October 14, 2009
Dear Friends,
I want to thank you for your interest in helping serve the homeless and start a program that will help assist people in moving from homelessness to finding permanent residence and employment. Currently, for lack of a better title, we are calling this program The Center for Self-Sufficiency that is to be administered by the Broome County Council of Churches.
The program will house individuals in partnering Churches throughout Broome County. During the summer we attended a meeting with VISIONS in Wilkes-Barre, PA, a similar program to the one we are proposing, and sent out information and letters on the program. We asked for you to take the program to your governing councils and mission committees to find out your level of interest in the project.
Many congregations requested additional information, and we put together fact sheets outlining the responsibilities of the congregations that house the mobile shelter and the responsibilities of the Broome County Council of Churches in hiring, securing insurance, and hiring the team that will implement and develop the program. If you are interested in receiving that information again, please contact us at the Council and we will send it to you.
Presently, I am in the process of securing funding from HUD through an Emergency Shelter Grant that is due on October 29. What I need from you are letters supporting the Center for Self Sufficiency that specifies how your congregation will support this initiative. If you will act as a host site, please indicate that. If you have money to give to the program, or if you gave money to the program as some have done, please indicate that. If you are willing to help serve meals or provide support services, please indicate that.
Whatever you are willing to do in support of the project needs to be documented and put into the packet of information that will be sent to the Planning Department for consideration. The date when the final proposal is due is October 29, so I will need your congregation’s letter of support no later that October 22.
I apologize for the short turnaround, but I was not aware of what needed to be included in the proposal until yesterday at the meeting in the City Council Chambers. Thank you for your support. I look forward to your replies.
Peace and towels,
Rev. Dr. Joseph Sellepack
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
ESG Funding and Block Grant
Joe Sellepack attended a meeting at the City Council Chamber Yesterday to find out how to apply for ESG Entitlement Funding from HUD and to apply for Block Grants to the City of Binghamton. The meetings were fairly fruitful and he has the information on how to apply for the funding. Some of the Block Grant funding that we may be able to apply for is summer community food programs that benefit residents of Binghamton like we did this past year at West Presbyterian. Additionally they may be used if we had a wheelchair ramp being built in Binghamton City Limits. The funds correspond to the calendar year.
ESG funding is for programs for homeless people in our community: including shelther, food, legal help, job counseling, etc. These funds are managed by the city for HUD and are available on Feb. 1 and run to Jan the following year.
Applications for both of these funding sources can be found at www.cityofbinghamton.com Go to the planning department, then look for a Blue Link on the Right hand side for an application for Emergency Shelter Grants (ESG) or Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). Applications are due at 5:00 on October 29. They were very insistent on keeping that deadline.
ESG funding is for programs for homeless people in our community: including shelther, food, legal help, job counseling, etc. These funds are managed by the city for HUD and are available on Feb. 1 and run to Jan the following year.
Applications for both of these funding sources can be found at www.cityofbinghamton.com Go to the planning department, then look for a Blue Link on the Right hand side for an application for Emergency Shelter Grants (ESG) or Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). Applications are due at 5:00 on October 29. They were very insistent on keeping that deadline.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Facebook Entry about Apple Picking
Broome County Council of Churches Faith in Action Volunteers Program Well, they wouldn't let us pick. Too windy I guess. That didn't stop us from bring home pounds of apples. Apple sauce, apple turnovers, apple pie, all healthy of course. You have to go outta of your way to make homemade as bad as the store ...bought. From the farm to the kitchen to the belly. Yes, sir!
Facebook Entry about the CHOW Walk
The Broome County Council of Churches CHOW Walk for Hunger this weekend. Sunday, October 18 at BU campus. Come and enjoy.......bring donations for CHOW, walk the walk, eat the food, enjoy the entertainment, hang with friends, make new friends......it's all great!
Facebook Entry about the Last Ramp
The Broome County Council of Churches Check out this final ramp of 09. Great job, folks. Thanks to all who supported this program in so many ways this summer.
CHOW article in pressconnects.com
October 12, 2009
CHOW to hold annual Hunger Walk
The Community Hunger Outreach Warehouse will hold its 27th annual Hunger Walk Sunday behind Binghamton University’s East Gym.
CHOW since has pledge envelopes available for volunteer walkers, who can pick them up at the Broome County Council of Churches, located at 3 Otseningo St. in Binghamton, through Friday. Call (607) 724-9130 for more information.
