Next week has been designated as a "Week of Compassion" in the city of Goshen. Beginning Monday, Nov. 1 and continuing through Sunday, Nov. 7, local organizations The Window and The Center for Healing and Hope will be raising awareness for the needs of struggling families here in Goshen. As of 2006, the poverty rate in Goshen was 13.2 percent, which would include 4,300 people. One quarter of those people are children.
According to the event's website, "The focus of the week is to raise the community's awareness of the needs of many of our neighbors. The city of Goshen continues to have families and individuals who have daily struggles to have access to food, clothing and medical care."
There are many opportunities to participate in this event, a full listing of which is available at www.goshenweekofcompassion.com. Some events are happening on Goshen College campus; there will be boxes set up to collect used clothing from students and containers for students to donate quarters. The "Quarters 4 Kids" drive strives to collect one quarter for each person living under the poverty line; in Goshen, one quarter of that percentage is children.
On Saturday Nov. 7, there will be a benefit concert at College Mennonite Church, including performances by the Goshen High School Crimsonaires, Goshen Community Chorale, Goshen High School Jazz Ensemble and Chamber Orchestra, Goshen College Voices in Harmony and the Bethany Christian High School women's choir. The show will start at 7:30 at College Mennonite Church and food, clothing or quarters may be dropped off at College Church that night as well.
Many downtown businesses have time periods when they donate a portion of their proceeds to the cause. On Monday and Tuesday, Nov. 1 and 2, between 5 and 10 p.m., the Electric Brew will donate 50 percent of their proceeds to the Week of Compassion. Also be sure to stop by The Window and The Center for Healing and Hope on First Friday to see their exhibits and learn about all the ways you can contribute that evening.
If you have questions or are interested in volunteering, whether for the week or long term, contact recent Goshen alumnus Vanessa Hershberger ('10), who currently serves as a patient advocate at the Center for Healing and Hope, at goshenadvocate@chhgoshen.org.
