Where did September go?

The other day my assistant Maren Kurtz, who manages our web site among a host of other things, came into my office asking me; "Will you please post something on your blog soon." Of course I thought; "What? It's only been a few weeks!" A few weeks? - more like 8 weeks.

What's been going on for the last 8 weeks at Cherry Street Mission Ministries? Here's a sampling:

Monroe Street Facility

• Our Gift in Kind operations moved to the Madison Street facility to make room for additional beds for men this winter
• Last year during the winter, our high water mark for men staying over night was 167 which meant that more than 50 guys were sleeping on the floor.
• This year, we've moved some walls, bought some beds and will start the winter season with 152 beds and 40 emergency mats - our hope is that we will have enough this year.
• Plans are being made to move our administrative offices from the second floor of the Monroe Street facility some time in January so that Larry Robinson (Men's Director) can utilize all three floors.
• Welcome to Charles Allen who has taken over for Matthew Clapp as the Men's Ministries Lead Case Manager.
  
• The Northwest Ohio Dental mobile van comes once a month to our Monroe Street parking lot and offers free dental services.
  

Sparrow's Nest

• We are looking for a new Director for the Sparrow's Nest - wait a minute, what happened to Avis Files? (you might be asking)
  
• We're happy to announce that Avis has accepted a promotion to be the Program Director for Cherry Street - so the answer is; "She's still here."
  
• Kazonte Miller has become the new Lead Case Manager for the Sparrow's Nest taking over for Yolanda Bailey who has accepted a promotion to be the Director of the Community Services department.
  

Madison Street Facility

• Yvette Hall, our Food Services Director, continues to operate excellently as her team of staff and volunteers turn out more than 750 meals a day at two different locations.
• The team is gearing up for Thanksgiving where we plan on serving close to 700 wonderfully prepared and served turkey dinners.
• Dave Moore has signed on from the Men's Ministries to be our very first Information and Referral Case Manager. Dave's responsibilities are to connect our guests to community wide services.
  
• We have completely updated and remodeled the Medical Clinic at this location. The clinic now has three exam rooms and an office with nursing and chiropractic services offered three times a week.

Whew!

We've been busy. If you haven't come for a tour lately, give us a call at 419-242-5141 and ask for Yolanda Bailey at extension 241.

Dan Rogers