Registration on the day of the walk will begin at 1 p.m. The 2.5-mile walk around campus will begin at 2 p.m. The event also features food, entertainment and children’s activities. Anyone who collects at least $50 will receive a free t-shirt.
CHOW to hold annual Hunger Walk
The Community Hunger Outreach Warehouse will hold its 27th annual Hunger Walk Sunday behind Binghamton University’s East Gym.
CHOW since has pledge envelopes available for volunteer walkers, who can pick them up at the Broome County Council of Churches, located at 3 Otseningo St. in Binghamton, through Friday. Call (607) 724-9130 for more information.
Registration on the day of the walk will begin at 1 p.m. The 2.5-mile walk around campus will begin at 2 p.m. The event also features food, entertainment and children’s activities. Anyone who collects at least $50 will receive a free t-shirt.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Jail Ministry Volunteer in Obituary
This gives us a chance to reflect on the volunteers still with us and to thank them for the work they do for the Council.
Leon C. Vosburg
1919-2009
Wrestled on Earth
With all that sin;
Confident in
Christ Jesus,
Heaven to win!
As you read this,
Jesus is calling you near;
Cry out to Him
Who can save you
from great fear (Hell)!
Come to Jesus,
Come to Jesus!
Believe in
His Saving Power;
Come to Jesus -
the son of God,
Your Creator; Redeemer;
Source for forgiveness
for all your sins!
Come to Jesus!
Then meet me in Heaven
On "your
Graduation day"!
Leon leaves behind a large family of fellow believers in Jesus at Faith Bible Church; some at Oxford Veterans' Home too; daughter, June (Forrest) Smith, VA; 3 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren; nieces, Harriet (Robert) Bennett, FL, Doris Burgett, PA; nephews, Vernice (Roseann) Statts, PA, Raymond (Louise) Statts, PA.
Celebration Memorial Services will be held at Faith Bible Church (formerly Faith Baptist), 1807 Hawleyton Road, Binghamton, NY on Saturday, October 10, 2009, at 11 a.m. with Pastor John Treischmann officiating. Friends may call at the church from 10 - 11 a.m. Donations may be made to Faith Bible Church. God Bless You!
2010 Budget .... Schedule
For those affected, please remember that Program Budgets are due by 10/20/09....
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Upcoming CHOW Events
- Disney on Ice - Dec 17, 18,19,20 - $3 off ticket price for a donation of food to CHOW. Barrels with be at the Arena. There will be 4 family 4 pack givewayws at the Hunger Walk and the Craft Fair.
- Craft Fair - BU West Gym. Nov 28
- Johnny Hart Book Sale at the Mall - Book Title "I DID IT HIS WAY" - comic strips with religious themes. The book will be on sale from Nov 27 until the books run out at the mall.
- Canadian Pacific Railroad HOLIDAY TRAIN - Nov 28 8:30 - 9:15
- Choruses for CHOW - Dec 5 at 2 pm - Sarah Jane Mem Church
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Obituary 10-6-09 with Donations towards CHOW
Grace Derick
formerly of Endicott
Grace Derick, age 88, formerly of Endicott, NY, passed away on October 5, 2009 at the Vestal Nursing Home where she had resided for the past several years. Grace was born on April 27, 1921 and spent her childhood years in Maine, NY. She was predeceased by her husband, Robert Derick; parents, Stephen and Magdalena Kupkovich; sister, Helen Kupkovich; and brothers, Joseph, Stephen, Frank and John Kupkovich. She is survived by her sister, Mildred Denton of Endicott, NY, and other family members including her niece, Patricia Chodun and spouse, Sid Chodun of Endicott, NY; niece, Sandra Sage and spouse, Robert Sage of Austin, TX; and nephew, Ray Denton of New York, NY. Grace was loving, thoughtful and caring to the members of her family and especially to her many great-nieces and great-nephews.
Her family will receive friends at the Coleman and Daniels Funeral Home at 300 E. Main Street, Endicott, NY on Wednesday, October 7, from 11 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. A funeral service will follow at 12:00 p.m. with the Rev. Susan Davis officiating. Burial will follow in Riverhurst Cemetery, Endicott, NY. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Community Hunger Outreach Warehouse (C.H.O.W.) at 3 Otseningo St., Binghamton, NY 13903.
