We have received the following request for assistance from a member of the community who is seeking volunteers to be “table captains,” for a free (but fundraising focused) event to educate people about Dorothy’s Place, a local non-profit that provides services to poor and homeless people.   Contact information is at the end of the following explanatory message:

 I’m writing to you this morning because I have an opportunity for faculty at MIIS to get into a stronger relationship with the poor and homeless at Dorothy’s Place.  This is an opportunity coming up that is a relatively easy way to do that, and you won’t even have to leave Monterey!

We’re having a special, fast-paced luncheon event at Montrio Bistro on Tuesday, May 22nd.  “Activating Compassion” is an impact lunch in which we invite volunteer ‘captains’ to invite tables of eight to listen to a program presented during lunch.  We will talk about the core programs at Dorothy’s Place, but will concentrate on our newest – House of Peace, a community of formerly chronically homeless people numbering about 12 that live upstairs at Dorothy’s. They work on their life issues together, and volunteer their time staffing the programs at Dorothy’s. In operation since last May, the program is very successful, having graduated three community members into self-sufficiency (where they rejoined their families) and having taken in four more members.  The problem is that it is new and funded only by discretionary funds received at Dorothy’s, and it really needs a fundraiser to help it.  We’re hoping to raise between $10-20,000 by asking for gifts and pledges at the end of the event.

 The lunch is being donated by Montrio Bistro on Calle Principal in Monterey – they are giving us the entire first floor of the restaurant!  We will have 11 tables of eight to fill, so I’ve been thinking on what the best group of people would be to ask to attend.  We’ve never done this kind of event in Monterey before, so I’m thinking that it’s a perfect time to form better relationships with MIIS and NPS.  Ideally, I would like to recruit half the table captains from each school.  I provide all the administrative necessities – all the table captains do is inform me of their guest list so we can pre-register them and send them a reminder and driving directions.

The program will be very engaging, since it consists primarily of guests of the program speaking from the heart about their experiences and why the program means so much to the evolution of their lives.  It’s not often that ‘mainstream’ people get to have such a personal experience with a person that lives in poverty and was homeless – it’s a valuable hour and a half.  There is no cost to attend the lunch.

 Thanks so very much for taking the time to activate your networks to help the poor.  If you have questions, I can be reached at 831.578.4198.

Jill Allen

Development Director

Franciscan Workers of Junipero Serra

PO Box 2027 (30 Soledad St), Salinas, CA, US 93902-2027

Ph 831.578.4198  Fx 831.757.2173

www.dorothysplace.org