March 2018 Newsletter
We are very excited to be the benefactors for the 9th Annual “Run the DoG Street” 5k race! Each year, athletes from all over Virginia gather to run for a great cause. This year, these runners and our local donors will aim to raise $30,000 for Williamsburg House of Mercy!
These donations will come at a particularly impactful time. As we enter into the summer months, our food needs will increase as hungry children are home from school. Our homeless day shelter will receive new guests as the summer temperatures force people to seek shelter and hydration. The needs of our neighbors continue throughout all seasons—even after the holidays.
In light of this, we plan to use the $30,000 to expand the following pillars of our operations:
- Mercy Housing: Assessment and Coordination of Care is the starting point for anyone who is homeless and in need of shelter, case management, and supportive services. The ultimate goal of our homeless services program is to help clients achieve self-sufficiency and obtain permanent housing, oftentimes beginning with welcoming people at The Harbor, our homeless day shelter.
- Food Stability: Monthly Mobile Food Pantry and Emergency Food Pantry services for the local families and individuals who are hungry.
- Hope Pregnancy Care Center: We offer the following confidential services, free of charge: pregnancy tests, counseling, ultrasound referrals, prenatal care referrals, adoption referral and counseling, post-abortive healing and counseling, plus assistance through Healthy Families and Baby Care with baby gear, clothing, and other ongoing resources.
- Community Outreach and Financial Services: Our Financial Assistance Program assists individuals and families in the Greater Williamsburg area who, without our assistance, would become homeless. We assist with rent and utilities, and provide supportive services to assist program participants to become stable in the short term and successful in the years beyond.
- Regional Diaper Bank: As a regional diaper bank location, we are able to provide diapers, feminine hygiene products, and incontinence supplies. Many of these items are not covered under programs like SNAP. By providing them, our diaper bank is able to meet our community’s family, women, and elderly needs in a unique way.
- New Journey Re-entry Support Services: We offer services for recent releasees from Virginia Peninsula Regional Jail to re-enter and re-establish themselves in the community.
More details are on our Services page.
How can I help?
- Run the DoG Street 5k on Saturday, April 21st. Direct donations and more race information at: https://runsignup.com/whom
- Donate to our next parish second collection on Sunday, April 8th
- Ask your employer to become a corporate sponsor for one of our programs.
