Good Samaritan Rescue Mission Topic of Rotary Talk
December 10, 2011
By: Stephen Kent
REMEMBER! - NEW MEETING PLACE
Doubletree Hotel and Conference Center
Dan Streeter
Former Rotarian
Dan Streeter spoke to Rotary about the mission and accomplishments of the
Good Samaritan Rescue Mission (GSRM) in Bay City, division of the City Rescue Mission of Saginaw.
The GSRM facility is located at the south edge of the downtown at 713 9th Street. The building was completely refurbished in 2005 and provides emergency shelter for individuals and families in need. They also provide meals, showers, clothing, and life skill classes.
Streeter extended an open invitation to everyone to visit for a tour of the facility.
GSRM is a faith based organization but does not insist that any client avail themselves of that side of the mission. Food and shelter are the first concern.
Streeter said that people have many reasons for needing shelter services. These include eviction and foreclosure, poverty, illness and disability, breakdown of the family, catastrophic events, substance abuse, and loss of jobs.
A survey taken recently showed that GSRM addresses needs similar to Those nationwide. 83% of those served are single individuals. That is followed by women with children. Most of those are homeless when coming to the mission. 40% were never homeless before that.
More than 2/3 of clients have been in the local area for over six months. The majority stay at GSRM less than 3 months, but almost 20% may stay a year or more.
GSRM holds numerous events for clients and the public. A Radiothon will be held December 20. In 2012 the State Theater will present Free Movie Sundays and ask people to bring non-perishable food donations. In February GSRM will partner with the Saginaw Spirit for a "Hockey for the Homeless" event.
For more information visit the GSRM web site at
www.gsrmbaycity.org.
CLUB NEWS and ANNOUNCEMENTS
Paul Harris brass maquette
Jerome Yantz reminded the club of the statue of
Paul Harris that is planned for Rotary Park at the Pere Marquette Depot. Donations are being received and are well underway. The statue is by the same sculptor who did the statue in front of the Wirt Library. This will be public art but is also anticipated to attract Rotarians who travel through the area.
Dues invoices for the first half of 2011 were mailed recently.
The Club's board change the dues structure to no longer require pre-paying a portion of the meals. Two options are offered: Option 1 calls for payment of dues only. Meals are paid at the door. Option 2 allows pre-payment of the full meal cost must as it is now.
The club met for the first time at the
Doubletree Hotel and Conference Center. Members were reminded that the first meeting of the club was held in 1914 at the
Wenonah Hotel very close to this spot. The majestic Wenonah was only six years old at the time, having been opened in 1908. Several active members remember meeting at the Wenonah before it burned in December 1977.
The
club board meets Tuesday, Dec 13 before the regular meeting.
Everyone is welcome!
NEW MEETING PLACE REMINDER
Doubletree Hotel and Conference Center
First Lunch at the Doubletree
Upcoming Programs
(See the official schedule at
RotaryBayCity.org )
December 6, 2011: Good Samaritan Rescue Mission.
December 13, 2011: 10 Minute Rotarian.
December 20, 2011: Annual Holiday Program!
Rotary is an intimate affiliation of carefully selected business and professional people,
having as its objective the promotion of high ethical standards in private, commercial
and civic life, and dedicated to the ideal that the basis of all worthy endeavor is unselfish service.
Current and past
DISTRICT DISPATCH newsletters are available on the District site shown in the LINKS section below.
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