Welcome House of South County
Letter from the Executive Director

Hello Welcome House Supporters. Welcome to our new and updated web site. It has been a bit problematic getting to this point but, with the wonderful assistance of a local company (South County Computers, 401-667-2571) who read our “Needs” board…and responded. We are up and back in the Web Site business.

I have always felt that communication with the community is so very important. Letting you know what is happening at Welcome House, the trends we are seeing, and the current needs of the agency are necessary for this agency to meld with the community, and announce anything fun coming up. All of the above will follow.

Welcome House has just received a building permit for our property located at 10 North Rd. This permit will allow us to upgrade the old Hockhousen family house. The upgrade of this property has been in the works for several years. This building is going to be an administration building, housing my office, a Board of Directors meeting room and a small staff meeting room. We are very excited to be able to use what has been a temporary office for its original planned purpose, a medical office. And the Wakefield Rotarians are building the Handicap ramp very soon. Anyone want to help pick out colors and curtains? Stop by and see it.

Three months ago we announced our continuous “Drive Thru Fund Raiser” A campaign to collect pennies and other coinage. It adds up. And in this economy every single penny counts. A BIG thanks to Bank Newport who, when they heard about the “change” drive, offered to have the change counted at no charge. Just drive thru and drop your change off in the black barrel. What a Great community we reside in. So get some exercise……bend over and pick up that penny, collect them and donate them to Welcome House.

Our web site was not up during our 19th annual WALK for SHELTER. This year’s guest “kick off person” was none other than South Kingstown’s Town Manager Mr. Steve Alfred. Thank you very much, Steve. It was great fun having you there….you're very funny Mr. Alfred.  The annual Good Friday event raised over $9,500 of operating money (utilities, food, drug tests, and medications) for our emergency shelter. It also brought together donations from: Citizens Bank, Ocean State Job Lot, Attorneys Marasco & Nesselbush, the Richmond Grange #6, Washington Trust Bank, Pier Pizza, Bagelz, Tim Horton’s, Ted Sorlien Entertainment, Peace Dale Congregational Church, Applebee’s, Wakefield Prescription, Belmont Market, Chelo’s, Print Source, Olympic Physical Therapy and Graphic Expressions. See what I mean, a great community. Thank you to all. Please thank them for their support of your local emergency shelter.

And the Richmond Grange # 6 hosted their 4th annual Sat Night Roast Beef Dinner in May, raising over $1,500 for our agency. Welcome House Board members served the meal and as usual the meal was amazing, affordable and the Johnny cakes were just too good to be true. Over $1,500 was raised.

The 2008 Holidays were also amazing. Our 15 families and 24 singles were all sponsored by community members, civic groups, schools and employee’s of the town of South Kingstown. From foods to Gift Cards, to volunteering to cook meals the entire holiday season was more than we could have expected or hoped for. Thank you to all who contributed.

Our daily Soup Kitchen is very much alive and serving the community. In the last 30 days alone we provided 100 more meals than the month before. 57% working people.

Hope Ann Welcome is a 2.5 year old Mastiff with a touch of German Shepherd. Hope is the Director of Security at Welcome House. She sleeps with the overnight person 7 days a week, greets new people at the door with a very low alarming bark, is fine once she is formally introduced and loves her biscuits. She is treated weekly with very large raw bones (no cooked bones) and daily with biscuits and cookies (oatmeal/raisin only). Hope is considered a staff person and we have actually written out Warnings for ignoring her needs, being mean to her or not making sure she has fresh water at all times. Hope, along with alarmed doors and outside video cameras, makes us the most secure shelter in the state. Good Girl, Hope!
Hope turns 3 years old on July 21, 2009. We are giving her a "spa day". Muddy Paws, a local groomer, is coming to pretty her up on July 8th. Muddy Paws is a mobile groomer that comes to your home. The grooming is done right in your driveway. Great! This is Hope's Birthday present from the Staff and the Board.

Soup is Served -- For All
Welcome House of South County has opened their daily soup kitchen. We are serving soup and sandwiches to the anyone in the community, not just the homeless. We are open to the community and public at large; to anyone who wishes to share some conversation and a meal. Lunch is from noon til' 1:00pm  and we always welcome volunteer assistance. To volunteer, please call Megan @ 782-4770.