News and Musings:

Friday, July 11, 2008
BHA on the Road
 
On June 17, Jennifer Rash, Bagwashi Coordinator, presented the vision for Bagwashi Circles during a workshop at the PA Housing Finance Agency's 2008 Housing Services Conference in Gettysburg, PA. The purpose of the session was to detail the need for strengthening the support systems of families in crisis, and present our model of addressing that need. Executive Director Steve Schwartz and Program Participant Megan Brunner assisted with the presentation.

The crowd was filled with persons who work on housing issues with low-income and otherwise challenged adults, so we hope and believe some ideas were generated that can help these dedicated workers find ways to strengthen the systems of support surrounding their clients.

Jennifer Rash presents the motivation behind our model for Bagwashi Circles while Megan Brunner, BHA Program Participant, looks on.

Session participants take part in a group
exercise to better understand the challenges
facing families living in poverty.

Posted by Steve Schwartz   (7/11/2008 8:29:30 AM | link)

Friday, June 27, 2008
Goodbye, Julie!
 
Today I'm sad. Today Theresia Julianty, our administrative assistant who goes by Julie, is working her last day at BHA. She has been a faithful servant at BHA over the past three years answering the phones, handling invoices, managing donation records, sending thank you letters, and generally helping all of us to do our jobs better. I'm going to miss her humor, her personality, her Christian example, and last but not least, the wonderful Indonesian food she regularly made to share with us all.

Julie, her husband Freddie, and their daughter Aubrey are following the call of God in their lives...moving to Scranton, Pa. to pastor the Scranton church of their denomination, International Full Gospel Fellowship. While I'm sad to see her go, who am I to stand in the way of God?

God bless you Julie for your faithful service to homeless single moms and their children these past three years.

Julie says goodbye on her last day of work.

Posted by Steve Schwartz   (6/27/2008 2:48:18 PM | link)

Friday, June 06, 2008
Spring Thaw Bike Tour Highlights
 
The 2008 Spring Thaw Bike Tour was a big success! On Saturday, May 10, twenty-five riders rode a combined 910 miles to support our work with homeless families...and raised over $10,000! This was our biggest year ever in terms of riders and funds raised.

Thanks are due to all the riders:
Brian Phillips
Jon Wentling
Suzanne Giuliano
John Kelly
Larry Loser
Bonnie Loser
Tony Blair
Lisa Shenk
Diana Shenk
Jesse Shenk
Steve Schwartz
Josh Benton
Megan Sears
Jim Sears
Merle Reinford
Jonathan Charles
Larry Baum
Bev Anspaugh
Eric Anspaugh
Judy Mellinger
Ron Mellinger
Greg Howe
Jeff Eckert
Linda Bell
Kay Care

And to the following churches and their members for hosting rest stops along the various routes:
Mount Wilson Church of the Brethren (COB)
West Green Tree COB
Elizabethtown COB
Spring Creek COB
Conewago COB

Special Thanks are due to:

• Darrel Reinford, our founder and Bike Tour Event Coordinator for another excellent year coordinating the event.
• Palmyra Church of the Brethren for hosting us as our starting and ending location, including breakfast and lunch stop.
• Michael Collins, Bonnie Loser and Larry Loser for being our hosts and setup/clean-up crew at Palmyra COB.

• Individuals who raised $1000 or more: John Kelly
• Individuals who raised $500 or more: John Kelly, Brian Phillips, Jeff Eckert, Linda Bell, Megan Sears, Jim Sears
• Top Individual Fundraisers: John Kelly, Brian Phillips
• Team of 3 or More Who Raised More than $2000: Team Shenk (Lisa, Diana and Jessie Shenk from Chiques COB)
• Church Challenge -- Team that Raised the Most Money to Support BHA: Team Shenk
• Church Challenge -- Team that Rode the Most Miles (Traveling Trophy): Team Florin COB (Larry Baum, Eric and Bev Anspaugh, and Ron and Judy Mellinger)

Bonnie and Larry Loser prepare to head out on
their 25 mile trek. (photo: Scott Blouch)

John Kelly, husband of BHA Development
Coordinator Heather Kelly, is set to ride
62.2 miles on his 1976 Schwinn ten
speed. (photo: Scott Blouch)

Tony Blair preps for his 25 mile ride.
(photo: Scott Blouch)

Team Florin is well prepared for the combined 160 miles they will ride. (photo: Scott Blouch)

Steve Schwartz, BHA's Executive Director, pulls into
the Mount Wilson COB Rest Stop...11 miles into his
ride. (photo: Heather Kelly)

Sara Brenneman hosts the Mount Wilson
rest stop, providing riders with a necessary
break for refreshments and facility usage.
(photo: Heather Kelly)

Diana (left) and Jessie Shenk work hard up a hill
after 40+ miles of riding. (photo: Steve Schwartz)

They made it! From left: Jessie, Diana and Lisa Shenk
bask in the glow of the 50 mile ride they just
completed as our top fundraising team.
(photo: Steve Schwartz)

At the end of the day Suzanne Giuliano (left), Jon
Wentling, and Brian Phillips (standing) sit down for
a well-earned meal. (photo: Heather Kelly)

Posted by Steve Schwartz   (6/6/2008 7:31:01 AM | link)

Thursday, June 05, 2008
Congratulations, Megan!
 
We are all proud of Megan Brunner, a participant in our transitional housing program, who recently graduated from Kaplan Career Institute with an Associates Degree in Business Administration. Megan had to work extremely hard to accomplish this, juggling school work, volunteer commitments, parenting four toddlers, and significant family illness. Congratulations Megan, you are an inspiration!

Megan at her graduation celebration on May 1 with Jennifer Rash, Bashwashi Coordinator, (left) and Christine Patrick, Case Manager.

Posted by Steve Schwartz   (6/5/2008 7:34:07 AM | link)

News and Musings Archive
July 2008 (1 musing)
June 2008 (3 musings)
May 2008 (2 musings)
April 2008 (6 musings)
February 2008 (2 musings)
January 2008 (4 musings)
December 2007 (4 musings)
November 2007 (6 musings)
August 2007 (2 musings)
July 2007 (1 musing)
June 2007 (1 musing)
May 2007 (4 musings)
April 2007 (2 musings)
March 2007 (2 musings)
February 2007 (3 musings)
January 2007 (3 musings)
December 2006 (3 musings)
November 2006 (3 musings)
October 2006 (3 musings)