Ongoing Social Action Service Opportunities

Interfaith Hospitality Network at Alpha house 

http://www.alphahouse-ihn.org/Home.aspx was founded in 1992 by a group of volunteers, using religious sites to house families, now area congregations rotate into the shelter located on the west side of Ann Arbor,  and provide and serve meals , and on-site support. TBE has been supporting this program since its inception, and one of our members, Roddy Wares was its founder. Also, Susan Greenberg was there at the beginning. The goal of the program is to establish permanent housing for its residents. We host 4 times yearly: August 29-Septmeber 4, December 19-25, March 12-March 18, 2012 and July TBD.  Children ages 10 and older are welcome with a parent. Tasks include cooking, serving, clean-up, and activities with the children. Contact Helena Robinovitz: helena@robinovitz.com. Genesis Collaboration.

Back Door Food Pantry

http://www.backdoorfoodpantry.org/was founded in 2007 by 4 women from St. Clare’s and is located on our own grounds. Funded by St. Clare’s, TBE and Muslim Social Services and in partnership with Food Gatherer’s, it is the only food pantry in Ann Arbor that does not require proof of need and is staffed entirely by volunteers. They provide over 100 bags of food/hygiene items weekly year-round. A selection of jobs includes unloading food, organizing, sorting and distribution. Mondays 12:45-2:30 and Thursdays 3-5, 5-7.  Contact Hal Fischel: hfischel@hughes.net Genesis and Muslim Social Services collaboration

Food Gatherer’s Community Kitchen at the Robert J. Delonis Center

www.foodgatherers.org/ opened in 2003 in downtown Ann Arbor. This is Michigan’s first food rescue program. The Community Kitchen prepares and serves meals 365 days a year. TBE has been supporting this program since the beginning and has a standing commitment to provide 10 volunteers covering 2 shifts, to prepare and serve food. Children over 14 years are welcome with a parent. Volunteers needed every other month, Saturdays 12-2:30 p.m. and 2:30-5 p.m. 2011-2012 schedules:  September 10, November 12, January 14, March 10, May 12, and July 14. Contact Yuni Aaron: yuniaaron@me.com

Shelter Association of Washtenaw County’s Rotating Shelter

http://annarborshelter.org/about involves congregations in the Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti area who open their buildings and provide transportation and overnight shelter for one week periods during the months of November through March.  TBE will be providing on-site volunteers for overnight shifts, refreshments, monetary donations, items for activities, and drivers to/from the Delonis Center. for 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. pick-up’s and drop-off’s. Tentative Dates: Thanksgiving Week 2012. Contact Miriam Shaw: mbs1115@yahoo.com Genesis Collaboration

Mitzvah Day supported by the SAC, has been a TBE tradition since 1998 and involves our entire congregation coming together each spring to offer one day of services, creativity, skills, time and support to a variety of agencies and programs in the area. Past programs have included: assistance at Jewish Family Services, Food Gatherers, area nursing homes, and concentrated services at Alpha House, SOS, and a Habitat for Humanity neighborhood, among others.  Deb Schild debschild@gmail.com This year’s site will be Ozone House, http://ozonehouse.org, a community-based, nonprofit agency that helps young people lead safe, healthy, and productive lives through intensive intervention and prevention services. Since 1969, Ozone House has actively developed unique, high-quality housing and support programs and services that provide support, intervention, training, and assistance to runaway, homeless, and high-risk youth and their families. Through these support services, they help youth develop essential life skills, improve their relationships, and enhance their self-image so that they may realize their full potential for growth and happiness

Emergency and as-needed opportunities: Alpha House and the Delonis Kitchen. Meet emergency needs by maintaining lists of volunteers who they solicit during times of low numbers and special projects. Previous experience in the setting is required to have your name placed on their lists. This is a good opportunity for those who cannot make a regular commitment but want to participate. Contact Social Action program contacts directly for registering.