House Manager Report 
October 9, 2024

1. Client Statistics
We served 437 households in September, 792 adults and 702 children. This is 40 households less than we served in August. In September we had 89 new clients. We averaged 22 households a day in September, and 22 households a day in August.

2. Volunteers
We have 50 regular volunteers.


3. Donation Status
Our most pressing current needs are:
Winter coat in all sizes

Small household appliances; microwaves, toasters, coffee pots, blenders, and fans 

​Blankets/comforters (all sizes)
Bed sheets (all sizes)
Towels and washcloths
Athletic shoes, both men’s and women’s
Children’s clothes sizes 24 months and up, particularly boy’s and girls pants, long sleeved shirts, sweaters, and hoodies, sizes 6 to 8
Pajamas for men, women, and children
Men’s jeans and athletic pants
Underwear

Can openers
Vacuum cleaners


4. Business/Community Contacts

Ann Arbor Women for Good chose House by the Side of the Road to receive a $5,500 grant! 

​Presbyterian Women of First Presbyterian Church Ann Arbor chose House by the Side of the Road to receive the results of their most recent "Ingathering". In their "Undercover Operation" they collected new underwear, socks, and pajamas for women and children of all sizes.


5. Community Outreach
In September we had seven Toyota of Ann Arbor employees volunteer with us.


6. Facility Status
On Wednesday, May 15, Kone Elevator installed a phone in our elevator at 2051 S State. We received a State of Michigan Elevator Certificate of Use August 7.

7. Safety Issues
None


8. Incidents

None

9. Areas that need attention
We are having problems in the Children's Book and Toy Room. It is being used as a playroom, without parent supervision. Children open toys even after we tape them shut. We've added signs in three languages saying: "Children must be supervised at all times".

10. Client Stories
On October 9th we had two women shopping with us who were brought by a "Jewish Family Services" worker. The women are roommates at Eastern Michigan University and are both refugees. One from Congo, the other from Somalia. They came to EMU through the "Welcome Corps on Campus" program. The WCoC program offers students a path to citizenship while enabling them to complete their studies at American universities. The program is unique in its approach, matching universities with refugee students who have undergone a multi-part screening process and completed a rigorous application. Students must meet EMU's admission requirements before entering the program.

11. Overall Appearance and Organization
The store, sorting, and tagging areas are looking well.


Submitted by Gemaya Griffin, House Manager