A Non- Profit Organization New Beginnings Nov/Dec 2013

HP “HELPING OTHERS HELP THEMSELVES”

GCS Staff Bob Williams Honor Card 2013 Executive Director Charles Young (See Order Form and Details Inside) Operations Manager Brittany Pinkham Administrative Assistant “FALL INTO ME” Debra Edwards Emergency Shelter Case Manager Tonette Latham Housing Services Coordinator

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Officers

Adam Bowen, President Jim Naves, Vice President Shante Carson, Past President Duane Holder, Treasurer Rev. Moses Perez, Secretary Board Members Margaret Dixon Todd Fraley Dr. Mark Pabst Tina Dixon When life knocks us off our feet, we don’t have to be frustrated. With God’s Kelli Pack-Smith strength lifting us up, we can still stand strong. So often that hand up comes through the efforts of volunteers at churches, shelters, and other outreach Dr. Tim Reeder agencies. God works through many of his faithful to be the hands of Christ to Joan Wynn those that need an encouraging smile and assistance. Dr. Josh Duke Thank goodness there is someone that is always there for us no matter what we may be going through……..William Mangum. Dr. David Lusk Dr. Ronald Perkin Barry Dixon Donald Woodcock Page 2

Christmas Giving Opportunity

GCS is putting together holiday gift bags for the adults residing in the shelter at Christmas time. Donations are currently being accepted

for the following items:

Scarves Gloves Socks

Sweaters

Undergarments

Backpacks/satchels

Blankets Feminine products Shower shoes Pocket Tissues Greenville Community Shelter is partnering with several local Pocket Calendars churches rather than sponsoring “Club Rudolph” as we have in the past. A Christmas Village Toy Store will provide a “hands up” for Pocket notebooks Pitt County Families who want to purchase affordable toys and gifts for their children at Christmas. Rather than simply giving a handout of toys and gifts to at-risk and homeless families, we be- Hand sanitizer lieve in empowering families to purchase Christmas gifts either at a greatly reduced rate or with in-kind services. Mints and gum We will be accepting toys and other gifts for the children that are in Nail manicuring kits the shelter and in our permanent supportive housing programs. However, we want everyone to know that these gifts will be made a Puzzle books part of the consolidated effort to empower people and bring dignity and self-worth back to these people’s lives. Razors For more information, please contact the Shelter.

Deodorant

Shampoo Small gifts such as playing cards

Nov/Dec 2013 Page 3

From the Executive Director It has been just over one year since I arrived at the Shelter. It has been an overwhelming endeavor to say the least...BUT, a far more rewarding experience than I could have ever imagined. Each day I remind myself of how much my predecessors invested in both time and passion in something they truly believed in. I can now, after a year, understand how they must have felt each day when they came here to help those in need. None of us at the Shelter can do what we do without the support and kindness from the communi- ty. I could fill this entire newsletter with thanks to those that I have met over the past year who un- selfishly give of themselves so that those that are less fortunate might get a “hand-up.” I have made many new friends and have revitalized some old relationships these past twelve months. Your support, kindness and honesty have meant a lot to me. I want to personally thank each and every one of you that have helped this past year, whether you are the sweet lady that comes every month to donate what she can or you are the local ministry that helps keep our doors open. I thank you from the bottom of my heart with upmost sincerity. Bob

We want to thank Eastern North Carolinas CW and WNCT-TV, 9 On Your Side for their partnership this past year. They have helped us spread the word about how im- portant our work is to the community and to those that we help. Thank you for having a positive impact on our community.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY

EVENING MEAL AND BREAKFAST OPENINGS Frist of all, let us say that thank you to everyone who makes and serves the evening meals and weekend breakfasts. Without your help our residents would not be afforded such a wonderful supper or breakfast. We have volunteer opportunities for the following evening meals and breakfasts:

3rd Wednesday supper

1st Wednesday supper on odd months

3rd Tuesday supper on even months 2nd Sunday breakfast

4th Sunday breakfast 5th Sunday breakfast

5th Saturday breakfast

Page 4 OUR COMMUNITY

Operation InAsMuch: This is a one work-day event where members of various churches come together and work in the community. We want to thank these hard working volunteers for helping us pressure wash the front of this beautiful build- ing.

