We have a great volunteer opportunity for our local Citizens.
“Chiz’s Heart Street” located at 106 West Chestnut Street is looking for compassionate Kingston citizens to help around the house.
2009 YWCA Tribute to Women ‘Community Advocate Award’ honoree Mary ‘Chiz’ Chisholm has been called to some of the most important work in our community. At her ‘house on the hill’, Mary provides residents suffering from mental illness a safe and loving home. She also maintains one of the food pantries in the city of Kingston that feeds our local families on a regular basis.
Can you make a contribution of your time? Two hours a month is all it takes to help to change lives in a profound way. Yours included.
An example of time of days and tasks:
Mondays, 10am – 6pm
10-12, Lunch prep / anytime: laundry or light cleaning / 3-6 dinner prep
* Special Monday Task: Help to re-stock food pantry once a month.
Tuesdays, 10am – 6pm
10-12, Lunch prep / anytime: laundry or light cleaning / 3-6 dinner prep
* Special Tuesday Task: Musicians to play in-house piano or bring an acoustic instrument.
Wednesday’s, 10am – 6pm
10-12, Lunch prep / anytime: laundry or light cleaning / 3-6 dinner prep
* Special Wednesday Task: Musicians to play in-house piano or bring an acoustic instrument.
Thursday’s, 10am – 6pm
10-12, Lunch prep / anytime: laundry or light cleaning / 3-6 dinner prep
* Special Thursday Task: Musicians to play in-house piano or bring an acoustic instrument.
Friday’s, 10am – 6pm
10-12, Lunch prep / anytime: laundry or light cleaning / 3-6 dinner prep
* Special Monday Task: Musicians to play in-house piano or bring an acoustic instrument.
Saturday’s, 10am – 6pm
10-12, Lunch prep / anytime: laundry or light cleaning / 3-6 dinner prep
* Special Saturday Task: Musicians to play in-house piano or bring an acoustic instrument.
Sunday’s, 10am – 6pm
10-12, Lunch prep / anytime: laundry or light cleaning / 3-6 dinner prep
* Special Sunday Task: Musicians to play in-house piano or bring an acoustic instrument.
For more information, Contact Mary ‘Chiz’ Chisholm at 845-399-7891 or email heartstreet106 at yahoo.com
Lend a hand…and a heart. Thank you.
– Rebecca Martin, KingstonCitizens.org
Read the short interview of Mary and press below, and click on the link to watch the short film ‘Touched’ on Mary and the residents.
TOUCHED by Malcolm Burn – A beautiful short film on Mary and the residents of ‘Chiz’s Heart Street’ by Grammy Award producer Malcolm Burn.
Press, Times Herald Record: “Heart Street Will Beat On Screen”
When did Chiz’s Heart Street begin, and why?
Heart street began in 2003, when i was working in the jail and then for Mental Health Association. I saw the sadness of those who were far out of the margins. People who were mentally ill and had not been successful in other homes. When I saw this house, I knew that it was a place that could offer a home to people who were lost and left for the street.
What does a day in the life of Heart Street look like?
I am up at 4 am to get breakfast started and to put all of the medications out. I spend a lot of time talking and getting people ready for day treatment programs, figuring out the accounting of the house, holding hearts, cleaning rooms and bathrooms. Nurses arrive at about 8 am and all throughout the day. Lunch is served at 11, and dinner at 3: 30. Each day is different. People who are ill need to get to the hospital. Time is given talking with all of the necessary agencies. Sitting with what is and seeing and recognizing the frailties and stopping long enough to stroke a brow. The work is endless. Laundry done 7 days a week. Stocking the food pantry and doing yard work. The nights are also filled with tenderness to quell the fear and anxieties that speak to mental illness. Going to the ER to pick up homeless people who have no where to go. Giving the medication sleeves to people who are resistant to taking their meds. Taking pictures, laughing, crying. Running up and down the stairs….
Describe the residents living in the house.
Most people are schizophrenic, schizoaffective, bipolar. The “throw always”, and each one a human being. A gift on this earth filled with the pain of mental illness and the joy of a moment in the sun.
If you had one wish for the house, what would it be?
That people would come here and hold what I know are the most beautiful people in the whole world.
Hi Chiz! We are neighbors! I’ve been WONDERING how to get in touch with you! I’ll email you. I have a rather stand-offish little Therapy Dog, a Sheltie. Would your residents like to visit with him? I volenteer at Catholic Charities now but it is a long drive. I’d like to discuss your needs. I’m good at restocking a food pantry, I did that yesterday at CC. Lei Isaacs @ lei.isaacs@gmail.com