SHARING HOUSE
Oakdale Street & Duckworth Avenue - P.O. Box 958, Brevard, NC 28712 - (828) 884-2866
| General Assembly | Board Directors | Staff Members | Volunteer Members | Local Partners | FAQ |
Sharing House FAQ
------------




------------
Personal Testimony
 
"Sharing House is a tremendous resource in our community, we have personally benefited over the years from receiving genuine help in many different ways. Thank you Sharing House staff & volunteers for your many kindnesses." Anonymous
------------
Frequently Asked Questions
 
1. When was Transylvania Christian Ministry started?
 
In November 1980, at the request of the Transylvania Ministerial Association, a group representing 7 local churches began meeting weekly to explore the possibility of cooperating to offer crisis ministry to those in need in the County. At that time, individual churches were attempting to provide food, clothing & financial assistance to the many needy, some of who went to a number of churches to get their needs met. The group envisioned a comprehensive ministry which would include a means of evaluating each need prior to providing assistance. As a result, Transylvania Christian Ministry opened on May 4, 1981 in an old refurbished house on Caldwell street where the Sonic fast food restaurant is currently located.
 
2. Why is Transylvania Christian Ministry called Sharing House?
 
The chairperson of the founding group, the late Elizabeth (Lib) Provence (1916-2001), suggested using the informal name of the "Sharing House" to express the crisis ministry's emphasis of "Neighbors Helping Neighbors." The name took hold & was then used interchangeably with Transylvania Christian Ministry. Later the TCM - Sharing House Board of Directors discussed changing the name legally but decided it was important to retain the word, "Christian", to be part of the ministry's formal identity.
 
3. How many people does TCM - Sharing House serve each year?
 
TCM - Sharing House has over 3,500 families on file & serves approximately 1,200 families each year. Statistics indicate that Sharing House receives about 7,500 visits per year since some individuals come for help several times.
 
4. How is TCM - Sharing House funded and what is our annual budget?
 
Thirty-two (32) local churches from almost every denomination & many individuals & families donate money, food & used clothing to support TCM - Sharing House. Over the past five years, client expenses have increased significantly while donations have not kept pace with this expenditure increase. From a budget of $35,000 in 1981, the budget has grown to $250,000. When the value of food & clothing donations is added to that, the total reaches almost $400,000.
 
5. What is the size of the TCM - Sharing House staff & volunteers?
 
Currently the staff includes 4 full-time (Executive Director, Program Director, Project Director, & a Transitional Housing Director) & 2 part-time (Financial Administrator & Volunteer Coordinator) employees. A dedicated volunteer staff of over 150 persons gives generously of their time, talent, & treasure.
 
6. Where is the TCM - Sharing House ministry building located?
 
The TCM - Sharing House facility is conveniently located at the intersection of Oakdale street & Duckworth avenue, west of downtown Brevard. The 10,000 sq. ft. facility was built in 1988-89 with donations of money & mostly volunteer labor. The upper level is dedicated to the TCM - Sharing House ministry while the lower level is occupied by another nonprofit agency, Transylvania County Volunteers in Medicine.
 
7. Who is served by TCM - Sharing House & why do they need this service?
 
The Transylvania County residents who come to TCM - Sharing House most often need financial assistance. Most are working at least part time or have a valid reason for not working. Many work for minimum wage with no benefits & usually qualify for public assistance including Work First, Food Stamps, SSI, Medicaid & subsidized housing. On a meager income, any unusual expense can create an immediate crisis. Many of the people coming to TCM - Sharing House for assistance are single mothers with a number of children.
 
8. What exactly is the ministry of TCM - Sharing House?
 
TCM - Sharing House provides financial assistance for heating & utility bills, prescription drugs, rent, transportation, & many other needs. TCM - Sharing House also operates a clothing closet & a food pantry. The annual Adopt-A-Family initiative helps with Christmas presents & food. The Lib Provence Loan Fund makes small, no-interest loans to persons who would not qualify for bank loans. The Family Partners for Independence initiative partners church teams with Work First families making the transition from welfare to work. TCM - Sharing House publishes a quarterly newsletter & provides programs to churches, civic groups & organizations.
 
9. Is there really a lot of poverty in Transylvania County?
 
The number of people living below the Federal Poverty Guideline is not clear. However, many residents of Transylvania County do not realize that poverty exists because it is not as obvious as poverty found in cities. There are no concentrated slums or tenements. There are few traditional street people, however, we do have homeless people. Rural poverty is just as real as urban poverty. There are people living in the County who cannot sustain themselves & their families without outside assistance. Even today there are people living without indoor plumbing & with grossly inadequate housing among the hills of this incredibly beautiful area of Western North Carolina.
------------
Email Us
"Living Faith in Loving Action" Matthew 25:35-40
Top
© 2007 Sharing House