September 2024
Prefer the print version? Click here
SCROLL TO READ THIS MONTH'S STORIES
Hope Renewed
Donor's Corner
Tee Up for Amazing Deals
Thanks for Asking
Caught in the Act
Outerknown Adds VIP Event
Volunteer Spotlight
Tours Update
Serving Team Calendar
Memorials
Current Needs
A 24-Hour Day of Giving
HOPE RENEWED: Emergency Housing Solutions for San Diego’s Vulnerable
BY OUTREACH STAFF
A wave of relief has washed over our community as the Brother Benno Foundation received a significant influx of temporary funding from the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP). EFSP is a FEMA-funded program. This vital support directly addressed the urgent housing needs of San Diego’s homeless and working poor families by providing emergency housing vouchers, move-in assistance, and crucial rental and utility aid.
In under two months, the Brother Benno Outreach Hub used over $170,000.00 of this money before the funding was exhausted. We assisted over 85 households with rental, utility, and move-in assistance. We also provided 94 nights of transitional motel vouchers to ten households.
Among those who have recently benefited from our services is a Hawaiian couple tragically displaced by last year's devastating fires. Seeking refuge and a fresh start, they found their way to Oceanside, where our foundation was able to provide them with emergency housing and much-needed move-in assistance. Their story underscores the critical importance of our work, especially during times of unforeseen crisis.
This temporary funding, while a tremendous blessing, highlights the ongoing need for sustainable solutions to address homelessness in our community. It also serves as a powerful reminder of the generosity and commitment of our regular donors, whose unwavering support allows us to continue serving those in need even when outside funding is scarce.
To our donors, we extend our deepest gratitude. Your contributions make a tangible difference in the lives of countless individuals and families, offering them hope, stability, and a chance to rebuild their lives. Your compassion and generosity are the bedrock of our foundation, enabling us to respond to the ever-present housing crisis in San Diego and especially in our North County area.
As we celebrate this temporary funding and the positive impact it has had, we remain dedicated to advocating for long-term solutions to homelessness. Together with our community, we envision a future where everyone has a safe and stable place to call home.
Yours in Service, Outreach Staff
DONOR'S CORNER
Dear Friends, Supporters, and Donors of Brother Benno’s,
It has been a hot summer and so I’ve received a lot of positive feedback from our guests about keeping the showers open five days a week. I have to admit, it can get sauna-like near the showers, but they are clearly appreciated. When we finally get the funds to remodel, they will be much better for our guests.
Life sometimes gets in the way of being a Board member, and we recently lost four of our most dedicated volunteers due to their day job and other issues. Kaye Turpin our Chair resigned due to retirement plans out of state. Successful work has forced Jeff Bizzack and Mike Moskowitz to step down, and Dr Gilligan had some personal issues that needed attending to. The good news is that Jeff will still be able to stay engaged with the Golf Tournament. The other good news is that we had no problem having other Board members step up to the plate on the executive committee. I honestly don’t have enough space to list all their selfless contributions or to say thank you with the level of gratitude they deserve. But trust me when I say they worked tirelessly often behind the scenes to make our ministry the success it is.
Finally, the Thrift Store is going through some changes. We need volunteers there, especially on the weekends. If you want to experience a little bit of retail, we would love for you to sign up.
So let me close with one of the truths of our organization, we couldn’t do it without you, so, thank you and -
God bless you all!
Mac
TEE UP FOR AMAZING DEALS on Silent Auction items
BY AMY SELICH, CO-CHAIR GOLF COMMITTEE
Whether you're a golf enthusiast or just love being part of the action, we invite you to join the excitement at our upcoming online Silent Auction, kicking off on Friday, September 13th.
Get ready to bid on amazing items like a weekend or weeklong getaway to a fabulous beach resort, a chance to play golf at a stunning club on the Kona-Kohala coast in Hawaii, or even a chance to bag autographed memorabilia from your favorite athletes.
A range of surf and golf gear and valuable gift baskets, all generously donated by local and regional businesses, are available as well.You won't want to miss out!
Claiming your winnings is super simple and makes a real difference in the lives of those we support.
Start browsing and place your bids generously from Friday, September 13th onwards. Click the auction button on our golf page, brotherbenno.org/Golf-2024, to begin!
THANKS FOR ASKING!
We look forward to receiving your feedback, your questions and especially having the opportunity to talk with you about all the remarkable things your donations make possible for those in need. Last month, we received this question from Cynthia F:
Each month you provide the services by the numbers. In the July edition the May 2024 number for lodging was 2,053. There are testimonials speaking of rental assistance. Are there other forms of lodging provided? I have heard that Brother Benno also provides lodging in motels/hotels and in private residences. I, and perhaps others, would like to learn more about forms of lodging provided. Tied into this--does Brother Benno use tiny homes for lodging?
