Homelessness is headline news on a daily basis throughout the country, and unfortunately, our community too.
One local organization is tackling homelessness head-on and Dayspring United Methodist Church in Tempe, Arizona is helping. On any given night, UMOM New Day Centers, a non-profit organization originally founded by The United Methodist Church in 1964, provides emergency shelter for 140 families, 130 single women, and 64 youth who might otherwise find themselves sleeping in their cars or on the streets. With a unique and comprehensive approach, UMOM not only provides emergency shelter but also supportive services and help with the transition to affordable housing.
Since nearly the beginning, Dayspring UMC has been a valued UMOM partner. Church members participate in meal service to shelter clients twice a month. Additionally, six Sundays every year, Chuck Winkler, Dayspring UMC’s lead ambassador, organizes, and collects top items needed at UMOM. With a special focus on domestic violence clients, members also collect gift cards and sew quilts and pillowcases to include in the donation.
Many UMOM clients arrive with little to nothing of their own, so receiving these donated items and handmade gifts are a much-needed blessing.
For more information on UMOM and other ways to get involved, please visit www.umom.org.
Sending a heartfelt thank you to all at Dayspring UMC!