Church of the Advocate 2014 Advocate Café Report
Winter 2015
For thirty-five years now, the Church of the Advocate has offered nutritious meals five days a week to the hungry members of our community. While the majority of café patrons come from the immediate North Philadelphia neighborhood, many also travel long distances for this opportunity. In 2014, we served over 22,000 meals, distributed over 1500 food vouchers and provided over 1500 referrals to community resources and services. The Advocate Café is a partnership project of our 40-member congregation and a broad range of volunteers and financial supporters; united by a single mission to serve the underserved and to nurture a tradition of social service and advocacy on behalf of justice.
We began the year 2014 with several goals:
Thanks to your generous support, we successfully met the challenge and achieved our goals.
OUR STRENGTHS
We began 2014 with an earnest resolve to catapult what has historically been known as the Church of the Advocate Soup Kitchen into a new identity that would define the level of service and spirit of dignity we aimed to deliver. With new team members on board, we were able to shape and realize this vision. The addition of a Parish Administrator with non-profit and social service management experience brought a fresh perspective to our operations. An outstanding volunteer demonstrated her ability to connect patrons to resources and secured our Outreach Coordinator position. With the Vicar’s leadership and the growth of the Advocate Center for Culture and Education (ACCE), the team envisioned the Advocate Café; a wellspring of nourishment for the body, mind and spirit that would endeavor to be the centerpiece of support for basic human needs.
We enjoy the benefit of a willing corps of volunteers who provide the human capital to keep a place like the Advocate Café functioning. Our 2014 volunteers included Temple students and organizations, North Philadelphia neighbors, Episcopal diocese brethren, corporate service corps, elementary and high school groups, youth training programs, families and patrons. Together, they committed over 3500 hours of their time to support a café that operates 16 hours per week. A volunteer training module designed to communicate the Advocate mission and a code of conduct was developed as a tool for long-term volunteers. All volunteers and groups receive an overview of the Advocate and a review of our guiding principles. Our kitchen staff skillfully distributes job tasks for everyone willing to serve on any given day and the meal service is off to a great start.
A mid-year discussion about environment resulted in a change in furniture in the Advocate Café. In an effort to create a greater sense of community and foster a family atmosphere, we replaced the long institutional tables with round café tables. We soon realized a positive shift in conversation and collegiality amongst the patrons, staff and volunteers. The addition of midday community announcements, a suggestion box, periodic presentations on topics of interest and a little music (live as well as broadcast) has made this a place that patrons look forward to visiting on a regular basis. The suggestion box has been the catalyst for additions in the patron experience like the hand sanitizer station and monthly game night.
With the initiation of the Advocate Center for Culture and Education (ACCE) after school program, the Advocate Café now provides over 50 hot meals three nights a week for the youth involved in the broad array of activities offered. Whether the youth visit for homework assistance, dance class, karate or basketball, a hot meal is available before they depart for home. In an effort to integrate families into ACCE and provide access to our resources and information, we have established a special Thursday night mealtime for parents to join in the learning process. We are excited to watch the growth of this initiative.
A key factor of our success is embodied in the many partners who help sustain our efforts. Without their invaluable organizational, programmatic and financial support, we could not continue the work that began decades ago. We are grateful for the many ways our mission is supported and the encouragement received by those who share our vision.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR GROWTH
Because of the progress made in the last year, the bar of achievement has been set even higher. We must now identify additional resources that will help to position us as a reliable source of information for the adjunct needs of our patrons. An assessment of the unmet needs reveal gaps in housing, employment and education. With the recent Meals and More grant awarded by the City of Philadelphia, we are challenged to not only expand the number of meals offered to the community, but to establish ourselves as a critical point of information for our patrons; a motivating factor that moves patrons to a higher level of self-actualization. In the coming year, we will expand our partnerships and collaborations with the specific aim of enhancing our capacity to nurture our patrons.