Diamond’s (Healthcare) National Service Week was held October 14 – 18, 2013. The event gave the staff of Diamond Healthcare the op- portunity to spend a volunteer day giving back to the communities they serve. The local Diamond staff who work with Vidant Health's Behavioral Health programs in Greenville and Macclesfield came out to help us spruce up GCS with some painting. The Diamond Day of Service team of Cindy Thomas, Program Director, Vidant Edgecombe Hospi- tal; Timothy Livengood, Outreach Manager, Vidant Edgecombe /; and Glenn Simpson, Ad- ministrator of Behavioral Health, Vidant Medical Center spent their day painting our conference room.

The Residents and Staff of Cypress Glen collected much needed supplies for the Shelter. On behalf of the Board of Directors, staff and residents of the Greenville Community Shelter, we express our gratitude. Their unselfishness and generosity will help many people who are truly in need. It is a pleasure to help those in need when we know that there are people such as these folks who understand the plight of others and are willing to unconditionally help them. Thank you for your time, effort and compassion Cypress Glen. Nov/Dec 2013 Page 5

Making the Season a Little Brighter for Those in Our Community

Thank you in advance for helping with our new community initiative, Christmas Village Toy Store. All of us at the Shelter are very excited to be a part of such a wonderful collaborative effort. Please help us make this a success by giving to those less fortunate in our community.

GCS is also accepting donations of Christmas hams and or turkeys for residents in our Solid Ground/Stable Solutions Permanent Supportive Housing Programs.

Calling all volunteers!! Once again the Shelter plans to offer a Christmas buffet to residents on Decem- ber 25th at 1:00 p.m. Volunteers are needed to provide food, layout and serve the buffet, and clean up afterward. We ask that food volunteers bring food between 11a.m. and 1 p.m. ready to serve on Christ- mas day. We ask that serving volunteers be able to make a 2-hour commitment (either 11a.m.—1 p.m.; 12 p.m.—2 p.m.; OR 1 p.m.—3 p.m. Please contact Brittany Pinkham in the Shelter office with questions, or to sign-up to participate. Thanks for helping make Christmas a special day for our residents!

NEW STAFF MEMBER

GCS Wish List Care Needs Rite-Aid/Walgreens/CVS gift cards to purchase medications for residents Clorox Bleach Toilet Tissue Styrofoam: Cups & Bowls We are very pleased to announce our new staff member, Tonette Latham. Tonette will be working with our Permanent Supportive Laundry Detergent Housing program. Tonette currently resides in Aurora, NC. Ton- ette has a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and a Master’s degree Paper Towels in Psychology. She has had experience working with both adults and children whom were diagnosed with intellectual, physical Towels & Wash Cloths and developmental disabilities, in settings such as group homes, day treatment, within the school system, at their homes or in the Aluminum Foil community. She also has experience working with mentally ill Extra Large Garbage Bags adults. When asked why she wanted to work with the Greenville Community Shelter, she said “My interest in working for Green- Blankets (gently used) ville Community Shelter came from an individual passion to as- sist others in becoming more self-sufficient and to increase Bar soap knowledge/skills which are essential to function in today’s socie- ty.” Tonette’s long range goal is to further her education by ob- Dish liquid taining her Doctorate in Applied Behavioral Analysis. Welcome to our Family Tonette! Cleaning Supplies Feminine Products PageVolume 6 1, Issue 1 Page 6

Greenville Community Shelters, Inc. Return Service Requested Non Profit Org. 207 Manhattan Ave. U.S. Postage Paid P.O. Box 687

Greenville, NC 27835 Greenville, NC 27834

Primary Business Address Address Line 2

The mission of the Greenville Community Shelters is to serve the poor and homeless in a continuum of care from basic shelter to prevention that empow-

Thank you to these community partners who support the work of Greenville Community Shelters: United Way of Pitt County and Vidant Medical Center Foundation. THANK YOU WILLIAM MANGUM FOR ALL THAT YOU DO FOR THOSE THAT ARE LESS FORTUANTE

