For better or worse, Peace House Community keeps setting records for the number of community members we host. Through the end of October, we hosted almost 10% more members this year than we did in 2024. Even more impressive (or depressing, depending on how you look at it), we’re hosting 300% more members than we hosted in 2019, when we started keeping track of the numbers.
The need for PHC continues to grow. More people than ever are struggling to meet their basic physical needs like food and shelter. But just as importantly, they are struggling to find a place to belong. Our community members are not welcomed in many public spaces, either because they can’t afford to be there or because they just don’t look like they belong. The stigma of being an outsider would wear on anybody, but for those who carry that stigma 24 hours a day, it can be emotionally debilitating.
While PHC sometimes struggles to meet our members’ needs as effectively as we did in the past, we still do a pretty good job of making people feel welcome. Thanks to generous donors, we make sure everyone who is hungry gets fed. Our volunteers continue to massage hands, repair bikes, tend to emotional and physical wounds, and share a smile with those who need it.
I have to admit that there are days when working at PHC is draining. It’s not always easy to stay positive when you see so many people needing so much. Some of our members bring their stress into the building and dump it on us. At those times, I remind myself of the struggles they are facing, and how light my burdens are compared with theirs. I also remind myself of all our supporters who are encouraging and supporting us in our mission. Knowing that you are behind us caring about our community members and sharing the load with us makes a difference.
Thank-you for being there for our members, and for being there for us.