We must also be focused on expanding the recruitment and development of our volunteers. They are vital to our operations but also a connection to the many sectors of the community that they represent. As we invest in them, it is our hope that they will help to invest in us and realize the role they play in our continued success. We will also use the talent available to expand our income development efforts. The great vision we have can only be realized when we are free of budgetary constraints that delay the achievement of the goal.
Above all, as we continue to grow, sustain the Church of the Advocate as the welcoming community dedicated to spiritual enrichment, human services, community programs, and the pursuit of social justice.
OUR PARTNERS
BNY Mellon Mid-Atlantic Charitable Trust
Meals and More (Mayor’s Office of Community Empowerment and Opportunity)
Anonymous Donor
The Church of the Redeemer, Bryn Mawr
St. Paul’s Church, Chestnut Hill
St. Christopher’s Church, Gladwyne
Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, Chestnut Hill
St. Thomas Church, Whitemarsh
St. David’s Church, Radnor
Trinity Church, Buckingham
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church
The Meadowbrook School
Art Sanctuary
Advocate Center for Culture and Education
Prometheus Chamber Orchestra
Temple University
The EARN Center
Project Restore
ADVOCATE CAFÉ STAFF
Mamie Mathis, Lead Cook
Carroll Robinson, Sous Cook
Denise Robinson, Kitchen Assistant
CHURCH OF THE ADVOCATE STAFF
Lynn Buggage, Parish Administrator
Timothy Shepherd, Facility Manager
Euell Nielsen, Secretary
Deborah Addison, Outreach Coordinator
Nigel Edwards, Sexton
Clifton Starkey, Sexton
VESTRY
Mr. Kemah Washington, Senior Warden
Ms. Matilda Petty, Secretary
Dr. Evelyn Partridge
Ms. Loretta McMullen
Mr. Irvin Odrick
VICAR
The Rev. Renee McKenzie-Hayward, PhD.
Winter 2015
For thirty-five years now, the Church of the Advocate has offered nutritious meals five days a week to the hungry members of our community. While the majority of café patrons come from the immediate North Philadelphia neighborhood, many also travel long distances for this opportunity. In 2014, we served over 22,000 meals, distributed over 1500 food vouchers and provided over 1500 referrals to community resources and services. The Advocate Café is a partnership project of our 40-member congregation and a broad range of volunteers and financial supporters; united by a single mission to serve the underserved and to nurture a tradition of social service and advocacy on behalf of justice.
We began the year 2014 with several goals:
- To sustain the offering of balanced, nutritional meals to patrons five days a week
- To sustain the offering of educational opportunities for education on health and socio-cultural issues that impact our patrons
- To sustain the provision of opportunities for spiritual growth and cultural awareness
- To sustain the fostering of healthy reciprocal relationships between Temple University and North Philadelphia residents
- To transform the “soup kitchen” experience
- To expand our scope of services to patrons
- To expand partnership opportunities for the benefit of our patrons
Thanks to your generous support, we successfully met the challenge and achieved our goals.
OUR STRENGTHS
We began 2014 with an earnest resolve to catapult what has historically been known as the Church of the Advocate Soup Kitchen into a new identity that would define the level of service and spirit of dignity we aimed to deliver. With new team members on board, we were able to shape and realize this vision. The addition of a Parish Administrator with non-profit and social service management experience brought a fresh perspective to our operations. An outstanding volunteer demonstrated her ability to connect patrons to resources and secured our Outreach Coordinator position. With the Vicar’s leadership and the growth of the Advocate Center for Culture and Education (ACCE), the team envisioned the Advocate Café; a wellspring of nourishment for the body, mind and spirit that would endeavor to be the centerpiece of support for basic human needs.
We enjoy the benefit of a willing corps of volunteers who provide the human capital to keep a place like the Advocate Café functioning. Our 2014 volunteers included Temple students and organizations, North Philadelphia neighbors, Episcopal diocese brethren, corporate service corps, elementary and high school groups, youth training programs, families and patrons. Together, they committed over 3500 hours of their time to support a café that operates 16 hours per week. A volunteer training module designed to communicate the Advocate mission and a code of conduct was developed as a tool for long-term volunteers. All volunteers and groups receive an overview of the Advocate and a review of our guiding principles. Our kitchen staff skillfully distributes job tasks for everyone willing to serve on any given day and the meal service is off to a great start.