The Honor Card by William Mangum celebrates 25 fruitful years, the addition of three new distribution cities and the release of a compelling new book

UPDATED: September 10, 2013 June 6, 2013 (Greensboro, NC) For 25 years watercolor artist William Mangum has been a hands-on advocate for the needs of the homeless, donating his artistic skills and publishing gifts to make The Honor Card program one of the most well run and leveraged charitable programs in the country. Inspired by a chance meeting between an artist and a homeless man, The Honor Card program has raised nearly $4,500,000 to support homeless agencies in cities across .

The inspiration behind the 25th Honor Card, “Fall Into Me” Ours is a world that perpetuates a belief in self-fulfillment, the ability to make yourself happy and complete through your own efforts. Or as Joseph Kennedy the father of our 35th President, John F Kennedy said: “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” But each day can be challenging. One moment, we are on top of the world fulfilling every dream we pos- sibly could have, and then, suddenly, we stumble with disappointment. The reality of failure begins to taunt us, making us question if there is anything worth looking forward to. We are a society that measures and compares ourselves against one another. There is a tendency to feel better about ourselves when our particular situation isn’t as dire as someone else’s. “Thank God that’s not me!” is a regretful statement many of us have uttered under our breath as we look upon the plight of others suffering a hardship. So often, we set ourselves apart from those suffering without realizing that in a second we could be in their shoes.

Sometimes, the unexpected upsets our routine, and we are knocked off-balance. Perhaps it’s bad news about our job be- ing eliminated, or disturbing test results from our doctor. It may even be an attack from our spiritual enemy. In each case, our emotional equilibrium is hammered, and we feel as if we can’t stand. Those moments should cause us to turn to God. When we feel we are losing our balance, He can help. When life knocks us off our feet, we don’t have to be frustrated. With God’s strength lifting us up, we can still stand strong. So often that hand up comes through the efforts of volunteers at churches, shelters, and other outreach agencies. God works through many of his faithful to be the hands of Christ to those that need an encouraging smile and assistance. Thank goodness there is someone that is always there for us no matter what we may be going through. HAPPY THANKSGIVING

A recent study by Harvard Business School faculty and graduate students titled “Feeling Good about Giving: The Benefits (and Costs) of Self-Interested Charitable Behavior," explores the ways in which charitable behavior can lead to benefits for the giver. While the concept that giving to others can make you feel good about yourself is not revolutionary, there are several more subtle ways that giving your money or time for a cause can benefit your psy- chological, spiritual and emotional well-being. Here are 5 reasons: Donations are tax deductible: When you donate to a charitable organization or a non-profit group, the amount you donate is tax deductible. But not only is the money you give tax deductible, so are the amounts you spend on travel, parking costs and even convention and event fees that are related to the non-profit group, as long as you are not being reimbursed by the charity for these expenses. Giving to charity may improve your sense of well-being: The act of helping others can create an improved sense of well-being. Knowing that you sacrificed something such as time, finances or property in order to help others in need can give you a sense of purpose in life or work and inner satisfaction. Supporting a cause can help keep you informed about issues of social injustice: When considering donating to a charity, many people tend to research the issues connected to that organization. As a result, you become more educated about social injus- tices around the world. You may discover new points of view and opinions on topics about which you were previously uni- formed. This knowledge may position you to help increase the awareness of social problems among those in your sphere of influence from a balanced and educated standpoint. Giving to charity out of spiritual conviction can strengthen your spiritual life: Selfless giving is a key component to many spiritu- al and religious belief systems. Recognizing that you have taken action in line with your spiritual beliefs by offering your re- sources to others in need can bring a sense of inner peace and contentment. Volunteering with a charity may result in physical and social benefits: After donating financially to a charity or non-profit organi- zation, you may feel an inner pull to become more involved with the cause by donating your time and skill as well. By volunteer- ing, you have the opportunity to build your social circles while reaping the physical, mental and spiritual benefits from the labor you contribute to your favorite cause.