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REDUCING HOMELESS
HOPE Shelter seeking volunteers
HOPE-use-photo-LT
HOPE Ministries Interim Executive Director Cecily Ballungay, left, and Raymus House night manager Veronica Andrade. - photo by DENNIS WYATT

FAST FACTS

• WHAT: HOPE Ministries shelters

• TO HELP: email CecilyBallungay@HopeMinistriesInc.org or call 239.831.7915

Cecily Ballungay has a plan to reduce the ranks of homeless in Manteca.

But she needs help doing it.

Ballungay is the new interim executive director for HOPE Ministries. The non-profit that secures 90 percent of its $150,000 annual operating budget from Manteca churches, community groups and individuals operates three shelters. One is the HOPE Shelter for homeless families, the other is the Raymus House for  mothers and children, and the third is transitional housing units.

They need volunteers that can work five hours a week, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., to help oversee Raymus House operations on Union Road. Duties would range from working with residents to getting out the ingredients for dinner — such as taking meat out to thaw — that those staying at the house cook.

Volunteers are needed for each day of the week. Ballungay indicated volunteers need to be friendly and interested in helping others succeed.

Ballungay also is looking for volunteer mentors.

Mothers and their children typically stay at Raymus House for two months. During that time they are taught life skills such as money management and are provided various mentoring and counseling services. They also get help at preparing resumes and looking  for employment.

It is why laptop computers and printer that the residents can use to search for jobs and prepare resumes is on the HOPE Ministries wish list.

The needs range from help with making improvements to the kitchen and securing better dining room furniture to keeping the heating and air system in good repair to toiletries.

With a tight budget the donation of items such as a package of Costco toilet paper or even deodorant can go a long way to stretch HOPE resources.

 

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com