Project PLASE event - A Night of Monologues, A PLASE to be Heard

Ellen and I attended a Project PLASE fund raiser event last night at the Strand Theater. Two VSers, Kendra and Sarah work at Project PLASE which provide shelter and transitional housing services to the homeless. Several current and former clients shared their personal stories of loss and recovery and the struggles in between. Each person spoke of making a wrong decision that led to involvement with drugs eventually to homelessness. Their stories of redemption all included Project PLASE and a turning to God along the road to spiritual and physical salvation. We heard some very moving testimonies which put some faces to a well known problem in Baltimore.

Carpet cleaning at RHHP

There were three carpeted rooms that were overdue for a cleaning. Ellen arranged for them to be steam-cleaned by the Baltimore Steam Cleaning, a one man operation. Not having seen this done before, I found it to be interesting. It was very reasonably priced and minimally disruptive - no running to the supermarket to rent a machine and purchase the chemicals. All we had to do was to move some furniture out of the room. The cleaning was done with superheated steam and left no discernible chemical odor. The steam also kills any bugs that might lurk in the carpet fibres. It was over in about an hour.

The amazing thing is that he charged us only $100. I think any service that involves a house call and costs only $100 is a steal. He gave us a break and offered to steam-clean our rugs without charge because he liked what RHHP does. We recommend this guy.

The Whitelock Community Farm stand

We now have a farm stand two blocks from RHHP! The Whitelock farm stand began this past Friday and the season's first produce were on sale. I bought some salad mix and baby spinach. It's feels good to buy from the people who actually planted and harvested the produce. In the picture you will see Thor (he has on a red polo shirt and a hat), one of the farmers. They hope to introduce healthy foods to the neighborhood. In the process they have transformed the intersection of Whitelock and Brookfield from a weed and garbage choked corner into an attractive area. The empty lot across the street will be made into a park thanks to a grant.

Hassan visits

Our dear friend and former housemate, Hassan was at RHHP for a short visit from Damascus, Syria where he is temporarily staying with his family. It was good to see and to enjoy his cooking.

Easter egg coloring

We had our annual RHHP Easter egg coloring event. The asylum seekers didn't know what to make of this curious ritual. Ellen made delicious Easter bread.