Center serves Troy's needy from upper room

Every morning for the past 20 years, the homeless have gathered in Troy's "upper room."

Bethany Hospitality Center, a day shelter located on a second floor, was founded in 1985 by two Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, Maria Cokely and Rita Shawn. Now maintained independently with ecumenical support, it recently celebrated its 20th anniversary.

Open seven days a week, 7 a.m.-3 p.m., the center serves free breakfasts and lunches. But that's only the start of the assistance being offered.

No routine

"We're here to help [the needy] get through the day," said Lori Houston, Bethany's director for 17 years. "The routine is that there's no routine. To say it's a soup kitchen doesn't cut it. I call it a sanctuary.

"We are not going to solve all the problems of the world. But if you're supportive and you give it your best, you hope it eventually snowballs."

Those who come to the Center are often mentally ill, addicted to drugs or alcohol, or homeless. There, they can access counseling, workshops, advice and referrals.

Hand-out and hand-up

Bethany Center employees won't press, but they will "extend [their] hand," Ms. Houston explained. "Some people want to be on the fringe. Some only want to use the bathroom. We introduce ourselves and leave it at that.

"You approach someone and give them space to find you. You have to build trust. They have such challenging stories and horrific backgrounds. This is their community."

An example is Evelyn, who is hearing-impaired. She is one of the 1,500 people who came through the center's doors in 2005 and one of its 500 "regulars." She often spends her time in bookkeeper Diane DeVoe's office, making baby blankets for her co-workers at a fast-food restaurant.

Another regular is Barbara Gilbert of Troy, who said, "They help me out with clothes, food -- everything. They're very good people. I come nearly every day to eat lunch."

Volunteers

The staff includes Ms. DeVoe, a parishioner of St. Mary's Church in Crescent. Originally anxious about getting involved, she soon found that she liked the work.

"I met alcoholics and addicts and the most wonderful people, and was joking with all of them," she said. "After that, you couldn't keep me away."

Many volunteers hear about the Center from their churches. For instance, Angie Urbano, a parishioner of St. Joan of Arc parish in Menands, serves as a kitchen volunteer. Other parishes represented by donations or volunteers include Corpus Christi in Round Lake, St. Bonaventure's in Speigletown and St. John the Baptist in Valatie.

Guests

The Center's "guests" include people like:

* Irene Rock, who comes because she's having trouble getting a full-time job. "There aren't many places to go, except for the library," she said.

* Steve Tumlin, who considers Bethany a haven and who used to help with the cooking during summer fundraisers. "The weather and the elements, I'm too old for that," he said. "I'm getting too sick. Bethany's important to me."

* Joyce Cannon, a 79-year-old widow who said, "I like it here because I meet people. I used to be shy, but I'm not shy anymore."

* Julie Acevedo, who finds a lot of emotional and practical support at the Center, which is near the career development center she attends.

* Eric, who is in his twenties, unemployed and questioning what's going to happen to him. At his first meal at the Center, he admitted, "I'm in a pickle. I have to get my own place, and I don't know where to go. Your bills are almost as much as your rent."

* Doug Lockrow, who noted, "If it weren't for Bethany, I'd be dead. They are here at 7 in the morning. Even if they had a hard day, they're here to help us."

'These people'

Ms. Houston said that she sometimes receives criticism from people who "think we enable [the needy]. They talk about 'these people.'

"Who is worthy of a nutritious meal or a safe place? If you define it like 'them and us,' you're not going to fit here. There is no 'us versus them.'

"When they've burned all of their bridges, there has to be a place where they can go, and that's what Bethany is."

(Bethany Center relies on federal funding and individual donations. It purchases food from the Regional Food Bank and operates on the same basis as its clientele: day to day. Bethany Center has a clothes closet, which is always in need of socks, hats and gloves, and thermal underwear. To help, call 273-3529.)

(2/16/06) [[In-content Ad]]