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The Voice
October/November 2016
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From the Executive Director
As the holiday season approaches, many of us will sit down with family and friends and reflect upon our many blessings. In this spirit of thankfulness and giving, the National Coalition for the Homeless and the National Student Campaign Against Hunger and Homelessness designate the week prior to Thanksgiving as
National Hunger and Homeless Awareness Week.
In the weeks to come, I will be drafting personal letters to many of our church leaders and faith-based organizations asking for a special collection for the Center and those experiencing homelessness. I ask everyone to take some time this holiday season and think about those who need our help and the impact it has on our community and those we serve.
Together we all can make a difference in the lives of those in greatest need.
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THINKING OF OTHERS
JULIANNE, 11, and her mother, Karen, delivered a bag and basket of "needs list" items for Brisben's residents that included new towels. Julianne generously purchased and donated these items in lieu of her birthday gifts.
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Brisben Joins Realtors at FAAR 2016 Expo
Once again the
Fredericksburg Area Association of Realtors (FAAR) invited Brisben to particpate in its FAAR Expo on September 14. FAAR is a valued Brisben Community Partner in caring for the homeless in our community.
It was great to reconnect and thank the scores of generous and caring Realtors who serve at Brisben throughout the year. FAAR associates provide funding, prepare & serve meals, meet
special needs and complete Center projects. Fredericksburg-area Realtors are amazing!
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Generous Gift Sparks Plan for New Space
Brisben thanks the
Cloe Family, the Cloe Mission Fund, and Ebenezer United Methodist Church for the Cloe Mission Fund's generous one-time gift to the Center.
This gift is being used to begin the redesign and remodel of a current storage space within the Center. It will be converted into a
multi-purpose resident services area that will have a meeting room, workstation space for outside agency representatives and for volunteers offering services to residents, and small offices for use in confidential meetings such as resident intake interviews.
Brisben is seeking a special contributor to further fund this project.
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Brisben Perspectives: Meet David
DAVID is a U.S. Army veteran. He says that Brisben twice provided a safety net for him when his employment disappeared. He also shares his thoughts on being homeless and how he obtained full-time work and his own apartment
Read David's story.
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Huber Employees Serve It Up
HUBER MOTOR CARS employees prepared and served dinner at Brisben on Oct. 3 -- an outstanding meal of homemade lasagna, rolls, bread and side dishes.
A big THANK YOU to all the organizations that have joined our Meal Program.
Read more about the Brisben Meal Program HERE.
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Meet a Volunteer
THIS IS LARRY. He volunteers his time and his car to help residents. Twice a week Larry is at Brisben from 9 am to 3 pm making a huge difference for residents who have doctor appointments, pharmacy needs, job interviews or require a ride to a government agency to conduct business. He's flexible on start and stop times depending on resident needs and accepts no payment.
Interested in helping? Click here to send an email.
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Day of Action
On Sept. 23, Brisben welcomed a team for
Rappahannock United Way's Day of Action.
Volunteers from the City of Fredericksburg -- including Fredericksburg council member at large Matt Kelly -- Quarles, Hildrup Moving and Storage and the City of Fredericksburg/Stafford Light, tackled many tasks.
They worked outside & inside, high & low, and handled an amazing number of projects including staining the patio roof & tables, trimming trees, painting curbs, and cutting grass, as well as serving lunch and cleaning the upper areas of the main common area.
The Brisben Center is a member of Rappahannock United Way. Contributions made to the Combined Federal Campaign can be designated to the Center using CFC #63436.
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Changing Lives with Cars
Compassion Restoration Ministries Car Ministry, operated by a team of dedicated volunteers, helps change lives by providing badly needed cars to Brisben residents, providing a tax deduction to donors, and sharing wise counsel with those regaining their independence.
If you have a car to donate or other skills such as car repair or car cleaning, contact Brisben or CRM car ministry at [email protected]
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NEW Community Partner!
Welcome to Virginia Partners Bank, great people, an outstanding community bank, and Brisben's new Community Partner.
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Planned Giving: Ensure Your Legacy
A planned gift to the Center, such as a simple bequest in a will or trust, helps ensure that the Center and its volunteers can continue serving our community's homeless for many more decades.
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End of Year Financial Facts for Fiscal Year 2016
Brisben served 506 residents including 76 children and 35 veterans, providing 24,794 days of care and bed nights at a very frugal end-of-year average daily cost of $26.63 per resident.
Total expenses for operating the facility 24-hours a day and serving hundreds of residents was $660,339, and was under budget.
Average monthly expenses were $55,000.
With fewer contributions, Brisben experienced an annual budget short fall for the first time in the past three years.
Your contributions October through December can make a huge difference!!
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