Needs of those without permanent shelter, which run from shelter to personal care products to reading, are being met by the community in varying degrees. Our Community Place plays a role where possible in helping to meet these needs, often filling in where the rest of the community has yet to focus on an issue, but often duplicating services in its own way. More can always be done across the board, and especially in certain areas, the level of service usually reliant on the degree of communal giving.
Our Community Shelters
The main providers of unrestricted temporary shelter (meaning men can also stay there) in the Harrisonburg area are The Salvation Army (185 Ashby Avenue, 540/434-4854) and the Harrisonburg and Rockingham Thermal Shelter (HARTS) program (540/578-3868 for the office or -3869 for after 6:30pm at the shelter, revolving churches week-to-week). The Salvation Army provides shelter throughout the year, with a background check (certain offenses may disqualify you for a bed for the night). The HARTS program helps those who cannot find shelter through other programs, but only during the cold months for now (the2008/2009 schedule runs November 17 to March 30). This schedule may expand in future years.
When HARTS is not running, Our Community Place has made its lawn (and shed) available to those who want to rought it, and have tents and sleeping bags. This policy has come under review, though, and no decision has yet been reached as to provision of this space in upcoming years.
Providers of temporary shelter for women and families include First Step (129 Franklin Street, 540/434-0295) and The Mercy House (247 N. High Street, 540/432-1812).
Our Community Feasts
Our community feasts all year long, every day of the week; so much that no one need go hungry even as much as a single meal. If a meal is not being prepared here, for breakfast, lunch, or dinner (the latter not certain every day of the week), you can always grab some leftovers or fix yourself something from our pantry. We continue to welcome all the generous donations of food that continue to make this seeming largesse on our part possible. Those who might wish to help with any of the fixings of meals that go on here should check out our plug-in page.
Free public meals are offered throughout the week in the Harrisonburg area (see resource guide).
Our Community Clothes
We receive clothing donations throughout the year which are now organized in what is called the Free Store. JMU students drop by periodically to straighten and add to this collection of clean and mended clothing. Admittedly carrying far more items for women, though males make up the majority share of homelessness everywhere, continuing donations ensure that both genders are being adequately served.
Stop on by and see if we’ve got something for you, or bring your old clothes for communal distribution.
Free clothes closets are offered throughout the week in the Harrisonburg area (see resource guide).
Our Community Works
Our Community Works (OCW) is a non-profit subsidiary of Our Community Place (OCP) that exists to provide good and meaningful work for our community members.
Our Community Works’ vision is to provide work and training for those in our community suffering from occupational challenges. Through our work together we hope to deepen the self-worth of the participants, creating a rhythm of community and work which gives a chance for healing in life-inhibiting patterns. A large portion of the pay for the work will go towards a housing voucher, to supply a basic need within the community.
Our Community Works is a piece of the puzzle of the OCP’s efforts to create a space for reforming lives and teaching community well-being. Our hope is to create a culture where people through different handles will be able to find the healing and affirmation to encourage personal growth and self-awareness.
For more information about participating in this program, please call OCP on 540/442-7727 or send an e-mail to ourcommunityplace@gmail.com. Or you can contact OCW directly on 540/435-2977 andocpworks@gmail.com.
We also receive a daily local newspaper which includes job notices, and we have the people (and computers) who can help with online job searches and job applications.
Our Community Phones
After a long experiment with letting the community use the staff phone, we’ve finally switched off tomagicJack, an inexpensive internet-based phone system. We pay $20 for the device, and $20 per year for all the use you want (in the U.S.). After a few niggly problems getting it set up, and getting used to it, we can say we’re now having many positive experiences with it. Thanks to the community for using this phone solely, incoming and outgoing, and for leaving voice messages when you’re unable to reach a live person. They will be checked soon enough, and the information will be relayed to the appropriate party.
Community phone number: 540/324-7107. You do need to call the “540″ even if you’re local, as it appears to be a Staunton number (limited magicJack service in region?).
Our Community Rides
From time-to-time members of the community have a need to get somewhere or carry something. Often the request falls to us, relying on our drivers licences, vehicles, and giving hearts. We usually can accomodate the odd request, but we cannot offer a taxi service (please call 540/434-2515). Usually community members are kind enough to help with gas and understand they cannot be too demanding–we generally have competing needs for the drivers and automobiles. We do have public bus route schedules on our bulletin boards, and ways to get the information online. Discounted bus tickets can be purchased through the Transit Office located at 475 E. Washington St., or from any transit driver. Rates, effective July 1, 2003, are . .
- Adult passengers [book of 25/ $20.00]
- Students/Senior Citizens/Disabled [book of 25/ $10.00]
We strongly promote the use of the Blue Ridge Community College shuttle which for fifty cents can take you from JMU to Waynesboro, and points in between such as Dayton, Bridgewater, Weyer’s Cave, Verona, Staunton, and the Augusta Medical Center.
Everyday Bikes is a community bike service operating out of a shed on OCP grounds. Open from about 10:30am to 2:30pm every Monday, during warm weather, their aim is to get you a bike. You may have to work a little for one, like help them fix it up or help with the garden or grounds, but one way or another you’ll get a working bicycle to help you get around town.
Other needs . .
Homeless people have had a great need for secured storage. Sixteen storage units have recently been constructed on Our Community Place property, with the meticulous skill of German cabinetry-making. Use arrangements for these secure spaces are being worked out right now for availability to the community shortly. Hygiene needs can be met through churches participating in the HARTS program, through the kind-hearted provision of showers by OCP “family” members, and by taking membership in the Harrisonburg “rec center”, otherwise known as The Cecil F. Gilkerson Community Activities Center. Located in Westover Park at Dogwood Drive and W. Market, its fees are extremely reasonable ($15 for a year), and it offers showers and various recreational (and educational) opportunities.