Dear Cynthia,
Thank you for your interest in Brother Benno’s services and for your insightful question about lodging. You have a sharp eye for details.
You are correct that our services extend beyond rental assistance, a service that helps over 500 households each year avoid eviction and the risk of becoming homeless. It is important to note that Brother Benno is not a shelter. We focus on providing connections to housing solutions and support services that empower individuals to achieve self-sufficiency.
Beyond rental and utility assistance, the solutions Brother Benno’s provides include
- motel vouchers - over 300 are issued each year to homeless persons and families that offers temporary housing while longer-term supportive care is being arranged
- a dedicated sober living home that houses up to six women as they continue to progress through substance abuse recovery; and
- six homes that house up to forty-two men participating in our twenty-six-week recovery program
How do we do this? Our “Hub Center” at the Brother Benno Center on Production Avenue offers a central location for our outreach team to combine efforts and work closely with many partners. These include government agencies and other non-profit organizations. This team effort generates a substantial increase in providing housing solutions to persons in critical need.
In addition, we are grateful for San Diego County’s Department of Homeless Solutions & Equitable Communities (HSEC) homeless services team. This team includes case managers, licensed clinical social workers, and benefits specialists all working out of our Hub Center.
While our Guests are receiving housing assistance, Brother Benno’s continues to supply food service, clothing, transportation, mail service, hygiene products, and other services, including weekly medical and dental care by our partner TrueCare Mobile Health Services. These combined services offered with kindness, compassion, and love uplift our Guests on their path to a better life.
Tiny Homes - We understand your interest in tiny homes as a potential housing solution. Brother Benno’s has considered offering tiny homes to our Guests; however, we lack the needed space to install and operate tiny homes.
We sincerely hope this information answers your question and gives you insight into the forms of lodging Brother Benno's provides.
Thanks for asking!
Your Brother Benno Newsletter Team
P.S. Whether you are donating your time, dropping off needed goods, or making a financial contribution (no amount is too small!), you make a difference in the lives of those in need.
CAUGHT IN THE ACT! Community Partners, Supporters & Volunteers Making a Difference
We deeply appreciate the support from our community partners, volunteers, and donors. However, we only manage to document a small portion of these acts of kindness. If you have a photo or story you’d like to share, please send it to us at bbnewsletter@brotherbenno.org. We’d be delighted to feature your story!
San Luis Rey Valley United Methodist Church members recently shared their late July morning volunteer experience. Volunteers served breakfast and helped guests in our Food Pantry.
We especially love the hashtags they used in their post - #servewithlove and #FaithInAction.
We know they'll be back and we're looking forward to having their group back - loving, positive, and uplifting! Visit their Facebook page and show them some love!
The image above was created for our newsletter from several collages they shared on their Facebook page.
In honor of Healthcare for People Experiencing Homelessness Day on August 5th, the team from TrueCare visited The Center and connected with many of our guests.
Offering free podiatry and dental screenings and provided valuable healthcare resources. Our guests felt heard about their health
concerns.
In addition, students from the Ivy League Barber Academy provided free haircuts. Visit their Facebook pages and join us in showing them some love.
Pictures are from TrueCare’s Facebook post, August 5, 2024.
Your donations keep our Thrift Shop well stocked. Gently used and clean, coats and jackets, pants, shorts, shoes, socks, hats, beanies, gloves and scarves are often shared with the Center Clothing room which provides clothing to those in need. Your donations help us fulfill our mission and support those in need in more ways than you can imagine. Thank you!
Gentle reminder: When you donate items, would you please package them in boxes, bags or disposable containers. It really helps.
OUTERKNOWN EXPANDS THEIR GENEROUS SUPPORT WITH A VIP SHOPPING EVENT
Outerknown, Title Sponsor of our 6th Annual Charity Golf Tournament, has expanded their support of the Brother Benno Foundation by holding a VIP Shopping Event at their store at The Forum in Carlsbad. To be held the evening before the tournament, 25% of all sales during the event will be generously donated to the Brother Benno Foundation.
Event shopping festivities include drinks, snacks and music. This might be the perfect time to get started on your holiday gift list!
When: Tuesday, September 17th, 5 - 7pm
Where: Outerknown Carlsbad, The Forum, 1923 Calle Barcelona Suite 141, Carlsbad
Outerknown isn't just a top tier sponsor; they're a partner who adds real value. From outfitting golfers and event volunteers, curating unique swag and contributing to our successful silent auction, they help make our tournament a memorable experience for everyone involved.
We hope you will join us at this VIP Shopping Event.
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT: Catherine Shaw
BY V.C. SMITH
“Great events don’t happen without great volunteers” and Catherine Shaw is definitely one of those “great volunteers.”
