Congregation Brightens Lives of Homeless

A Northshore congregation is digging in to make the lives of some homeless families brighter.

Dozens of members of Congregation Sinai spent a cool Sunday morning at the Family Support Center, a shelter for homeless families operated by the Social Development Commission. The members of the temple located on North Port Washington Road in River Hills have adopted the homeless facility for the year. Past work by Congregation Sinai members at the center include painting, carpentry work and the making of homemade children’s blankets.

The latest project focused on planting vegetable and flowers at the homeless shelter. Congregation members carefully planted brightly colored flower beds, planters, and a vegetable garden that included tomatoes, lettuce, peppers, onions and carrots for the home. They also brought outdoor toys for the children of the shelter to enjoy on the facility’s playground.

Ivy Goodman of Congregation Sinai was one of the day’s organizers. She said the work that the temple has done at the homeless shelter has been fulfilling and rewarding. The synagogue began working last fall with the shelter after approaching the Social Development Commission, wanting to do a series of service projects. Staff at the center say the efforts of Congregation Sinai have made a real difference in the lives of the families who are trying to regain independence.

For more information on the Family Support Center, visit the Social Development Commission website at www.cr-sdc.org, click on the “Our Programs” page, and then on the “Family Support” tab.