a place of restoration and hope

 

After much anticipation, we’re super excited to be bringing back our SATURDAY NIGHT OUT WITH GUEST CHEFS!!!!

This month’s S.N.O. is sponsored by Friendly City Co-op and Sysco foods along with our guest chef, Randi B Hagi!!

  

 

 

 

 

From Lisa Schick, Chair, OCP Board of Directors

The Board of Directors is pleased to announce that after conducting a search and meeting with multiple candidates, we have hired a new executive director. 
 
Matt Tibbles, MA is an organizational development and conflict transformation leader with experience working in multi-ethnic for-profit businesses, higher education, government, religious, and non-profit organizations, co-creating and implementing development strategies with a specialization in community and organizational well-being. Matt’s personal motto is “why not.” Living into this motto has led Matt to live and work alongside communities and organizations across the United States and internationally.
 
Matt started as OCP’s new Executive Director on July 1st. We welcome Matt and look forward to his leadership in the coming years as OCP continues to meet needs in our community, in partnership with other organizations, and with the tremendous support of our donors!

 

                       

                        

                                                                                                                    Our Stance on Racism

                                                                                                               (Board approved statements)

Our Community Place believes in treating all people with dignity and respect. We therefore oppose discrimination in any form against all human beings. OCP holds itself to these standards, engaging in ongoing self-examination and training in our effort to operate as an inclusive, antiracist organization, dedicated to building a safe and loving community of restoration and hope for all.

 

OCP board and staff members drafted the statement below in response to the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and other African Americans, and the consequent movement calling for racial justice in 2020.

As a direct impact of the national and global focus on police violence and anti-Black racism, Our goal is working internally to learn how we can operate as an anti-racist organization. Our board and staff are engaging in ongoing, and often difficult dialogues, and engaging outside assistance to support us in our journey. It is our desire to become more aware and aligned with the Black Lives Matter movement so we can become more effective as an agent of change in our community. 

OCP Opens New Apartments 

Friday June 23, 2023 at 3pm OCP “cut the ribbon” for two brand new efficiency units at 50 Reservoir St.

OCP purchased the building in 2021 with the assistance of “social housing investors” who made donations and low-interest, long-term loans so OCP could buy and renovate a small apartment building. In 2022 OCP obtained a grant for $118,000 from the Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission to buildout the unfinished basement into two new efficiency apartments. OCP just completed this work and will celebrate with the public ribbon cutting. “We are so excited about this finally happening after years of work,” said Tim Cummings, OCP’s housing specialist and project manager.
    

The apartment building’s purpose is to house people who are homeless and hard to place in the private market due to barriers and personal challenges. OCP will provide supportive case management over the long-term to help people maintain their housing. Being owner, property manager, and case manager all in one, allows OCP to identify people in need, place those folks into housing despite many barriers, and then help them stay housed and not return to homelessness.

“I’m tickled to death to have one of my clients getting housing here,” said Amanda Morris, an OCP case manager. “It’s been so hard to find him a place, and because of his age and physical conditions he just can’t live on the street anymore.”

See WHSV TV’s news story on OCP’s new housing: https://www.whsv.com/2023/06/21/our-community-place-opening-two-efficiency-apartments/

July Fourth “Lawn Jam” Tuesday July 4th 
July 4th community meal and fun!  Sponsored again this year by Holloway Roofing, it was a LOT of fun with music, free food, haircuts, free bikes, prizes, games, and much more! Join us again next year to celebrate community, Independence Day, hope, and love. See you there !!!
    

 

 

 

Uncommon Needs:
  • Chefs willing to sign up for future Night Out restaurants and create a tasty 4 course meal for 50 customers who donate the proceeds to OCP.
  • People who like to play games—chess, UNO, horse shoes, corn hole, throw a football—anything to get our community members interacting and moving (come by Mondays or Wednesday or Thursdays 9-11am).
  • People to join us for lunch at noon on Mondays and Wednesdays—sit and mix with our homeless community members, engage them in conversation, give a kind word and brighten their day, ask them about their lives and their realities.
  • Customers for Friday Lunch Restaurant each Friday from 11:30-1:30—support our weekly fundraiser for OCP and enjoy a delicious meal at the same time!
Common daily needs:
  • Supplies like laundry detergent, paper towels, toilet paper, hand soap bars, large shampoo containers (not small individual sizes), coffee, sugar, milk, eggs, meats, 13 gallon and 55 gallon trash bags, tents, sleeping bags.
 

VIBRANIUM & RODIUM SPONSORS

     Gaines Group Architects

     Matchbox Realty

PALLADIUM SPONSORS 

     JZ Engineering

     LD&B Insurance and Financial Services

     Colman Engineering

 

 

TITANIUM SPONSORS

     Blauch Brothers, Inc.

     Friendly City Food Coop

     Park View Federal Credit Union

     Allstate

     Evermore Construction

     Herr Construction

     Dynamic Aviation

     Harrisonburg Electric Commission

     Design Concrete Builders

     Frazier Quarry

GOLD SPONSORS

     Weaver’s Flooring America

     Everence Foundation

     Flora Pettit Law Offices

     Sam’s Construction

     BrydgeWorks Glass Studio

     Grassroots Landscaping

SILVER SPONSORS

     Boboko Cafe

     Cavalier

     Blue Ridge Hearing Center

     Beachy Arehart CPA’s

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Vaccinations finally come to OCP!

Vaccinations finally come to OCP!

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Community Partner Spotlight: The Suitcase Clinic

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Volunteer of the Month re-cap: Kevin “Spider” Waters

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Heart of Gold and Determination of Steel

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Friday Lunch Restaurant (FLR)

OCP’s weekly fundraiser restaurant, job training program, and opportunity for our Community Members to volunteer.

Every Friday 11:30 – 1:30 dine-in or carry out. You can order online through our website: www.OurCommunityPlace.org or call the Community Center to order: 540-208-7552.

Bring your family, friends, or work colleagues for a tasty meal with drink and dessert. $10 plus donation “tip” of your choice.