El Camino Homeless Organization receives nearly 7k from St. James Church
–ECHO Homeless Shelter is pleased to announce it has received a donation of $6,900 from the St. James Episcopal Church in Paso Robles. The donation was the result of a fundraiser held in November, the tenth annual Music for the Soul.
St. James Episcopal church has been a part of the North County community for 125 years. The Music for the Soul holiday event was created to recognize and assist local charitable organizations. ECHO was selected for their 2018 fundraiser. The event featured a headlining musical presentation by classical pianist Corey Jordan, local wine and hors d’oeuvres and a multi-course dinner by Il Cortile, Catch Seafood Bar & Grill and Paso Terra. The event was held at Studios on the Park and attended by 125 supporters.
ECHO operates a safe and secure overnight 50-bed shelter to meet the immediate needs of families and individuals who have become homeless. With a unique residency program, clients are provided case management services to assist them in securing a job and finding permanent and sustainable housing within three months of entering the shelter program. While enrolled in the program, clients are taught life skills for employment, budgeting, health care management, and social communication and interaction. The goal and the result of this practical support is the empowerment of residents to move in a positive direction while assisting them in acquiring the skills and services they need to become self-sustaining, including secure housing.
A force of 500 community volunteers provides ancillary support to run the shelter program and a meal program that serves as many as 80 dinners each night to shelter residents and the homeless population. ECHO also operates a shower program that provides hot showers three nights a week to anyone in need. ECHO supplies the homeless population all the necessary toiletries and offers access to clothing, shoes, blankets and sleeping bags.
“We are very grateful to receive this donation,” said Wendy Lewis, President/CEO of ECHO, “This will help us maximize our living space inside the shelter and provide even more resources to the people we serve.”
“As part of our mission of feeding bodies and souls in our community, St. James is delighted to be able to support ECHO in their work of providing meals and shelter to people in need,” said Rev. Barbara Miller.
