For the past ten years, Portland members of The Supreme Master Ching
Hai International Association have been privileged to serve the Transition
Project Shelter, the largest provider of housing and other services
to homeless single adults in the Portland metropolitan area, as well
as other homeless shelters in the city.
Due to the economic recession and high unemployment the region
has experienced over the past several years, local shelters and other
homeless services have needed more help so the initiates' support efforts
have increased. Once or twice a month, practitioners from the Portland
Center visit the shelters and serve vegetarian meals including homemade
seasoned rice, vegetarian chicken, stir-fried vegetables, fresh fruit,
spring rolls and fortune cookies containing Master's aphorisms, name
and website, which the residents especially enjoy.
Portland's winter season is extremely cold and wet so the initiates
also distribute highly useful gifts of brand new socks, T-shirts, sweatshirts,
gloves, hats and personal items to the homeless. In addition, the brothers
and sisters often surprise the street people waiting at the Shelter
to apply for jobs or housing with nicely prepared box lunches. When
the initiates arrive at the facility, they always feel the residents'
warmth and love, and learn about the value of service through their
signs of appreciation.
Each time they witness God's love flowing continuously to the homeless,
the brothers and sisters are filled with gratitude. Because serving
at the Transition Project Shelter and other facilities not only gives
them a chance to share food with their fellow citizens, but also brings
Master's presence to the shelters. Many shelter residents also learn
about Master Ching Hai and Her teachings through the sample booklets
the initiates distribute, and some become interested in learning the
Convenient Method of meditation. 
To: Elizabeth Hatler
Volunteer Coordinator
Star of Hope Shelter
6897 Ardmore Street, Houston, TX 77054
Copy to: The Supreme Master Ching Hai International
Association
April 9, 2005
Dear Ms. Hatler:
I highly recommend The Supreme Master Ching Hai
International Association (hereafter referred to as SMCH) for your volunteer
program at Star of Hope.
SMCH has been serving delicious, nutritious meals
to the homeless residents of our shelters at Transition Projects for
over ten years! During this time they have provided hope for thousands
and thousands of people in need through their meals, which are always
served with love and compassion.
This year, SMCH is scheduled to serve monthly
meals to the residents of our men's shelter. They are very reliable!
Whenever I am in need of a meal provider at the last minute, SMCH is
often the first to respond with a resounding, "Yes, we'll be there!"
They are always ready to serve others.
When SMCH recognizes a need, they take action
to meet that need. Recently, they realized that many of our residents
were in need of warm socks, T Shirts, sweat shirts and personal items.
So they decided to buy what was needed by each resident of our shelter.
SMCH is a group that goes beyond our expectations. They truly love to
serve.
Transition Projects is the largest provider of
shelter and services for homeless single adults in the Portland metropolitan
area, and we rely heavily on community contributions to meet the needs
of our clients each and every day. SMCH consistently helps us serve
Portland's most vulnerable population.
Once again, I highly recommend SMCH for your
volunteer program. I would love the opportunity to tell you more about
the Association's volunteer group. Please call or email me for more
information.
Thank you for the work you do for those in need!
Sincerely,
Jodi DuBose
Volunteer Coordinator
The Transition Project Shelter--Portland, Oregon, USA
On April 24, 2005, with the wonder and delight of the Spring season pervading the air, fellow initiates from the Houston Center teamed up with The Bread of Life Foundation to help feed over 200 homeless people with delicious, tasteful and nutritious vegetarian meals. One of the recipients' most common comments was "I can't believe this is vegetarian!" We knew then that the food had been blessed by Master, and with tears in our eyes, gratitude surged in our hearts at the chance to extend Her unconditional love to those seeking hope.
When the day was over, the Houston disciples were invited to come back regularly, and went home feeling a sense of joy and happiness. We also knew that without Master's guidance and blessings, we could not have brought hope to those in need. We will continue to spread Master's love and teachings to those seeking the Truth.
