One Mission Cambridge recently hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony with the Dorchester Chamber of Commerce for its newly expanded mission center on Race Street in Cambridge. The expanded space will enable the organization to increase its capacity to serve some of Cambridge’s most vulnerable populations. The nonprofit, formed in 2022, provides quality programs, including a food pantry, community navigation, community dinners, and counseling services.
Due to the increasing numbers, One Mission Cambridge is seeking volunteers to work three different shifts on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays.
“We average about 375 people a month who utilize the food pantry and our mission center as a place to receive a snack or lunch and encouraging words. The new space has enabled us to receive more people and to spend more time with them just socializing through visiting with one another or playing games. Volunteers can play an important role in them feeling welcome and supported,” comments Krista Pettit, Executive Director of One Mission Cambridge.
For Toby Refosco of Cambridge, One Mission Cambridge has been a wonderful place to meet new people since she started two years ago. A retiree, she volunteers a few times a month stocking shelves in the food pantry, helping clients shop for food items, and visiting with them and playing board games in the newly expanded space on Race Street.
“I didn’t realize there were so many homeless people who needed help in our town. I have met some extremely nice people who have found themselves in unfortunate circumstances. I haven’t met anyone who wasn’t friendly here,” Refosco shares.
“I think it’s important to help those who are less fortunate and to make them feel welcome and a part of the community. We don’t want them to feel ostracized for being homeless. You see the challenges they are facing and hope that they do ok and get the services they need. If people volunteered once, they would come back. You meet the most interesting people and learn their stories,” she adds.
On Thursdays, the center offers hot meals, serving about 35 people on that day.
To learn about One Mission Cambridge, visit the website, onemissioncambridge.org. To volunteer, please reach out to Shelly, the new mission center manager, at manager@onemissioncambridge.org or 443-521-5226.
One Mission Cambridge is open Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, from 1 to 5 p.m. for services. For additional information visit onemissioncambridge.org, Facebook, or Instagram. Donations can be made to One Mission Cambridge, P.O. Box 1495, Cambridge, MD 21613.
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I think one mission can get a grant from the stat and open up a shelter at the old social service building on races street