November 2023 News

When planning began for this month's newsletter, the efforts of the Maine Homeless Remembrance Blanket Project group stood out with their mini display of blankets in the Maine state capital Hall of Flags. Since the blankets will be travelling to Harrisburg, PA for this year's event on December 21st, they held this early event in their home state. Little did we know at the time that Maine would become the focus of yet another senseless act of gun violence. Our love goes out to all of the unhoused who would have been unable to shelter in place during the manhunt and to our caring blanket makers from Maine. Although not intended as a feature in the Homeless Remembrance Blanket Project newsletter this month, it suddenly makes sense to also highlight the new book, American Roulette, released on October 24th. Tragically, this work of fiction speaks to the events of the past week. Unfortunately, in America, it probably speaks to events that happen all to often. We include a link below for you to visit the American Roulette website and buy a copy of your own of this important story. And no, this isn't shameless self promotion - it's an opportunity to expand the dialogue about gun violence with proceeds raised to help end the madness. All profits will be directed to efforts supporting sensible gun reforms.

We still need blankets - if you have any you would like to get into this year's display in Pennsylvania from another state and want help, give us a shout by emailing us at epicjourney10@gmail.com. Your creation should be seen as we make this effort to open others' eyes to the plights of the unhoused.

The Paving the Way to Educational Success Conference held in Mars, PA from October 11-13 provided a fitting backdrop for promoting information about the Homeless Remembrance Blanket Project. On the Early Learning Resource Center website, the conference was billed as "Unique learning opportunity to support children and youth experiencing homelessness and students experiencing foster care." The conference encouraged attendance from school district homeless liaisons; foster care points of contact; child welfare agency education liaisons and private providers; shelter staff and staff in congregate care settings; early education, head start staff, and K-12 educators; school social workers and counselors; pupil services personnel, post-secondary staff, and any professionals working with children and youth experiencing homelessness or children and youth experiencing foster care. Special thanks to Charles Bruce Foundation board member who facilitated the drawing of hundreds of squares that will be sewn together to make nearly a dozen blankets! We were grateful to have the opportunity to attend and share our important message. If you are aware of any other organizations (libraries, civic groups, churches) that might be interested in learning more about the plights of the unhoused or the efforts of the Homeless Remembrance Blanket Project, please use the link below to contact us and request a presentation.

The Charles Bruce Foundation has had a long-standing relationship with Supportive Partnerships for Youth (SPY). In fact, if you look below at the list of our Homeless Remembrance Blanket Project supporters, SPY is prominently featured. During this year's annual SPY summer camp, young people used their artistic skills to design individual squares for a blanket that will be featured in the Harrisburg event on December 21st. What better display of love could an unhoused person receive that this?