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The FOGHORN
ROTARY CLUB OF HALF MOON BAY
October 5 , 2017
ERIC DEBODE - Abundant Grace and the Homeless
Article by Joe Brennan
Photos by Renee Lewis
(Editor's Note: Eric DeBode is the executive director of Abundant Grace Coastside Worker. He is a native Californian, and a graduate of Santa Clara University. And has lived here for over 6 years. Since his arrival he has developed Abundant Grace in many ways. His passion has been working with the homeless since he was a teenager, and his dream here is to open a day center for the homeless to take care of their basic daily needs and make the steps necessary toward recovery, well-being, employment and housing.)
Eric began by pointing out that he has been a community member for some seven years and has reached critical mass of friends and depth of karma. He earned the Service above Self award five years ago. he was in Europe for the 500th anniversary of Luther in Vittenburg. He was in a hotel whose lobby was decorated with a corpulent statue of Luther and a Rotary display by the club who met there.
He opened with a poem by Daniel Berrigan, an American Jesuit priest, anti-war activist, and poet, whom Eric had met and knew. The theme was the notion of meeting over bread, the communion of this simple inter-human activity.
Eric was himself a Jesuit for nine years. Both then and now he finds his most rewarding work around work, hospitality and food. He highlighted three of his programs/projects:
- Free Community Breakfast on Wednesday and Thursday from 6 to 9am attended by around 100 per day. Roughly 90% are Latino workers.
- Homeless programs include getting housing, employment and food from local farms. They sponsor Dignity on Wheels for its weekly visit to provide showers and laundry
- Farm program with Potrero Nuevo Farms of Bill and Christina cultivates 12 ares and employees 45 people creating lots of food for the community
A program he began last year is a woman's leadership program called Mujeres Adalante in Spanish. This is an eight week course supported by a 3 year grant. It addresses Affordable Housing, Immigration reform and number of other issues serving their community.
Eric points out that he does his work and has his programs, but it is the Stories resulting from the human interactions and connections which are most poignant and rewarding. He related three examples:
- A story of a hard working man who was down on his luck and came to his meals and meetings for a while and then went through a marked transformation. Eric asked him what had happened and he simply said "I finally realized I was worth more" and explained that he had been loved into being a better person.
- He told the story of a homeless woman named Natalie who was living iiin a run down camper but was able to get a housing voucher which transformed her life.
- Eric asked Robert a PSTD troubled vet with a bad back who lived behind Safeway what his dream would be to get out of his dire circumstances. Robert said getting himself sober and moving back to his native Missouri and live off the land. This became his focus and he was able over a few years to save $500 to buy an RV for the trip andachieve the move. He has sent Eric letters and photos of his nine acres in a rural area near Lake of the Ozarks. He still has trouble sleeping but he is much happier with himself and situation.
Eric works on Hot Team of Counselors trying to solve peoples problems: housing first, then counseling, health, employment etc. "Accompaniement" is love in action and the foundation of his work. He offered a quote from Dorothy Day of the Catholic Worker from Dostoyeveski:
"Love in action is a harsh dreqdful thing in life vs, in dreams"
There are lots of concerns from the community, especially during the rains. he is working to establish a Rainy DAy Center for comfort and support to be open during rain and the day after to dry out. It is a step toward more long term solutions...
Short Q&A
How many homeless in HMB? Count was 84 three years ago, 41 now
Do you take used clothing? No they no longer take clothing - should go to St Vincent de Paul
Bingo benefitting Abundant Grace will be held October 24th in PCC from 6 to 8:30PM
Eric handed out Abundant Grace's newsletter.
Contacts: Abundant Grace, Coastside Worker
PO Box 702
Half Moon Bay
CA 94019
OCTOBER 5, 2017 Meeting Recap
Article by Ginger Minoletti
Photos by Renee Lewis
Call to Order – President Warren, who also announced he was eliminating the red marble, thought it was a negative. He did not show a video this week, but reminded us of DG Ron Gin’s video challenge.
National Anthem was led by Ed Daniels
Our Greeters were PP Dave Andrews and Brian Lee with PP Kevin O' Brien helping out. Inspirational Thought: Dave said a prayer for all who have suffered from the hurricanes, fires and now the aftermath of the horrendous shooting in Las Vegas.
Pin Pig and Polio Jar were passed and Pres Warren reminded us we are this close to eliminating Polio worldwide and how important the eradication of Polio and our efforts are. There are very few cases left in just 3 countiries.
Visitors and Guests:
Eric de Bode (our speaker), Ayn Johnston and Jan from Pilarcitos HS. And our very own adorable Louise and Raffa.
Happy/Not So Happy News
Ginger glad to be back from a trip to Switzerland and Italy, where she visited our RYE student from 2013/2014, Valentina Catarsi. She spent 3 days with Valentina and her family eating wonderful food and enjoying their company.
Irwin went to investigate why his grandson was so quiet and discovered that the 4 year old had taken off the training wheels on his bike!
John Evans spent Saturday with 11 of the 13 RYE students, and they bicycled from the Ferry building to the Golden Gate Bridge. He managed to encounter some of the other students and hopes to have them come and help out at Pumpkin Festival Chowder booth.
Announcements
Foundation Chair Kevin reminded us of the District Foundation Event on October 21st at the SF Wax Museum. He and Debbie are going and encouraged us all to join him. Warren quizzed us on the date for World Polio Day – and Raffa won the prize guessing (or reading) correctly 10/24.
Our Youth Exchange students reported on their activities of the prior week.
Louise played tennis against a tough opponent – but it lasted 3 sets 5-7, 6-4 and then 9-11. Her coach was very pleased! And she had to write a monologue for drama class, which she read to us.
Raffa – with his new haircut – was able to attend a Stanford football game with host dad Phil Rogren – thanks to Steve Wilson’s tickets! And Stanford won. And he scored in water polo for the first time – even though the team lost.
Membership A new member application has been accepted by the Board and circulated by Membership Chair Linda Crose-Anderson. Pres Warren encouraged all of us to invite prospects to come to our lunch.
Teresa Adam introduced Jane from Pilarcitos to describe the Little Coyote/Big Coyote program and try to geta few more members involved. It only requires 30 minutes twice a month for a Rotarian or other community member to meet with a student and mentor them. The initial meeting also involves the student’s contract teacher.
Contact Teresa for more information.
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Reminder – Pumpkin Festival is coming!!!
Now just a few days away. Each member needs to sign up for two shifts. Paul is very happy with all the support he is getting with the coordination of the event. Everyone needs to participate at the preparation evening on Friday, October 13th at 5pm. So save the dates (OCTOBER 15, 16, and 17) and plan to be there or pay up. Sign up early and often to get the shifts that you want. Marble Drawing
Mary C. had the lucky number – but not luck in the draw.
COMING EVENTS AND SPEAKERS
OCTOBER
OCT 12 Club Assembly - Final Pumpkin Festival preparations
OCT 13-15 All Hands On Deck! Pumpkin Festival Chowder Booth
OCT 19 Club Social - Celebrating Pumpkin Festival Success
OCT 24 World Polio Day
OCT 26 Speaker: Jane Yuster, State of Cabrillo Unified School District
PHOTO GALLERY