Published in Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin on October 6, 2009
formerly of Endicott
Grace Derick, age 88, formerly of Endicott, NY, passed away on October 5, 2009 at the Vestal Nursing Home where she had resided for the past several years. Grace was born on April 27, 1921 and spent her childhood years in Maine, NY. She was predeceased by her husband, Robert Derick; parents, Stephen and Magdalena Kupkovich; sister, Helen Kupkovich; and brothers, Joseph, Stephen, Frank and John Kupkovich. She is survived by her sister, Mildred Denton of Endicott, NY, and other family members including her niece, Patricia Chodun and spouse, Sid Chodun of Endicott, NY; niece, Sandra Sage and spouse, Robert Sage of Austin, TX; and nephew, Ray Denton of New York, NY. Grace was loving, thoughtful and caring to the members of her family and especially to her many great-nieces and great-nephews.
Her family will receive friends at the Coleman and Daniels Funeral Home at 300 E. Main Street, Endicott, NY on Wednesday, October 7, from 11 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. A funeral service will follow at 12:00 p.m. with the Rev. Susan Davis officiating. Burial will follow in Riverhurst Cemetery, Endicott, NY. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Community Hunger Outreach Warehouse (C.H.O.W.) at 3 Otseningo St., Binghamton, NY 13903.
Published in Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin on October 6, 2009
Monday, October 5, 2009
Donations paid out to victims' families, survivors of Binghamton ACA shooting
October 2, 2009
Donations paid out to victims' families, survivors of Binghamton ACA shooting
By Nancy Dooling
ndooling@gannett.com
Six months after the April 3 massacre at the American Civic Association, local charities began paying out donations from the remaining $150,000 raised to help families of victims and survivors.
The roughly 60 payments work out to an average of about $2,500 each, but under the weighted system used by the charities, those who lost more will get more, said Alan Hertel, executive director of United Way of Broome County.
A committee of charity officials and other agencies decided how best to parcel out the money, Hertel said.
Family members of victims and survivors were not consulted in the process, and a list of who received money -- and how much -- was not made public.
"We needed to remain as neutral as possible," Hertel said. "We have to treat every family as equally as possible."
A month ago, Hertel said approximately $270,000 had been collected; of that, $70,000 was spent in the days after April 3 on expenses not covered by other aid. Costs included emergency rent payments to victims who lost the family breadwinner and food for families of immigrants who traveled to Binghamton for funerals.
At that time, Hertel said about $200,000 remained to be distributed to survivors. However, he said additional bills came due since then and were paid.
Some families already have decided what to do with their share of the money.
David Marsland, who lost his wife, Hong Xiu Mao in the April 3 massacre, will likely donate what he receives to needier families victimized, he said.
The family of Roberta "Bobbie" King will either donate the money to a scholarship fund in their mother's name at Binghamton High School or give it to local fundraising efforts to build a memorial park in Binghamton.
"Either the scholarship or the park would be appropriate," said Dr. Jeffrey King, one of Bobbie King's 10 children.
Under the payout, the two children of Marie and Marc Bernard, who were orphaned April 3 when both parents were killed, will get more than the survivors who were trapped for hours in the building while police searched for a gunman, said Hertel, who declined to list the names and amounts people received, citing privacy concerns.
Not all of the $150,000 was distributed Friday, Hertel said.
Thirteen victims died at the hands of gunman Jiverly Wong, 41, a Vietnamese immigrant. Wong killed 11 adult English students, their teacher (King) and caseworker Maria Zobniw.
Four others were seriously wounded before Wong turned one of his handguns on himself.
People and organizations began writing checks and hosting fundraisers in the days and weeks after April 3. Catholic Charities of Broome County collected the lion's share, with donations totaling $200,000. The Broome County Council of Churches collected about $50,000. The Islamic Organization of the Southern Tier collected about $8,000. United Way collected less than $5,000, Hertel said.
Those charities joined together to decide how to distribute the money. Other agencies involved include Binghamton's Crime Victims Assistance Center, Broome County Department of Social Services, the ACA and the Broome County Bar Association.
Deciding how much money to give families and survivors was a challenge, Hertel said.
Officials looked at whether children were involved, at losses of family breadwinners, and examined the on-going medical or housing needs of survivors when making decisions about how much money each person would receive.
Several legal issues are involved with giving money to victims who returned to their homelands after April 3. Those issues are now being resolved by attorneys and federal agencies, Hertel said.
People entitled to a payout were contacted this week and had to provide identification before receiving any money, Hertel said.
