As winter approaches, several hundred homeless men and women in Charlottesville are looking for a warm place to spend the cold weeks. Thanks to People and Congregations Engaged in Ministry (PACEM), the homeless are housed in a warm place with food and friends, to spare them from being left outside during the coldest weeks of the year.

With about 80 congregations and community groups supporting PACEM, it has become a popular trend in the church community. PACEM is a way for families at Western to get involved in their community while also helping out those in need. “It was right after Thanksgiving so my grandma made a big soup for them [homeless]. We brought cards for them to play,” said Sara Garcia, a junior, who volunteered for the event at St. Thomas Aquinas Church. “I liked seeing how the women were really grateful for our reaching out to them.”

For close to eleven years, PACEM has been providing both mentoring and comfort to men and women who have no other place to go. This non-profit organization gets their funding from local people, churches, community groups, businesses and foundations. Through the Haven, a local community center for homeless people, those in need can sign up with PACEM to stay at various churches during the winter.

In 2004, the first year of PACEM, the Homeless Census supported the idea of an organization that would shelter the homeless. After this, the organization was founded to support all those in need. All those living in their cars, spending nights in freezing temperatures, or even staying the night in dumpsters are given the opportunity to spend winter at different churches over the frigid weeks.

While PACEM gives homeless people a safe and warm place to stay, they also encourage those in need to move into a stable living situation and find work to support themselves. Jenn Downs, the Overall Coordinator for PACEM at Portico Church said, “I really like that it’s a community effort…everyone coming together to work to serve the homeless men and women based on what each church can do.”

Jon Estes, the Director of Operations at Portico Church, has been involved with assisting PACEM for over three years, and has seen many ways in which the community has helped the homeless. In making sure the homeless men are comfortable and have all the materials they need, Estes has seen a dramatic impact in spending time with the homeless. “Homeless people, whether they’re here in Virginia or in California, they all have the same basic needs.”

When helping out with the organization, Estes has noticed that interacting with the men instead of just giving them food encouraged them in unimaginable ways. Yes, the men need food, clothing, and shelter but seeing people that care and want to have a conversation with them can sometimes impact them more. As well as giving the homeless people to talk to, food, and shelter, they also encourage the men to get on their feet,  find a job, and eventually move into a stable living situation. “I think the homeless are encouraged by seeing that people care,” Estes said. Cate Roesch, a sophomore who’s also a member of St. Thomas, volunteered for PACEM and was impressed by the organization. “It’s not a well-known organization even though it should be.”

Jesse Boeckermann, the Program Director of PACEM, heard about the organization at his churches, Holy Comforter Catholic Church, and Church of the Incarnation, and proceeded to volunteer for PACEM in 2011 after hearing about the organization’s goals for homeless people in Charlottesville. His role for PACEM is to oversee the shelter staff and coordinate the shelter schedule for those who desperately need a place to stay. As well as sheltering those in need during the coldest weeks of the year, PACEM volunteers assist the homeless in finding houses, health insurance, disability benefits, any alcohol/substance programs that they need, and especially jobs. “During the 2013-14 shelter season, we had 40 guests move into permanent housing options when they left PACEM,” Boeckermann said.

Encouragment is a big part of PACEM’s program, and in these situations, homeless men and women need fervent reassurance in getting on their feet. This can be done through PACEM by volunteering, having a conversation, or even playing a game with those in the shelters. “It really opened my eyes to all of those who don’t have a home,” said sophomore, Cate Roesch. Seeing that others care plays a huge role in PACEM’s assistance with homeless men and women. “If you’re trying to help someone that might be at the lowest point of their life, your perspective completely changes, and it makes you not only have more gratitude for what you’ve been blessed with, but it also increases your desire to give back and help those in need,” Boeckermann said.

If you have heard of PACEM going on at your church or you’re just interested in volunteering, they can always use more help! Visit their website and make a difference in the lives of numerous homeless men and women: http://pacemshelter.org/