The Voices of
Triumph Gospel Community Choir (Voices), a 501(c) 3 non-profit
organization was established in August 1999. A once member of the
Voices saw a fire on the riverside where the homeless lived. She was
concerned about the welfare of the person living under that tarp
that had caught fire. She spoke to her friend who was the President
of the Voices and asked what can we do? We decided that we would put
the homeless in a vacant house owned by the president of the Voice’s
daughter.
Much leg work
took place. Talks with the Mayor, Code enforcement, housing
inspectors, and fire chief determined that housing the homeless was
too expensive. The requirements were demanding time and commitment
which could not be handled by one person (one worked and the other
was retired).
After much
research as to how we could help fight homelessness in the community,
we discovered, local human services agencies, located housing, helped
with upfront utility cost, security deposits and furniture vouchers.
No one provided the essential items that were needed to make a
house a home. It was at this point we would provide for individuals
and families who were once homeless and transitioning from
homelessness into a dwelling.
Just imagine
walking into an empty house/apartment; there is a stove, no pots to
cook food with, no dishes to eat out of, no silverware to eat with.
You walk into the bedroom there is the bed; no bed linen, blanket or
pillows. You can’t bathe because there is no soap for your body or
shampoo for your hair.
The items
provided by Essentially Yours, serves that very purpose. The items
provided are (Linen) Sheets, blankets, pillows, bath and dish towels,
wash clothes, pot holders, and shower liners. We provide items for
the Kitchen; Pots, pans, dishes, glasses, silverware, utensils, bake
ware, small appliances if available. We provide Personal care items;
soap deodorant, lotion, shampoo, Conditioner, tooth paste, tooth
brushes, and razors. We provide household items; mop, broom, dish
detergent, laundry detergent, bleach, and house hold cleansers. Our
goal is to provide those items than cannot be purchased with food
stamps (SNAP).
Once it was
decided that this service was really needed in the community we set
out to make it a reality. A collaboration was formed with The
Salvation Army, United Way Alliance of the Mid- Ohio Valley, and West
brook Health Services. The community supported initiative was named
Essentially Yours.
Essentially Yours
opened May 4, 2010. The Salvation Army provided office and warehouse
space for us in-kind. The community donated slightly used items, the
Voices counted inventory and stocked shelves, funds were donated from
churches and charities.
December, 2010 we
became incorporated. Our name was changed to Voices of the Streets,
Inc. Essentially Yours. We are a 501 c (3) non-profit non- salaried
tax exempt ministry operated by volunteer. As of December 2013, we
served 288 individuals.
Our services has
expanded from providing for the once homeless, to homeless veterans,
battered and abused individuals, emancipated teens, mentally
challenged individuals, victims of fires and floods, and individuals
transitioning from the Department of Correction.
There are four
must-have requirements for service:
- Current Lease ( dated no more than two month)
- Photo Identification (Government Issued)
- Social Security Card (for each member living in the household)
- Referral
Our current
location is 1341 Juliana St. (at the First Presbyterian Church)
Parkersburg WV 26101. We are only open Tuesday and Wednesday
10:00-2:30. We are closed from 12:00 -1:00 for lunch. Our office
number is 304 428-4304
We are partially
funded by, United Way Alliance of the Mid-Ohio Valley, Sisters of
Saint Joseph, Ross Foundation, and The Parkersburg Area Community
Foundation.
Please mail all
monetary donations to Essentially Yours P.O. Box 1175 Parkersburg WV
26102. All other donations can be dropped out during our hours of
operation.
If additional
information is needed contact:
Chris Penn,
Executive Director 304-488-1006.
E-Mail:
Your.essentially@yahoo.com
View our Web
page: www. Essentially-yours.org
Follow us on Face
Book
