“CALL TO ACTION”
Ecumenical Project
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DAUGHTERS OF ZELOPHEHAD |
EPISCOPAL CHURCH WOMEN |
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Through Moses, God promised Zelophehad’s five daughters that they would have a home, a family and a relationship with God. (Numbers 27:1-7)
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DIOCESE OF VIRGINIA |
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“Together, we are making a difference.”
On June 11, 2006, the Daughters of Zelophehad with the support and prayers of the Episcopal Women in the Diocese of Virginia dedicated a home for women ex-offenders coming out of prison. Located at 3201 Dill Avenue in Richmond’s Highland Park neighborhood, the Dill House will currently accommodate three women ex-offenders who express a commitment to learning life skills that will enable them to succeed in the outside world.
“Each day, a woman ex-offender gets released from a Richmond area prison with, usually, no place to live, no job, no money to support herself and her children, and little chance for starting a new life on her own. The Dill House will help these mothers to lead productive, self-sufficient lives. We know of no other transitional housing programs for this particular population. Thirty-eight women ex-offenders are released from prison each month.
Thanks to our “United Thank Offering”, this project received a grant of $7,600.00 to help with construction costs. In addition, the women in our diocese have made a commitment of $5,000 a year for three years. Our regional presidents made a great effort and raised $3,700.00 for furnishings.
The house that was dedicated and blessed on June 11th had been in exile for three years. Empty, boarded up and neglected. It has taken prayer, time, money, skills, the coordination of resources, lots of phone calls, and lots of meetings to make this house a home. It will be a place for transformation, restoration, reconciliation and healing of women and children in crisis.
A special thanks to all who have prayed for and contributed to this wonderful and worthy project!
Committee Chair: Daphne Burress
Assisted by Pat Piland -Jodie Pully
