By Tunomukwathi Asino

“We don’t believe there are neighbors struggling to find a place to stay, if we do we believe it’s someone else’ problem,” said Charles Dumas, Esq., Associate Professor of Theatre at Penn state, addressing about 30 men and women attending “ Storyfest” on Monday December 14 at Sozo on E. Beaver Avenue. The first annual “Storyfest” was organized by the Bridge of Hope of Centre County.

“Storyfest” was an open mic night whereby storytellers told stories around the theme “Going Home.” The aim was to benefit people that do not have homes in Centre County. It was organized by Bridge of Hope and Keystone church and ministries.

Dumas was the master of ceremonies of “Storyfest.” Asked why he decided to get involved he said it’s a subject that is of concern and he is interested as a citizen of Centre County. Dumas said he came from New York, grew up in Chicago and was homeless himself.

Dumas said he and his wife lived in Mali [a country in West Africa], “one of the poorest countries in a small village but nobody was homeless,” but in “the greatest, most prosperous country we have neighbors that are homeless.”

Dumas also mentioned how during the Great Depression people were not blaming each other. The poor were not blaming the rich for their misfortunes, but now those unemployed it was regarded as their fault.

Dumas also told a story about how he was in New York waiting for the train, and there was a homeless woman who bought coffee with dimes and nickels, but around 5 a. m the woman was dragged out of the station, her coffee spilling because she did not have a ticket. He bought her the cheapest ticket, but the same police officers that chased her out earlier chased her out again. The woman told them that she had a ticket but they did not listen, her coffee that a passenger had bought for her, spilling as she was dragged out of the station by police officers.

Bridge of Hope aims to prevent homeless for single mothers in Centre County.

Perry Babb told a story about growing up in a single home. His church has set a site 28 acres of land that will be used for assisted living. The project was started with Babb realizing that it does not take much to help single mothers.

Kris Santillo, a case manager for Bridge of Hope, said Bridge of Hope assist women set goals, earn higher income, budgeting and how to take care of emotional health. The women are also assisted with renting over an 18 month period, with the first month being paid for. Women are also assisted with job hunting.

Santillo spoke about Bridge of Hope’s three -way partnership which she said was like a triangle. The three-way partnership model consists of trained, church-based mentoring group, homeless or at-risk women and their children, and professional staff.

Mentors get four hours of training and make regular phone contact. The mentors’ role is to be a friend; according to Santillo the difference is having that support. A video was also shown with different women sharing their stories. The event was free with donations being accepted.

More information about the Bridge of Hope can be found on this link: http://www.bohcc.org/index.htm.