HOSPITALITY CENTER CELEBRATES TENTH ANNIVERSARY HONORING VOLUNTEERS

On June 5, 2008, the Interfaith Hospitality Center at the Elmira Correctional Facility hosted its tenth annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner at Appleridge Manor in Horseheads. The Center started operation in 1997 with a completely volunteer staff under the supervision of a paid part-time Site Coordinator. These volunteers continue to be the backbone of our ability to provide for the needs of the visitors, primarily women and small children, who last year numbered 12,254.

As part of the Center’s celebration of the volunteers who staff the Center, which is open Saturdays, Sundays and several major holidays each year, the members of the Board were also honored for the work they do to keep the Hospitality Center operational financially and administratively. Comprised of 15 individuals from diverse backgrounds and faith communities, the Center Board contributes to the volunteer hours which keep the Hospitality Center running. Our two part-time staff members do an admirable job of supervising the actual work entailed in providing a warm and welcoming shelter, wholesome snacks, storage lockers, a comfortable waiting area, changing facilities, a play area for children and assistance with forms and procedures mandated by the Correctional Facility. This year we welcomed four new Board members (see Board Members link).

Our Guest Speaker for this annual event was Andrea Morrell, a doctoral candidate in Anthropology at the City University of New York’s Graduate Center. Andrea has been involved with the Hospitality Center during the past year as part of her research for her doctoral dissertation on Prison town: Prisons and Economic Development in Elmira, NY. (Andrea’s picture is among the number of candid shots taken at the dinner which follow.)