Harry Tompson Center Update

Let's See Your Smile!

2008-03-18 13:31:09

Smile, it's picture day! What an awesome opportunity was provided our guests when Jim Belfon, a professional New York photographer, brought his Gulf South Photography Project to the Rebuild Center! Each person who sat for a picture could receive two free portraits within minutes. It was wonderful to see the sense of pride and delight as the guests sat for their pictures and even more so when they received the photos minutes later. Some went out immediately and showed their pictures to other in the Center. Eighty people took advantage of the opportunity to have their pictures taken. The offer was made that if our guests wanted to mail pictures to someone, the Center would provide envelopes and postage. Jim Belfon and his two young assistants, Clarence Ealem and Romalis Childs, gave our guests very special treatment. We owe a debt of gratitude to these three men. Please click here to view a video of the day's event.

Artistic Labor of Love

2008-03-13 11:52:08

Homelessness touches us in many different ways. For Margot Datz, it was her mother's experience of homelessness many years ago that attracted her to the ministry of the Rebuild Center at St. Joseph Church. Margot, an artist from Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, designed and created the water mural for the Center. The eight foot by twenty-four foot painting depicts six biblical scenes that refer to water, beginning with the flooding at the time of Noah and going through to the restful waters of Jesus, the Good Shepherd. In February 2007, Margot did her painting on the front porch of St. Joseph Church. Later her work was moved and hung at the Rebuild Center. As guests enter the Center, her beautiful artwork is the first thing that they see. Margot came back on Wednesday, March 5 for the first time since the Center opened and was able to see the place in action. People shared with her how much her art work meant to them and the reactions of others to such a work of beauty. The gift of her talent is a blessing to the Rebuild Center.

Church of the Latter Day Saints Come Rolling In

2008-03-13 09:26:07

God continues to touch the hearts of believers in responding to the needs of people who are homeless and in need. The Church of the Latter Day Saints, under the direction of Area Welfare Specialist Elder Gary Reed, has responded to that Divine touch. On Friday, February 29, a container truck came rolling in with ten pallettes of canned food for the emergency food program, 4100 toiletry kits, assorted hygiene items, toilet paper, six outdoor heaters to use during the wintery weather, and a refrigerated water fountain for the hot summer days. All these gifts are valued at about $14,000. We are deeply grateful to the Church of the Latter Day Saints for joining with us in responding to the poor and homeless people of New Orleans! We pray for God's blessings upon the Mormons.

A Busy, yet Calm, First Few Months!

2008-01-11 14:22:29

The Harry Tompson Center has been a buzz of activity since we opened on September 11, 2007. From day one we have been hard at work providing much needed services to the homeless in downtown New Orleans. As busy as we are, however, the Rebuild Center, which is home to the Tompson Center and two other agencies, still manages to be a refuge for folks who have no place to call their own. It is difficult to put into words, but as you pass through our doors you are greeted with a calm that is unmistakable. Our guests recognize this and many comment on how much they enjoy the peace our place provides, peace that is too often missing from their daily lives. If you are in the area, stop by between 8:00 AM and 2:30 PM so you can experience for yourself the serenity of our space. We think you will be glad you did.

Services Report for First Quarter of Operation

2008-01-10 22:02:57

The Tompson Center provides the following services to the homeless in downtown New Orleans:
- laundry
- showers
- restrooms
- hygiene kits
- telephone (local and long distance)
- medical care
- mental health services
- legal aid / notary services
- referrals and miscellaneous services

From 9/11/07 - 12/31/07:
- 1,647 people washed clothes
- 5,026 people took a shower
- 2,527 hygiene kits were distributed
- 63,870 minutes have been used on the phones
- 357 people have received medical care
- 183 people have received mental health services
- 311 people have received legal aid/notary services
- 10,622 people have come to the Tompson Center and have received a total of 20,076 services (does not include phone calls, referrals, or the distribution of various services, such as reading glasses, tokens and first aid supplies)

These totals average out to:
- 23 people washing their clothes every day
- 67 people taking a shower every day
- 30 people receiving a hygiene kit every day
- 840 minutes of phone calls made every day
- 13 people receiving medical care two days a week
- 12 people receiving mental health services weekly
- 21 people receiving legal aid/notary services weekly
- 139 people come to the Tompson Center each day

Most, if not all, of the services we provide are not available anywhere else, which means the Harry Tompson Center is a vital resource to the homeless of New Orleans.

Running for the Harry Tompson Center

2008-01-10 21:58:56

A former resident of New Orleans who now lives in Washington, D.C. has a novel way to raise money for the Harry Tompson Center. Chris Byrd lived in New Orleans in the mid to late 80's and was very active in many justice issues while here. Well, Chris has been training for the past few months to run in the upcoming Mardi Gras Road Race on February 24, 2008 for the sole purpose of raising money for a worthy cause. It is important to note that Chris is not a regular distance runner and so this effort of his is quite an undertaking. He is getting his family and friends to pledge money for each kilometer he runs in the race and half of what he raises will go to the Harry Tompson Center (the other half will go to another worthy cause here in N.O.). If you would like to support Chris' efforts, you can also pledge money for each kilometer he runs, but your pledges would go entirely to the Tompson Center. If you would like to support Chris as a way of raising money for us, you can call (504) 273-5547 x 135 or email Don Thompson at dthompson@harrytompsoncenter.org with your pledge. Every little bit helps us help those who are in such great need. Many, many thanks to Chris for his generosity and for all his hard work in getting ready for the race.