The Upper Room of Erie, a Homeless Shelter
Attention Teachers!
The Upper Room has produced a 25 minute video, "Portraits of Homelessness" which presents four homeless or formerly homeless men telling their story, and a study guide for young people: School, church, etc. If you would like a copy of this program and a discussion guide, contact us at uredirector at gmail.com.
Easter Dinner
Tammy Young with her father, husband, and children, serve an Easter Sunday meal of ham, sweet potatoes, green beans and brownies at St. Paul's United Church of Christ. From Christ Methodist Church, they are part of a multi-church and school effort to provide a hot meal every Sunday afternoon in cooperation with the Upper Room of Erie. They do a great job, and we thank them on behalf of the hundreds of people they have served over the last several years.
Hope Song
I'm no dope, no, I'm no dope.
I'm smelly and I'm dirty, But I'm no dope.
My clothes are pretty ragged, and my beard's a joke.
I may not have a home, but I've still got hope.
My eyes woke up this morning , tho' my brain did not.
I was dreaming of my bedroom, when I was a tot.
Then my mom came in to kiss me, and she smiled a lot.
But the shelter worker woke me saying "fold your cot"
There's coffee at McDonalds, but it costs a buck.
So I'm headed to a shelter, and my new friend Chuck.
And together we'll hit the streets to try our luck
Maybe find some donuts softer than a hockey puck.
And when the day is ended, and the sun goes down
I dream of what my life will be when it turns around..
And somehow I'll find the strength to leave this town.
Then I'll start my life all over with the strength I've found
I'm no dope, no I'm no dope.
I'm smelly and I'm dirty, but I'm no dope.
My clothes are pretty ragged, and my beard's a joke.
I may not have a home, but I've still got hope.
....anon
The Upper Room of Erie names André Horton Operations manager.
André Horton, Well known Erie civil rights activist, was named to this new position at the organization's January board Meeting. André brings a wide variety of experience and skills to this new post. Tom Schlaudecker, founder and Director, will remain in this position.
He is a veteran of 7½ years of duty with the Air Force and has also served as a Pennsylvania Highway Patrolman. He has been employed by the City of Erie as a construction worker for over twenty years.
Mr Horton was considered uniquely qualified for his new position with the Upper Room. Born and raised in Erie, he is known as a key figure in Erie, having served as president of the local NAACP for over 3 years. He also serves this community as an assistant minister at Abundant Life Ministries and is involved in many other important initiatives.
Said Tom Schlaudecker, "we welcome André and believe that he will bring fresh ideas and energy to our ministry which has been serving downtown Erie for almost seventeen years. We are extremely fortunate to find such an outstanding person for this important new role." Among his duties will be staff recruitment and training, facility management, and community outreach.
Celebration of Christmas 2012
Early Christmas Day guests were greeted by shelter-made cookies, oranges, hot chocolate and fresh-cut poinsettias.
Santa's youngest elf presents the first of 100 gift bags including gloves, socks and McDonald's coupons.
The first of over 300 shelter-made cookies come out of the oven during the day-long project.
"Blizzard of Blankets" is a success
Our annual "Blizzard of Blankets" project was conducted Nov 24, 2012 at the gazebo in Perry Square. Eighty donors provided blankets, winter clothing and hundreds of dollars.
Director Tom Schlaudecker summarized with: "Its been a good day. We also gained a potential volunteer or two."
National Homelessness Awareness Week Photo Essay
"Portraits of Homelessness" is an annual photo essay project at the Upper Room held in conjunction with National Homelessness Awareness Week. Our fourth event was held Nov 10, 2012 through Nov 18, 2012.
The purpose of this photo project is to provide a way for homeless people to look at the way they live and to show the rest of us, what that their life is like; to give us an insight into their living experience through their eyes, as they live it.
The project photos are now on display at the Upper Room. Our friends, neighbors and supporters are encouraged to visit the Upper Room and view our work. The instructions and judging were coordinated by Chris Millette, Erie Times News.
Todd Crowley In Concert Nov 16, 2012
Dear friend of the Upper Room:
To show our appreciation for your interest in our web site, we offer a performance by Todd Crowley, a entertainer with a world-wide reputation as a folk singer and autoharpist in the tradition of Pete Seeger and Woody Guthrie. Todd is, in his words "a folkie, not a rocker or bluesman or singer-songwriter. I sing and play folksongs, old and new. I play an autoharp, which lets me keep the instrumental part of the song simple, so the words and poetry take center stage." You'll also see some of his famous "musical instrument petting zoo."
Client Hears Again
Visitors to the Upper Room can expect hospitality, but sometimes they get more. Mark had been coming to the shelter for years with the usual problems. But a few weeks ago he came with a challenge that we couldn't resist. For several years he had been suffering from a major hearing loss from an infection but was so negative about his loss and the "system" in general, that he refused all offers of assistance. Last month he suddenly changed his mind. He agreed to see a hearing specialist.
As luck would have it, we discovered that his problem was covered by a modest health insurance policy he had acquired some time ago. A few phone calls by shelter staff, a free hearing test to confirm his problem, (and of course the unavoidable waiting), and he was back in the hearing world.
Despite his doubts, the system worked, and Mark is now the happy owner of two brand new hearing aids...and a years supply of batteries. The social isolation he had been enduring is now ended. Although he still faces major health challenges, we hope this will mark a turnaround in his life. It sure makes us feel good.
It's amazing what a few telephone calls can sometimes do. We never know until we try.
Erie Community Foundation presents check
Mike Batchelor, Erie Community Foundation, prersents a check for $2102.44 to Tom Schlaudecker of the Upper Room of Erie at the recent presentation ceremony at the Erie zoo.Representatives from the over 280 non-profit organizations in in the Erie area received checks totalling $1,227,803 as their share of contributions made over the internet during the one-day "Erie Gives" campaign. Over four thousand donors, including GE and the Erie Community foundation, participated.