Friday, April 27, 2012 Congratulations, Volunteers!
Congratulations and a HUGE thanks to many of our special volunteers who were recognized last evening at the United Way of the Capital Region's Volunteer Of The Year 2012 Awards Ceremony.
Special thanks to Janice Ruhl, Elizabeth Schwartz and Ellie Miller (absent, our prayers are with you!)--our Community Room Renovation Team--who were recognized in the group category for their work transforming our community room. The impact continues to warm our ministry, our participants and our guests. Here are Janice (center left) and Elizabeth (center right) at the awards ceremony April 26, 2012 with Jill Snyder (Highmark) and Joe Capita (United Way).
Also honored in the group category were our Childcare and Youth Mentoring Volunteers, who have--consistently week-in and week-out--developed meaningful relationships with the youth in our programs over many years. Thank you for loving and caring for our youth!
Long-time maintenance volunteer Jerry Stouffer was honored on the Adult Volunteer category for his dedicated years of service, but was unable to attend.
Here is video of the above groups receiving their awards from Valerie Pritchett of WHTM Channel 27 and Heidi Neuhaus of the United Way:
I just got back from a lunch presentation to the staff at Nationwide Insurance in Harrisburg. They hosted me along with Crystal Baxter, our Program Director, and Cyndi Tolsma and Jan Wessell, our Mentoring Coordinators, for lunch and allowed us to share the opportunities to connect with homeless families through our Bagwashi Circles Mentoring Program.
Six new volunteers signed up, and a bunch of other interest was generated in what we do. We are thrilled with the response from this community focused business. Thanks, Nationwide!
We'd love to have you ride with us May 12 at the 2012 Spring Thaw Bike Tour. You can register up until May 12, but new this year is the availability of a customized cycling jersey for riders who register early. We must place the order this week, so the deadline to guarantee your cycling jersey is TODAY, April 5 at 12 midnight. Hurry!
Thursday, April 05, 2012 Diener House Progress Update
The renovation of the Diener House is moving full steam ahead. Yesterday we hosted a group of Ray Diener's friends from Elizabethtown Church of the Brethren to work on interior framing. We are soon ready for HVAC, plumbing and electrical contractors.
If you would like to help with volunteer labor or donated materials, contact Michael Palson, Diener House Project Manager, at (845) 742-6073. It will be a busy spring and summer as we complete the Diener House...join us!
Below, volunteers from Elizabethtown Church of the Brethren work on interior framing projects in 203 1/2 Hummel Street--The Diener House:
Wednesday, April 04, 2012 Mandated Reporter Training - April 14
Brethren Housing Association and Harrisburg Brethren in Christ Church are partnering with PA Family Support Alliance to present:
Training for Mandated Reporters of Child Abuse
Date:
April 14, 2012
Time:
9:30am - 12:30pm
Where:
Harrisburg Brethren in Christ Church 2217 Derry Street Harrisburg, PA 17104
The training will cover the following topics:
Review the elements of child abuse
Legal definitions of a child, perpetrator, and categories and indicators of abuse.
Overview of mandated reporting obligations, including how to make a report, protections for those who report, and the liability for failing to report.
If interested in attending please contact Crystal Baxter, BHA Program Director at (717) 233-6016 or cbaxter@bha-pa.org. Please register by April 9 as seating is limited.
We are excited to welcome our newest staff member, Case Manager Marilyn Bellesfield. Marilyn's role is to assist the families in our programs to develop and achieve life changing goals surrounding employment, education, parenting, relationships, health, and housing--all geared toward strengthening the families stability and self-sufficiency. Marilyn has a B.A. in Family Studies from Messiah College and 22 years of experience serving homeless families in the local human service community. Marilyn, her husband Mark, and their three children live in Etters, PA and attend Wyndamere Heights Evangelical Congregational Church. Welcome to the BHA family, Marilyn!
Work Day @ BHA Sat., June 8*
8:30am-3pm 20/20 Challenge Brass Concert and Dinner @ Ridgeway Community Church of the Brethren Sun., June 23
5:30pm Light Meal followed by Concert BHA Day at the Harrisburg Senators Wed., Aug. 7
7pm Game Time Get Details8th Annual Ministry Celebration Event: Reception and Auction Tuesday Oct. 29
6pm
Sheraton Harrisburg Hershey
* Dates and times of workdays are subject to change. If you plan to attend, please RSVP to Dennis Saylor, our Property Manager, at 717.233.6016 or dsaylor@bha-pa.org to confirm work day is continuing as planned.
We are excited to welcome our newest staff member, Case Manager Marilyn Bellesfield. Marilyn's role is to assist the families in our programs to develop and achieve life changing goals surrounding employment, education, parenting, relationships, health, and housing--all geared toward strengthening the families stability and self-sufficiency. Marilyn has a B.A. in Family Studies from Messiah College and 22 years of experience serving homeless families in the local human service community. Marilyn, her husband Mark, and their three children live in Etters, PA and attend 
