Family Matters June 2014

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OCTOBER 2013

Family matters Another Successful Gala & Auction On April 28 we held our 17th annual Gala & Auction and what a night it was! Good food, great friends and wonderful entertainment.

From the raffles and silent and live auctions to the exciting musical performance by the alumni from the Broadway Company of Jersey Boys, we were on our feet dancing and having a great time! Thank you to all who came to support this event and the work we do to end homelessness in Philadelphia.

We depend on the generosity of our donors to keep us going. We are great stewards of the money we raise, spending 90 cents out of every dollar directly on programs and services for homeless and formerly homeless individuals.

We're so close to reaching our goal! Will you consider making a donation to help us get there? You can give online by clicking here, call us at 215-985-1600, or send a check to Bethesda Project, Attention: Gala & Auction, 1630 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146.

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17th Annual Gala & Auction: What a fun night!

Below are a just a few of the pictures from gala night. For more photos, please visit our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/BethesdaProject.

Bethesda Project welcomes new development director We’re happy to welcome Kathy Meck to the Bethesda Project family. In her role as Director of Development, Kathy will spearhead fundraising initiatives including securing major gifts, corporate and foundation grants and individual giving campaigns. Kathy joins us after serving as the Director of Development & Marketing at Center for Literacy.

She brings a proven toolbox of fundraising savvy, coupled with strategic development skills. Recognizing the synergy of brand awareness and fundraising, Kathy strives to integrate creativity into best practices. You can reach Kathy at 215-985-1600 ext. 203 or by email at kmeck@bethesdaproject.org.

Annual Report now available The 2013 Annual Report, titled The Many Faces of Bethesda Project, is now available online. You may download a PDF copy by visiting our website, www.bethesdaproject.org and clicking on About Us, then Financials. For donors who contributed in fiscal year 2013, a printed copy has been mailed.

For more information about contributions or to speak with a member of our development department, please call 215-985-1600 or email development@bethesdaproject.org.

Thank you for your continued support of Bethesda Project, a caring family for Philadelphia’s homeless!

New video showcases the “Many Faces of Bethesda Project” Photographer Bryan Karl Lathrop has captured many images over the years of residents and guests, volunteers, donors and staff. These images are captured in a new video titled Faces of Bethesda Project.

We hope you enjoy it!

To watch the new video, please visit our YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/user/BethesdaProject.

All-Staff Gathering Over the course of the two-day All-Staff Gathering, 94 of Bethesda Project’s full and part-time workers got back to the basics of compassion and competence.

Following Fr. Domenic’s inspiring keynote presentation on Bethesda Project’s deep spiritual roots, workshop leaders led the participants through a serious of sessions focused on the practical side of the organization’s daily work. During the luncheon meal, the Bethesda Medal was presented to new staff and later on afternoon sessions provided space for personal sharing and reflection.

We are grateful to our friends at the historic Mask and Wig Theater, just around the corner from Bethesda Project’s first residence on Spruce Street, who hosted this year’s All-Staff Gathering. This unique and conveniently located venue added a fresh new dimension to this annual event, which took place on May 14-15.

Malvern Retreat For the fourth consecutive year, Malvern Retreat House extended its hospitality to 40 ‘Men in Transition’ from Bethesda Project and St. John’s Hospice. This annual overnight event, which took place May 21-22, has become a fixture in our residents’ social calendar. Men from St. John’s, Our Brothers’ Place, My Brother’s House, Bethesda Bainbridge, Bethesda North Broad, and Connelly House took full advantage of the 120-acre retreat grounds and facilities for quiet reflection and speaker and audio-visual presentations. Leaders affiliated with Neumann University and trained in spiritual direction accompanied the men throughout the retreat, offering opportunities for personal and group sharing.

The theme of this year’s retreat was ‘Finding God in Our Human Experience’ and the overwhelming impression was that the men did just that. Bethesda Project thanks Jim Fitzsimmons and the staff of the Malvern Retreat House for their generous outpouring of love. Our men came home from Malvern with a much keener sense of how much they are loved and respected.

Top honors for Misty Sparks, Director of Entry Level Programs Each year One Step Away’s editorial board and advisory committee honors those working to bring Philadelphia one step closer to ending homelessness. Congratulations to Misty Sparks, Bethesda Project’s Director of Entry Level Programs for winning the 2014 Steppy “Heroes for the Homeless” Award from One Step Away!

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1630 South Street Philadelphia, PA 19146 Tel: (215) 985-1600 Fax: (215) 732-8214 www.bethesdaproject.org