The Alpena area has seen increased needs in our most vulnerable residents in the last few years, fueled by lack of affordable housing, increased costs and more severe substance use and mental health problems. This has led to more people left unsheltered in our community. In late 2022, city government and other stakeholders came together to discuss the urgent need to expand emergency shelter options. This need corresponded to the strategic vision of All Saints Parish of Alpena and the project that resulted in the Center for Charity at St. Bernard in Alpena.

Expanding on the many years of charitable work by the Friendship Room, the Center for Charity became a lifeline for many of the most vulnerable of our community. I was part of the initial meetings in 2022 and watched as the Center devel

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