Raise the Roof for Homelessness opens March 3
Immanuel Shelter has partnered with Clear Space Theatre, several local businesses and a select group of regional musical artists to offer the community a weekend of entertainment with a focus on raising awareness and funds in support of the homeless community.
Friday, March 3, kicks off the weekend with a Raise the Roof concert, featuring performances by award-winning folk artist/songwriter Julie Clark, The Girlfriends, Maryland favorite Red Letter Day, and the Philly-famous Darkes Band. Doors open at 7 p.m. at Epworth UM Church in Rehoboth Beach. Tickets are available in advance online at immanuelshelter.org, or at the door space permitting, for $30 each or two for $50. Sponsors of the event include Nage Restaurant and Jimmy's Grill, both of whom will give ticket holders a 15 percent off their dinner meals the night of the concert when ticket(s) are shown at the time of ordering. CAMP Rehoboth is also an event sponsor.
Immanuel shelters homeless men and woman, offering warm from the winter elements, meals, hot showers, clean bedding as well as many the daily needs so many take for granted. Individuals are not discriminated against based on sexual orientation, race, religion, physical or mental special needs. Homeless children, when accompanied by one or both parents are sheltered in local hotels as funds permit.
Over the weekend, in collaboration with Immanuel, Clear Space Theatre is presenting an adaptation of “Cardboard Stories” by Watkins and Penn. The play pulls homelessness to the forefront, sharing the story of a young women who ages out of foster care and the homeless community she finds herself in while struggling to make her way. The play will run Saturday and Sunday, March 4-5; purchase $50 tickets by going to www.clearspacetheatre.org.
All concert and 50 percent of play proceeds will benefit Immanuel Shelter. The need in the community is great, with over 50 percent of those locally served having employment but are unable to bridge the financial gap required to secure permanent housing. The Homeless Planning Council of Delaware showed that Jan. 29, 2015, a total of 87 households,149 individuals, experienced homelessness in Sussex County; over 10,000 families are severely cost burdened, paying more than 50 percent of their income on housing costs; more than 4,000 families are living in substandard or overcrowded conditions; and a growing number of moderate income homeowners are also challenged by increasing local housing costs.
