By Ryan Gerace
On Wednesday, August 7th, 2019, Adelaide’s Place of Atlantic City will be hosting their annual Barbeque on the Greens event at the Linwood Country Club. It is a casual and fun event that always provides great barbeque fare, music, and plenty of great door prizes along with a Chinese Auction. All proceeds go to Adelaide’s Place Day Center for Women.
Named after Marie Adelaide de Cice, co-founder of the Daughter’s of the Heart of Mary, Adelaide’s Place is for homeless women who have nowhere else to go to during the day. It is run by the amazing Sister Patty and a group of volunteers who are always there to help the women in whatever they might need during the day whether it be a snack, a washing machine, toiletries, or just a safe space to socialize with other women going thru a similar situation.
“Some women come every day, while some only come once or twice a week” explained Sister Patty, “all of the women here have formed a bond.”
The women of Adelaide’s Place come to escape from their current situations whatever it may be. Some women have just fallen on hard times while other situations, for example, might be that they went thru a divorce and got nothing from it. There are even some women here with Master’s Degrees and have still found themselves in this situation. Adelaide’s Place is there not only to provide an escape from these women’s current situations, but to help them in rebuilding their lives by getting them in contact with family services, social workers, linkages to health care, temporary or permanent housing agencies, and much more. The Jewish Family Services of this area has been a big partner of Adelaide’s Place in helping the women who come thru get back on their feet.
“We just want the women who come thru to know that they have a place to feel safe and secure in” says Sister Patty.
Sister Patty has recently started doing arts and crafts programs with the women and wants to create an art room in the building where the women can do pottery and other crafts. The women usually set the agenda for the day while they are at Adelaide’s Place. After signing in, they all tend to get together and see what they want to do. Bingo is a very popular game with the women and Sister Patty always does her best to give out prizes to the winners of Bingo. Everyone always gets their turn at winning Bingo. Sister Patty and the volunteers always encourage the girls to ask if they need anything at all and they understand that each person is going thru their own situation.
Recently, two regulars of Adelaide’s Place have moved into their own apartments after utilizing the resources available at Adelaide’s Place. The women and Sister Patty are always very proud to see one of their own get back on their feet and go back into the world.
Adelaide’s Place is truly a great organization that seeks to help local homeless women of the area rebuild their lives. Be sure to join Adelaide’s Place on August 7th at Linwood Country Club. It is $35 if you reserve by July 31st or $40 at the door. There will be plenty of food, music, prizes, and gift giveaways for all who come. We hope to see you there.
Ryan Gerace is a recent graduate from La Salle University with a Master’s in Strategic Communication. Born and raised in Linwood, NJ. He enjoys cooking, baking, and community events.
