given the opportunity to shower and given clean pajamas. If they would like a snack, that is provided. Each guest is provided a clean safe bed to sleep in. The volunteers do their laundry while the guest sleeps.
The facility is open from 9:30 p.m. to 7 a.m. Wake-up is at 6 a.m. and they are given breakfast, their clean clothes and stored possessions. The facility received a grant, but relies on donations of time, supplies and money.
The Dec. 14 meeting will be held at Cape May. Hostesses will be Suzanne Madison, Jeanette Gerritz and Vicki Wilson.
