PACEM: A way to give locally to those in dire need
‘Tis the season to be enthralled with lights, gift shopping, and the hustle-bustle of the holidays.
With virtually all major religions observed in our culture celebrating holidays this time of year, it’s easy to get swept up in it all. I usually balance out the swooning and head-spinning by reminding myself that some people in our community have little joy this time of year; for some, especially the homeless, it is no doubt a time of great distress, with days growing short and nightime temperatures often literally cold enough to kill.
It’s a huge problem to wrap your head around. If you are wondering if there is a way you might be able to help locally, here’s some information about a wonderful group:
PACEM (People And Congregations Engaged in Ministry) is an interfaith collaboration of congregations in Charlottesville that helps people find shelter at night, especially during the cold winter months. Through PACEM local congregations take turns hosting men and women who have nowhere else to sleep at night. Meals are included, and some churches will provide access to showers and laundry. We also have an emergency lodging program and individual support available for families. If you or someone you know needs our assistance, come to our PACEM Intake Site and we’ll do what we can to help.
Through the combined efforts of 36 local congregations (Protestant, Catholic, Jewish, Muslim, Unitarian, and more) and dozens of community organizations and local businesses, PACEM provided 3,805 nights of shelter or lodging to 159 homeless individuals last winter.
PACEM opened for the season on November 11, 2006.
Donations:
PACEM, P.O. Box 14, Charlottesville, Virginia 22902
PACEM is a 501 (c)(3) charitable organization and donations are tax-deductible.