Money that isn't claimed in the next 30 days will be donated to the ACA, Hertel said.
Donations paid out to victims' families, survivors of Binghamton ACA shooting
By Nancy Dooling
ndooling@gannett.com
Six months after the April 3 massacre at the American Civic Association, local charities began paying out donations from the remaining $150,000 raised to help families of victims and survivors.
The roughly 60 payments work out to an average of about $2,500 each, but under the weighted system used by the charities, those who lost more will get more, said Alan Hertel, executive director of United Way of Broome County.
A committee of charity officials and other agencies decided how best to parcel out the money, Hertel said.
Family members of victims and survivors were not consulted in the process, and a list of who received money -- and how much -- was not made public.
"We needed to remain as neutral as possible," Hertel said. "We have to treat every family as equally as possible."
A month ago, Hertel said approximately $270,000 had been collected; of that, $70,000 was spent in the days after April 3 on expenses not covered by other aid. Costs included emergency rent payments to victims who lost the family breadwinner and food for families of immigrants who traveled to Binghamton for funerals.
At that time, Hertel said about $200,000 remained to be distributed to survivors. However, he said additional bills came due since then and were paid.
Some families already have decided what to do with their share of the money.
David Marsland, who lost his wife, Hong Xiu Mao in the April 3 massacre, will likely donate what he receives to needier families victimized, he said.
The family of Roberta "Bobbie" King will either donate the money to a scholarship fund in their mother's name at Binghamton High School or give it to local fundraising efforts to build a memorial park in Binghamton.
"Either the scholarship or the park would be appropriate," said Dr. Jeffrey King, one of Bobbie King's 10 children.
Under the payout, the two children of Marie and Marc Bernard, who were orphaned April 3 when both parents were killed, will get more than the survivors who were trapped for hours in the building while police searched for a gunman, said Hertel, who declined to list the names and amounts people received, citing privacy concerns.
Not all of the $150,000 was distributed Friday, Hertel said.
Thirteen victims died at the hands of gunman Jiverly Wong, 41, a Vietnamese immigrant. Wong killed 11 adult English students, their teacher (King) and caseworker Maria Zobniw.
Four others were seriously wounded before Wong turned one of his handguns on himself.
People and organizations began writing checks and hosting fundraisers in the days and weeks after April 3. Catholic Charities of Broome County collected the lion's share, with donations totaling $200,000. The Broome County Council of Churches collected about $50,000. The Islamic Organization of the Southern Tier collected about $8,000. United Way collected less than $5,000, Hertel said.
Those charities joined together to decide how to distribute the money. Other agencies involved include Binghamton's Crime Victims Assistance Center, Broome County Department of Social Services, the ACA and the Broome County Bar Association.
Deciding how much money to give families and survivors was a challenge, Hertel said.
Officials looked at whether children were involved, at losses of family breadwinners, and examined the on-going medical or housing needs of survivors when making decisions about how much money each person would receive.
Several legal issues are involved with giving money to victims who returned to their homelands after April 3. Those issues are now being resolved by attorneys and federal agencies, Hertel said.
People entitled to a payout were contacted this week and had to provide identification before receiving any money, Hertel said.
Money that isn't claimed in the next 30 days will be donated to the ACA, Hertel said.
Friday, October 2, 2009
2009 Thanksgiving Food Distribution
This is a blast that went out today:
We need help from the non-Catholic Congregations for the Thanksgiving Food Distribution.
Over the past years the Catholic Parishes have distributed Thanksgiving Food Baskets to the local poor. This has become overwhelming over the past couple of years.
If your congregation is will to help out, please call Kathy Pfaffenbach, 723-4563
Sign up for the baskets will be on October 19, 20, 21, noon - 6 pm at St Mary's Recreation Center on Hawley St in Binghamton
For more information call Kathy at 723-4563 or Ed Blaine at 723-9130 x331
Time Allocation
Some staff at the Council have been asked to fill out a Time Allocation document. This document will give a better view on where we spend our time and talents here at the Council. All general and all CHOW employees have been asked to fill out the 15 min allotments.
Please see Greg with any questions.
Please see Greg with any questions.
Powerful Tools for Caregivers Classes
The Broome County Council of Churches is co-sponsoring this class for caregivers. The classes will be here at the Council every Tuesday from October 13 until November 17 from 1:30 pm - 4:00 pm. The classes will take place in the small office next to Greg's (that Zachary used to be in). If you have any other questions, please ask Joanne.
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