MACH General Membership Hybrid Meeting (in person and virtual)
Thursday, October 27, 2022
3pm - 4pm
Brantwood Children's Home
1309 Upper Wetumpka Road, Montgomery
Join virtually by visiting bit.ly/MACH-GENERAL
This meeting is open to the public.
Join us to receive information about current services, available resources and future plans, along with a discussion of relevant topics and practical solutions regarding homelessness.
Join our sleepout to help raise awareness about
hunger and homelessness in our area. Sleep out with us in the MACH parking lot or hold your own
sleepout at home or on campus (tent, sofa, pallet on the floor, etc.)
Spend the whole night or just a few hours sleeping anywhere that is not a bed,
and think about people who have no choice. Register your commitment HERE.
Stop by to donate nonperishable food items, to be given to
the Montgomery Area Food Bank.
Donate new or like-new WINTER items to benefit our
River Region neighbors experiencing homelessness.
Drop off at MACH office ONLYthis week:
101 Coliseum Boulevard, Montgomery 9 AM - Noon ONLY
Volunteers are needed take in or sort donations. Click the hyperlinks to commit!
River Region Connects Returned to Multiplex in 2022
This annual homeless resource fair provides access to multiple services and organizational representatives under one roof for a half day. Thanks to the work of 68 volunteers and representatives from 58 agencies, 140 persons experiencing homelessness or housing instability were able to get their immediate needs met. One volunteer commented: "The client I assisted was able to get her first-ever COVID vaccine...she was able to speak with an attorney about enrolling her child in disability support. She also was able to get an eye exam and she registered to vote!"
Organized by MACH's Coordination of Services Committee, River Region Connects is the result of collaboration among many agencies and volunteers. To name a few:
The City of Montgomery donated the event space.
The Southern Poverty Law Center provided funding to offset the costs of the event.
HandsOn River Region pre-registered all volunteers.
CINTAS of Montgomery provided 160 pairs of new shoes and many clothing items.
Montgomery Municipal Court provided relief from tickets and fines.
The Alabama Department of Public Health provided STD education and dozens of tests.
Medical Advocacy and Outreach (MAO) provided onsite HIV tests, HIV home test kits, and Behavioral Health intervention.
Heritage Barbershop, Perfect Cuts, and Rochell Darrington provided 48 haircuts.
Alabama Power Service Organization (APSO), Blue Ridge Mountain Water, Buffalo Rock, Coca-Cola United, First United Methodist Church, Krispy Kreme, Publix Supermarkets and Sam's Club provided in-kind goods and services.
Quiet Storm Outreach provided resume services and diabetic foot checks.
Legal Services Alabama, Montgomery County Volunteer Lawyers, and Disability Lawyer Susan Schaefer proved counsel.
Several people registered to vote, completed SNAP (food stamp) applications, and/or received government phones.
Virtual Resource Hours
On the 3rd Wednesday of every odd-numbered month, MACH presents an online opportunity to listen, learn and ask questions about local resources related to housing stability and supportive services. In an acknowledgement of National Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week (November 12-20), the November Resource Hour will focus on Food Resources. The hour will feature Pastor Ken Austin of Mercy House/MAP Center, Rebecca Cornwell of 2-1-1, Major Harvey Johnson of The Salvation Army, and Michael Coleman of The Montgomery Area Food Bank. Pre-register for the event at this link: bit.ly/MACH-PANTRY.
October 1 is the start of a new operating year for MACH. Now is the time to become a member or renew your membership!
Membership with MACH provides local support for efforts that leverage federal funds for housing assistance and outreach in the River Region. Your membership supports local planning efforts, resource development, and program operations to benefit unhoused and unstably housed members of our community.
Click the link below to join or renew today! Current individual and organizational members are listed on MACH's website: www.midalhomeless.org
In-Kind Donor Spotlight: Sleeping Mats Ministry of
Eastern Hills Baptist Church
The Eastern Hills Baptist Church Sleeping Mats Ministry, housed at Dalraida United Methodist Church (UMC) in Montgomery, has a long-standing connection to MACH and its members. Since 2018 the Ministry has created and given away over 244 sleeping mats, with each creation made from 2,005 plastic shopping bags and tied with camping rope to contain a blanket, Bible, pillow, rain poncho, socks and hygiene kit in summer months, with the addition of a hat, gloves and scarf in winter months. The Ministry was inspired by Ms. Karla Smilie-Groves, whose husband made the looms needed for the production. Up until August of 2021, she and others produced the mats out of her home. Dalraida UMC now provides the workspace for a regular showing of 15 volunteers who meet every Tuesday and Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to noon. The group is open to new members and to the opportunity to train other institutions on the art of this ministry. Anyone interested should contact Ms. Smilie-Groves at 334-324-4732. Additionally, Eastern Hills Baptist Church will accept monetary donations to the Ministry on the group’s behalf and Dalraida UMC will accept in-kind donations of clean plastic bags and the various supplies included with each mat.
Connecting People to Resources and Services: Dial 2-1-1
Michael Bryant of HandsOn River Region / 2-1-1 assists a client at the recent River Region Connects event. HandsOn's Resource and Referral Specialists are ready to provide information about available resources when callers dial 2-1-1. Dialing 2-1-1 allows for an initial screening of needs and referral to housing services and all types of other community resources. If you or someone you know needs to help, always start your search for answers by dialing 2-1-1.