Beginning in June, Catherine became a volunteer member of our golf committee’s silent auction team. As a team member, she has been spending seven hours a week gathering items for the silent auction, writing thank you letters to auction donors, and helping recruit volunteers for the day of the event. With these responsibilities, Catherine has been experiencing the behind-the-scenes action and coordination it take to pull together the silent auction with all its many moving parts.
A recent UCSD graduate this past May with a degree in Human Biology, Catherine plans to continue her education to become a Physician’s Assistant (PA) with a focus on Reconstructive Surgery.
Catherine is no stranger to volunteer work. She has volunteered with Palomar Hospital through their Pathmaker Internship program, served as a research volunteer with Moores Cancer Center, helped with beach and park clean-ups with the Surfrider Foundation and Cabrillo State Marine Reserve Parks Project.
When she is not helping at Brother Benno’s, she loves spending time with her family and friends; watching and playing sports; reading; taking walks around a local lake; running; lifting weights; drawing art; and watching tv dramas.
DinaMarie Ahee, Administration Manager, described Catherine as a “compassionate, generous, kind soul who dedicates so much to her community, and family. She has been eager and willing to take on any task with a level of confidence beyond her years.”
When asked about what she learned or takes with her from her time at Brother Benno's she shared, “ One of the biggest things I’ve learned or take away from Brother Benno’s is that the homeless population or people struggling with addiction are not all a lost cause. I feel like a lot of people focus on how to get rid of this type population instead of implementing programs that could help them. But Brother Benno’s has shown repeatedly that with the proper resources, rehabilitation, and support from the community these people are able to restore their lives and integrate back into society."
Catherine, we love your dedication to Brother Benno’s and all the work you’ve done getting our silent auction ready for it’s opening on September 13. We couldn’t have done this without you! Thank you!
BY POPULAR DEMAND, Tours are now Twice a Month
Community members and potential volunteers really enjoy our monthly tours; however, there has been one complaint - they are only held once a month. Good news! Beginning this month, tours will now be held twice a month – the first and third Saturdays.
No reservations are necessary so feel free to bring family and friends with you. Tours start at 9:00 a.m.
When coming for a tour, please park on the street and check in at the main entrance (the front door on the right).
Serving Team Calendar
We'd love to have your team join us!
Email servingteams@brotherbenno.org
Leave a message: (760) 231-1613
Fill out an application here
September Memorials
View your September Memorials here
This Month's Needs
HYGIENE & PERSONAL CARE
Disposable razors
Neosporin - individual packets
Travel-sized soap, shampoo, conditioner, lotion & tissue packs
CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES
Men’s pants (all sizes)
Men’s athletic shoes
Men’s belts
Hoodies
Hats (caps/beanies)
Underwear - Men’s & Women’s (new)
Socks -Men’s & Women’s (new & gently-worn)
Baby diapers - size 6
FOOD & BEVERAGES
Bottled waters, sodas, & juices
Ziplock sandwich & snack bags
OTHER NECESSITIES
Adult Backpacks &
Duffle bags (gently-used)
Blankets
Reusable Water Bottles
WHERE TO DROP OFF YOUR DONATIONS
CLOTHING Donations: Clothing, including shoes, socks, beanies, baseball hats, and gloves are accepted at our Thrift Shop - Tuesdays through Fridays 10:00 AM. – 1:00 PM Saturdays 10:00 AM – noon Donations are accepted in the alley to the right of the building. Please label donations "For the Center."
FOOD & OTHER ESSENTIAL ITEMS Donations: Non-perishable food and drinks, blankets, bath towels, personal hygiene items, and diapers are accepted at the Center, Monday through Friday 6:30 AM - 11:00 AM and Saturday 10:00 AM - noon. (The Center cannot accept clothing, furniture or household items.)
You can also visit our Amazon Wishlist and have needed items shipped directly to us!
A 24-HOUR DAY OF GIVING
For the third year in a row, The Brother Benno Foundation is raising funds and awareness by participating in San Diego Gives. This fundraising program for local San Diego-based nonprofits encourages San Diegans to give locally and learn about the many nonprofit organizations that support our beautiful County.
The San Diego Gives website makes it simple to learn about local nonprofit organizations and their work. There are a diverse range of cause areas, including the arts, animal welfare, the environment, education, health, human services, equity, social justice, and more. You can donate directly to Brother Benno’s through our donation page.
We'd love your feedback!
Our newsletter team would love to hear from you!
What did you think of this edition?
- Loved it, here’s why...
- I’d like more stories about...
EMAIL US AT:
bbnewsletter@brotherbenno.org
LEAVE A MESSAGE AT:
(760) 231-1613
The greatest good is what we do for others.
