From Our House to Yours

July 2016
Welcome to those who are receiving the Dorothy Day House eNewsletter for the first time. We hope you enjoy learning a little bit about the daily happenings in the DDH and that the eNewsletter will be a regular reminder of our need for your prayerful and financial support.
Day-by-Day...An Update from Sister Maureen
Homeless Not Hopeless
Life in the Dorothy Day House is pretty much like life in your home. There are meals to cook, clothes to wash, children to soothe, and laughter on a regular basis.  But I think the Dorothy Day House is special because hope lives in this house.
 
Yes, hope that life will soon be better...hope that the new job will work out...hope that the children will feel safe and secure...hope that tomorrow will bring good news...hope that an old debt will finally be put to rest...hope that overwhelming stress and anxiety will fade away.
 
And we rejoice when that hope comes to fruition.  What a joy it is to see a young parent begin to feel confident about his budgeting skills.  What smiles erupt when the date is set for a family to move to their own apartment.  What pride there is when a driver's license is restored and when a dream of a better education comes into view.
 
Hope is what the Dorothy Day House is all about. We cannot make our families wealthy, we cannot make the struggles of life simple for them, we cannot make them immune to ordinary family traumas.  What we can do is give them hope.  Hope that gives them the courage to work for a better tomorrow.  Hope that supports them when disappointment comes their way.  Hope that sweeps homelessness out of their lives forever.
 
Thanks to all who help  nourish hope in the DDH by your presence or by your donations.  You are changing lives through hope!
News Brief
Rotary Club of Memphis Honors Many DDH Volunteers
Rotary Club of Memphis
The Rotary Club of Memphis honored five members with the Paul Harris Fellows Recognition. This award has been used historically by the President of the Rotary Club of Memphis to recognize outstanding Rotarians who have contributed significantly to the purpose and aims of Rotary International, and more specifically the local Club.

We know that these members are active in many community service projects, but we are grateful for their service to plan and host Cafe du Memphis, the spring fundraiser that benefits the Dorothy Day House. Rotary Club President, Betty Sue McGarvey presented the awards throughout July. Thank you to all for your service to the entire Memphis community!

Pictured top left to right (Bill Falvey, Betty Sue McGarvey Michael Synk)

Pictured bottom left to right (Betty Sue McGarvey, Bud Richey, Bonnie Walker, and Christine Pascus)
The Shift is Happening
DDH Logo
As we have mentioned several times in our newsletters, we are beginning  the shift to our new logo.  Soon you will see it on our letterhead, envelopes and brochures.  
 
Another shift that is happening is that we are now beginning to use our new email addresses.   Our old email addresses will continue to work for a time, but we hope you will start using our new ones right away:
 
Sr. Maureen Griner -  [email protected]
Tracy Burgess -  [email protected]

School is in Session...Let's Send Students Prepared
School is in Session
Our thanks to all those who have contributed school supplies to the Dorothy Day House.  We are providing supplies for our resident children and also for a large number of children who have lived in the DDH in years past.
 
We are still accepting donations and have a special need for:
  • Magic Markers
  • Notebook paper (wide ruled)
  • Composition books
  • Memory sticks
  • Folders
  • 12" Rulers
  • Pencils
  • Sharpie pens
  • Highlighters
Memorial Gifts
We are grateful to those families who designate the Dorothy Day House as their charity of choice for gifts in memory of a deceased loved one. We have recently received a number of gifts in memory of Mary T. Zinselmeyer (St. Louis, MO) and Riley Higgins (Memphis).  Please keep them and their families in your prayers.
 
We hope that you will remember the Dorothy Day House when you are choosing a charity for any memorial gift or honorarium.  We will be happy to notify the family or the honoree of your gift to us.
New Ministry Team Members
We are happy to announce that Tracy and Josh Burgess have recently joined the DDH Ministry Team. This team consists of individuals who  embrace the vision of Dorothy Day and are committed to assisting the Executive Director in ministering directly to our families.  We are grateful that Tracy and Josh are willing to share their wonderful talents, their faith and their compassion for the poor with us.  Other current members of the Ministry team are Judy and Paul Gray, Michael Kauffman, Peggy Steffan and Sr. Margaret Ann Zinselmeyer.
Upcoming Events
Lunch and Learn

Each last Tuesday of the month, we host a "Lunch and Learn event. It is an opportunity for people who are unfamiliar with the DDHH to hear about our ministry to homeless families, tour the house, and enjoy a free lunch. Our next Lunch and Learn is Tuesday, August 30th.

 

Please contact Lea Carr at 901-232-2421 if you or someone you know would like to attend. 
Sunday at Six

"Sunday at Six" is a casual opportunity for volunteers to serve at the DDHH. This ministry was formed by prayer, and we feel it is essential to provide an occasion where we can come together and express our compassion and concern for issues affecting our community.

 

We gather with volunteers, board members, donors, DDHH families, and friends at 6:00pm. We pray around 6:20 and then enjoy a dessert that is brought by a volunteer. The evening wraps up around 7pm.

 

Come as you are, bring a friend, bring your family, and children are welcome. If you would like to volunteer to bring dessert for a future date, please sign up online here or contact  Tracy Burgess at 901-726-6760.
Monday Night Meals

Each Monday, the Dorothy Day House has a family supper provided by individuals, families, or small groups. Volunteers have an opportunity to provide a simple meal and hopefully join us to enjoy time around the dining room table.

 

If you are interested in volunteering for a future date, please sign up online here  or contact Tracy Burgess at 901-726-6760.
From the Teachings of Dorothy Day
Dorothy Day


"We do what we can. We must always aim for the impossible; if we lower our goal, we also diminish our effort."

~ Dorothy Day to Robert Ellsberg

Ways to Stay Involved
Current Needs List
donation_jar_give.jpg
  • Forever Stamps
  • Kroger gift cards
  • First Aid supplies
  • White copy paper
  • Desk staplers
  • Heavy 9" paper plates
  • Gallon food storage bags
  • Aluminum foil
Our Mission

Rooted in the tradition of the Gospels and inspired by the vision and passion of Dorothy Day and the Catholic Worker Movement, the Dorothy Day House of Hospitality provides temporary housing and support services for homeless families in Memphis, TN. Working with other local agencies, staff members and volunteers provide families in need with a safe environment and the means to re-establish their independence. All guests are welcomed as Christ with no discrimination.
Our Board
 
Alison Powers
Chair of the Board
  • Lea Carr
  • Barbara Higgins
  • Pierre Landaiche
  • Larry McBride
  • Mike McCormick
  • Karen McManus
  • Brenda Solomito Basar
  • Lauren Squires Ready
  • Michael Synk
  • Carol Walker
Our Ministry Team
  
Sr. Maureen Griner
Executive Director
  • Joshua  Burgess
  • Tracy Burgess
  • Judy Gray
  • Paul Gray
  • Michael T. Kauffman
  • Peggy Steffan
  • Sr. Margaret Ann Zinselmeyer
     
Tracy Burgess
Director of Development and  Communications
 
Sr. Margaret Ann Zinselmeyer
Bookkeeper

 


PO Box 40269 | Memphis, TN  38174 | 901-726-6760 | www.dorothydaymemphis.org
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