The Way Station at
Palmer Memorial Episcopal Church
On the patio of Palmer Memorial Episcopal Church, Way Station volunteers serve a hot breakfast five mornings a week, fifty-two weeks a year, to Houston's hungry and homeless people.
You may make a "secure" donation to the Way Station online by clicking here.
History
The Way Station began in 1989, when the vestry of Palmer Church was charged with developing a program to assist the homeless who gathered at the church for help. Five clients came in the first week, in January 1991, for coffee, water, instant hot cereal, juice, cheese crackers, and a cup of soup. Now, 17 years later, nearly 300 clients a day, receive a traditional hot breakfast, prepared on-site, such as scrambled eggs, pancakes, grits, hearty soups and casseroles, and ham, as well as coffee and juice. After their meal, our clients may receive medical and mental health services and referrals to community resources that serve their physical, psychological, and spiritual needs.
Mission
The mission of the Way Station is to care for the hungry and homeless by feeding them and treating them with love, dignity, and respect. We believe that people who experience themselves as lovable, dignified, and worthy are better able to access resources to fulfill their God-given potential.
Vision
The vision of the Way Station is that the corner of Main Street and MacGregor Way will be the Kingdom of God, where people will view themselves and one another as precious to God and to themselves.
The Hospitality of the Way Station
Around the fountain on the patio of Palmer Memorial Episcopal Church, each weekday morning at eight o'clock, the Way Station welcomes hungry and homeless men, women, and children to enjoy a nourishing, delicious breakfast and a respite from the streets.
► A hot, nourishing breakfast prepared and served by Way Station volunteers
► Access to a mailing address, a telephone, and restrooms
► Toiletries such as soap, shampoo, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and razors
► Referrals to agencies that provide items such as clothes and identification cards
► Bus service
► Bible study and the Eucharist for those who wish
► Medical services and referrals.
"Thank you for everything you did to help me. You listened, you treated me with dignity, and you helped me overcome obstacles. I never felt a burden to you."
The Way Station is an on-going program supported partially by Palmer Church. Palmer provides the building space, administrative support, equipment, utilities, volunteer base, furniture and some financial support. We appeal for outside funding from foundations and individual donors to provide the balance of the support we need. We invite you to join us in helping our clients overcome obstacles to an abundant life. Please send a check payable to the Way Station or click on the link here to make a donation online.
Also, we would love your help on the patio.
Join us as a volunteer for one of the many and varied jobs at the Way Station, including:
► cooking and serving breakfast
► distributing toiletries
► leading Bible study
► interacting with clients
► fundraising
► publicity
The Way Station has established a Sponsor-a-Day program to fund its services and to recognize a premier circle of donors. A gift of $1,000 for a day sponsorship or $5,000 for a week sponsorship will pay for everyone who comes to the Way Station (three to four hundred people daily) to experience every component of the program for a day or a week. By becoming a sponsor, you and your company will participate in this important work, and will be recognized for its compassionate relationship to the community.
Furthermore, you may send volunteers to work during your day or week of sponsorship—or at any other time that is convenient. Serving at the Way Station will be a powerful teamwork and bonding experience for participants from you or your company and Way Station staff and seasoned volunteers will be there to guide them in preparing breakfast and serving on the "chow line" or in other capacities.
Your generous contribution will be recognized in the Sunday bulletin of Palmer Church and in the weekly church email newsletter, which reach more than one thousand people. You or your company's name will also be posted at the Way Station's entrance gate. For information on sponsoring and volunteering, please see the attached forms.
We invite you, our valued friend, to sponsor a day or a week at the Way Station, one of Houston's great programs in service to the hungry and homeless.
Click here to download an individual signup form for the Sponsor-a-Day program.
Click here to download a corporate signup form for the Sponsor-a-Day program.