Harry Tompson Center Update

Jesuit Volunteers Going and Coming

2010-07-16 11:28:59

During this past year, the Harry Tompson Center has benefited from the services of Jesuit volunteers Rachel Robins and Rob Keller. When their year ends, Rachel will be returning to Philadelphia, PA and will be pursuing a position in a homeless shelter there. Rob will stay in New Orleans to begin law school at Loyola University. We thank them for their time with us and ask God's blessings upon them.

In August two second year volunteers will be joining us -- Alex Allain and Brian Ahern. Alex Allain hails from Natchez, MS. He graduated from Millsap College in Jackson, MS and was in JVC this past year working at Tri City Peoples Corporation in Newark, NJ. Brian Ahern comes from Redmond, WA. He graduated from Gonzaga University in Seattle, WA and was in JVC this past year working at Casserly House in Boston, MA. We welcome them and look forward to their presence in ministry among us.

Son Servants Volunteers

2010-07-11 16:50:42

We are blessed this summer to have multiple young volunteers with us everyday for all across the country. Beginning in mid-June and running through the end of July, volunteers with Son Servants are at our Center each day to help us with showers, the phone room and making hygience kits. They are outstanding young folks who are really being of assistance during a time of the year when we frequently have staff shortages.

Snow balls in June

2010-07-11 16:45:34

What a way to beat the heat -- a nice cold snowball! That was what the guests at the Tompson Center experienced on Tuesday, June 29. Plum Street Snoball served their treat to 175 guests and staff. We are grateful to Emile and Annabelle Netzhamer whose generosity made this treat possible. We look forward to a day in July and one in August for a repeat performance!

Bring on the Smiles

2010-07-11 16:35:25

We have been blessed by the presence of Jim Belfon, the photographer of Gulf Coast Photography Project. For the fourth time in the past two years, Jim has come to the Center to take portrait photographs of our guests. On May 12, 2010, about one hundred people had their portraits taken and then we provided them with a frame. Our guests take such pride in these pictures and rightfully so! Thank you, Jim Belfon!

The Year in a Glance

2010-07-11 13:09:52

In our ministry to the homeless of New Orleans during the past fiscal year, we have been able to provide our services through the generosity of our sponsors' and volunteers' contributions. The number can be staggering when thought of as there are so many homeless people; they can be amazing when thought of as so many people being helped.

Services	July - Sept. '09	Oct. - Dec. '09	Jan. - Mar. '10	Apr. - June '10	Yearly Totals
Laundry	1,002	938	890	970	3,800
Legal	208	188	234	250	952
Medical	509	523	506	518	2,056
Mental Health	108	102	137	150	497
Phones	50,400 minutes	50,400 minutes	50,400 minutes	50,400 minutes	201,600 minutes
Showers	5,386	4,482	3,948	5,417	19,233
Toiletries	1,770	1,650	1,800	1,830	7,050
Total Guests	9,676	12,332	13,168	14,488	49,664

Generous Grants

2010-07-11 09:38:51

The Harry Tompson Center is proud to announce grants from the following funding groups:

Blue Cross / Blue Shield

Greater New Orleans Foundation IMPACT grant

Joe & Dorothy Brown Foundation

Frank J. Lewis Foundation

Rotary Club

UNITY of Greater New Orleans

We are grateful for the generous support of so many for the homeless people of the city.