A mid-year discussion about environment resulted in a change in furniture in the Advocate Café. In an effort to create a greater sense of community and foster a family atmosphere, we replaced the long institutional tables with round café tables. We soon realized a positive shift in conversation and collegiality amongst the patrons, staff and volunteers. The addition of midday community announcements, a suggestion box, periodic presentations on topics of interest and a little music (live as well as broadcast) has made this a place that patrons look forward to visiting on a regular basis. The suggestion box has been the catalyst for additions in the patron experience like the hand sanitizer station and monthly game night.
With the initiation of the Advocate Center for Culture and Education (ACCE) after school program, the Advocate Café now provides over 50 hot meals three nights a week for the youth involved in the broad array of activities offered. Whether the youth visit for homework assistance, dance class, karate or basketball, a hot meal is available before they depart for home. In an effort to integrate families into ACCE and provide access to our resources and information, we have established a special Thursday night mealtime for parents to join in the learning process. We are excited to watch the growth of this initiative.
A key factor of our success is embodied in the many partners who help sustain our efforts. Without their invaluable organizational, programmatic and financial support, we could not continue the work that began decades ago. We are grateful for the many ways our mission is supported and the encouragement received by those who share our vision.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR GROWTH
Because of the progress made in the last year, the bar of achievement has been set even higher. We must now identify additional resources that will help to position us as a reliable source of information for the adjunct needs of our patrons. An assessment of the unmet needs reveal gaps in housing, employment and education. With the recent Meals and More grant awarded by the City of Philadelphia, we are challenged to not only expand the number of meals offered to the community, but to establish ourselves as a critical point of information for our patrons; a motivating factor that moves patrons to a higher level of self-actualization. In the coming year, we will expand our partnerships and collaborations with the specific aim of enhancing our capacity to nurture our patrons.
We must also be focused on expanding the recruitment and development of our volunteers. They are vital to our operations but also a connection to the many sectors of the community that they represent. As we invest in them, it is our hope that they will help to invest in us and realize the role they play in our continued success. We will also use the talent available to expand our income development efforts. The great vision we have can only be realized when we are free of budgetary constraints that delay the achievement of the goal.
Above all, as we continue to grow, sustain the Church of the Advocate as the welcoming community dedicated to spiritual enrichment, human services, community programs, and the pursuit of social justice.
OUR PARTNERS
BNY Mellon Mid-Atlantic Charitable Trust
Meals and More (Mayor’s Office of Community Empowerment and Opportunity)
Anonymous Donor
The Church of the Redeemer, Bryn Mawr
St. Paul’s Church, Chestnut Hill
St. Christopher’s Church, Gladwyne
Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, Chestnut Hill
St. Thomas Church, Whitemarsh
St. David’s Church, Radnor
Trinity Church, Buckingham
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church
The Meadowbrook School
Art Sanctuary
Advocate Center for Culture and Education
Prometheus Chamber Orchestra
Temple University
The EARN Center
Project Restore
ADVOCATE CAFÉ STAFF
Mamie Mathis, Lead Cook
Carroll Robinson, Sous Cook
Denise Robinson, Kitchen Assistant
CHURCH OF THE ADVOCATE STAFF
Lynn Buggage, Parish Administrator
Timothy Shepherd, Facility Manager
Euell Nielsen, Secretary
Deborah Addison, Outreach Coordinator
Nigel Edwards, Sexton
Clifton Starkey, Sexton
VESTRY
Mr. Kemah Washington, Senior Warden
Ms. Matilda Petty, Secretary
Dr. Evelyn Partridge
Ms. Loretta McMullen
Mr. Irvin Odrick
VICAR
The Rev. Renee McKenzie-Hayward, PhD.
