The Mary Mitchell Courtyard Garden was dedicated Saturday June
6th at 11 AM at Sunrise Village on Brown Road. The dedication was led by Abode Executive Director, Louis Chicoine, and attended by many St. James’ members.
Scott Whitaker offered the following prayer at the celebration:
God of all creation, you are wondrous in all your works. We give you thanks for the beauty of this place, for the impact of Mary Mitchell’s ministry and life, for the good work of Abode Services and for those who live in this place. We ask that you continue to bless all of us with your goodness and grace so that every member of the human family may know the love of community and the comfort of home. Amen.
Mary was among the leaders who fought for the formation of housing for the homeless and the formation of the Tri-City Homeless Coalition (TCHC). She served two years as President of TCHC, which has grown into ABODE Services. “Abode Services believes everyone should have a home. Every day we provide housing and services to homeless people in our community while working to end the cycle of homelessness.”
With ABODE leading the way to restore dignity to homeless people through Sunrise Village (1993) and the many other services ABODE offers, it is difficult to realize the effort it took to start TCHC. Mary’s efforts and determination, providing meals, opening St. James’ for temporary housing and encouraging other churches to do the same, sparked the movement to fund TCHC through the City of Fremont.
In these days of many people surging into the Bay Area and 
driving up rents and housing prices, the need for low-cost housing is greater than ever. Imagine having no home to go to at the end of the day. Imagine having no place for your belongings. Imagine no place to cook a meal. Mary recognized those difficulties and fought to bring housing and dignity to those afflicted with homelessness.
A long time member of St. James’, Mary offered hospitality to one and all, dignity and a smile. She housed people who could not find a room in a local motel. She offered and served refreshments to the fire department responding to the call of a downed helicopter when the area was being sprayed for the Mediterranean fruit fly. Her children never knew when they arrived home at the end of the day who would be sleeping there that night.
The garden courtyard area at Sunrise Village serves as a quiet place for homeless singles to relax, read, and be outdoors while residents there. Thanks to the extended Mitchell family and many volunteers for the plants, tables and chairs, and the major work it took to make the garden a reality. For those of you who cook and serve in the kitchen the cool, quiet garden can be viewed through the courtyard windows on the singles’ side of the dining room.
For additional information about Abode, please visit www.abodeservices.org.
~ Bruce Roberts