Volunteers, donations of clothing, and cash contributions are always needed!

We are asking men's units across the district to help in whatever way they can.

First... Some Facts

• What is the ministry all about?
• Who benefits?
• Where is it located?
• How did it begin?
• What would I get out of it if I volunteered?
• How often would I need to serve?
• What job would I do and what would it be like?
• Would I need any kind of training to do the job?
• Can I come and check it out before I commit?
• What happens if we don’t get anymore UMM volunteers?
• Who do I contact?
• What is its history?
  

What is the ministry all about? Volunteers perform in one or all of the following:

• Collect clothes from neighbors or church members,
• Sort/size clothing and labeling the pants with a tag.
• Handout the clothes to about 35 homeless men on Monday mornings. They present a filled out clothing request and the volunteer gives them choices of the types of clothing that has been requested.

Who benefits? I guess you could say all of us benefit. Those receiving have a need fulfilled and receive a blessing from friendly men handing out the clothing. The volunteers’ benefit because it is heartwarming to have your efforts appreciated by those who receive the clothes and now you realize it is a ministry and not a job. The fellowship with these volunteers is FUN.

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Where is it located? The “operation” is located at 7th and Neches. It is part of Austin Resources for the Homeless, also known as Front Steps. ARCH 500 East 7th, Front Steps 512-305-4100

How did it begin? In 1999 a member of Austin Area Interreligious Ministries approached Ralph Eckwall, Austin District UMM President at the time. Ralph was asked if the Methodist Men would consider operating a clothes closet for homeless men. Ralph received a favorable response from several men and agreed to the request. On October of 1999 the closet was in operation.

Churches, mostly Methodist, a synagogue, some Baptist, a few Presbyterian and individuals have been donating used clothing, new underwear and socks and monies. The Austin District United Methodist Men Meetings collect socks for homeless men that result in a very good supply.

The Austin District United Methodist Church, Tarrytown United Methodist Church and Crestview United Methodist Church and UMM have given a grants to supply the operation with needed furniture and fixtures.

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What would I get out of it if I volunteered? It is like anything, in that; you get out of it in proportion to what you put into it. There is great fellowship. There is a sincere sense of appreciation of those receiving clothing. There are “repeat” customers and you learn something about their challenges and thank God for your situation and condition. It will lead you into a closer walk with God in your daily life.

How often would I need to serve? This request for volunteers is intended to change the serving need to every other week or even more. Currently we have ten volunteers. It requires a minimum of six to operate the closet on Monday. With more we can be much more flexible. You chose the Mondays you want to work.

What job would I do and what would it be like? The jobs available are: Inspecting the clothes to use only those in good enough condition to hand out, sizing the clothes and hanging them on clothes hangers, stocking the distribution clothing racks, and serving the customers. The job for you is your choice and you will want to change around some. All of the jobs are important to overall operation of the clothes closet.

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Would I need any kind of training to do the job? The answer is yes. There are inspection criteria, measuring techniques and labeling guidelines that work best for this operation. You will have On-The-Job-Training and be working side by side with those who will be training you.

Can I come and check it out before I commit? The answer is yes. I would encourage you to check it out. We want you to know what is going on and feel comfortable before you commit. There is plenty for everyone to do. We think you will find the atmosphere and working conditions excellent. The hours are from 9:00 AM to noon on Mondays. We are always finished before noon.

What happens if we don’t get anymore UMM volunteers? This is a disturbing situation. Three of the current ten volunteers are charter members of this ministry. The “business” has increased. If we do not have more volunteers we will be forced to “turn-over” the operation to the staff of ARCH. We will remain in some form of a support role, but will not be serving the homeless men and it will become a job and not a ministry.

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Who do I contact? There are a few who would be glad to visit with you. To “keep-it-simple” contact Ralph Eckwall – H.phone 452-4933. email address is – eckwall@sbcglobal.net

What is its history? The Homeless Men’s Clothes Closet began distributing clothes on October 19, 1999. At that time the Homeless Foundation headed the “chain of command”. The facility for the homeless was managed by the Austin Resource Center for the Homeless. A member of the Homeless Foundation is the Austin Area Interreligious Ministries.

The AAIM had the idea to have a clothes closet for the homeless. A member of AAIM approached the Austin District United Methodist Men and asked if they would sponsor, build and operate a clothes closet for homeless men. The requested was accepted as a mission/ministry.

Men from Crestview UMC provided funding and effort to remodel space for stocking and distributing clothing at a site owned by the City of Austin at 5th and Rio Grande. The request went out to several churches for donation of clothing. On October 10, 1999 the clothes closet for homeless men opened for distribution.

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Some of the statistics beginning in October 1999 through May 2007:

• 1999 customers   =  638  
• 2000 customers   = 1759  cum  2397
• 2001 customers   = 1476  cum  3873
• 2002 customers   = 1987  cum  5860
• 2003 customers   = 1616  cum  7476
• 2004 customers   = 1220  cum  8696
• 2005 customers   = 1359  cum 10055
• 2006 customers   = 1221  cum 11276
• 2007 thru May    =  563  cum 11839   

More Facts:

• Volunteers for the clothes closet began with just three. There have been 19 different volunteers and today there are 10 regular volunteers. In addition, there are men who collect donations in their church and deliver to the ARCH location.
• Donations, in the early days, were from a few United Methodist Churches. Currently, end of 2002, there are many Methodist Churches, a Jewish community gives socks and underwear as part of their “undercover project”. There have been hundreds of pairs of white socks for homeless men donated at the quarterly United Methodist Men’s Austin District meetings. There are volunteers at churches to pick up congregation donations and deliver them to the closet. There have been monetary donations from individuals, Wal-Mart and K-Mart.
• In 2001 the closet was closed holidays and during the August/September time period when ARCH moved from 5th and Rio Grande to 4th and Nueces.
• During 2002 the Homeless Men’s Clothes Closet, organizationally, shifted to work directly with ARCH management. This enabled a more effective use of resources and material to better serve the homeless men.
• In 2003 “business remains busy” and we are beginning planning for the move to a newly constructed building close to The Salvation Army location, downtown Austin. We certainly could use volunteer helpers!
• In April 2004 ARCH moved to the current location at 500 East 7th street. The building is owned by the City of Austin and the staff is supported by grants from various charity organizations. This is a full service operation, in that, there are washers, dryers, lockers, counselors, medical, bunks, a cafeteria and conference rooms. It also provides an address and phone number for those homeless seeking employment.
  

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