Bridgeport Rescue Mission Volunteer Day

On Wednesday, July 14, a group of Corporate IMLPs and interns volunteered on four-hour shifts at the Bridgeport Men’s Rescue Mission in Bridgeport, CT. The first shift began at 8am despite some heavy rain at the time! We met up with Marion Schrade, a manager at the Mission who introduced us to many of the Mission’s residents. She then took us on a tour of the facility, taking us through the kitchen that serves over 1,400 meals a day, the event room which serves as both a classroom and spiritual room, and the various housing sections of the facility which house both short term and longer term residents. It was very interesting to learn about this complex operation and the services that it provides.

We then moved outside to begin our volunteering activity: helping to build a Pergola (outdoor patio) for the residents. The base framing for the patio was already in place thanks to a previous group of GE volunteers, so our first job was to fill this area with layers of stone dust (or SDM – “Stone Dust Material” – as our group referred to it to give it an official GE acronym). Once the SDM was laid, we pressed it and leveled it to set the foundation for the patio.

When the first shift was over, some of us joined the residents for delicious “mission-made” lobster ravioli, cooked by the Mission’s head chef. Once lunch was complete, the second shift of volunteering began back out at the rising Pergola. Our second group of volunteers finished the leveling process and laid the pavers for the patio.

I believe I can speak on behalf of our entire group in saying that this was a great experience. We enjoyed spending time with the residents and contributing to the patio build. We look forward to future opportunities to work with the Bridgeport Rescue Mission.

Photos from the event can be found here: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=249226&id=191491423326&ref=mf

-Kaitlin Lambracht