Center banks on God … and donations
CHC gets no government help
It was a trade-off Pastor Jeff Podemski accepts.
Though the Christian Help Center at 2166 Sacramento St. in Vallejo no longer receives local, state or federal financial assistance, at least Podemski doesn’t have to be all hush-hush about the faith-based nonprofit that houses and feeds 85 men, women and children at a time.
“I can say ‘Jesus’ since we’re not being funded by the government,” Podemski said. “I don’t have to apologize to anyone.”
Formally subsidized by local and federal grants — including one more than $1 million to rebuild the shelter — Podemski speculated that funds have been
cut off because of the separation of church and state.
“We’ve lost all funding, so we’re here by the grace of God,” said Podemski, the director of operations at the facility.
At the Christian Help Center for 26 years, Podemski said at his office Tuesday that contributions via the Times-Herald’s Community Christmas Card are vital to help meet the nonprofit’s roughly $200,000 annual budget.
“We definitely need the money,” he said. “The city doesn’t help us, though we do get an ‘atta boy, good job,’ thought that doesn’t pay the bills.”
Those down-on-their luck can stay for 30 days free at the shelter, including food. Then it becomes “transitional housing,” Podemski said, where a contribution is requested to keep the shelter afloat. Of the 85 staying at the center, the pastor figured 60 percent were men and the rest were women, some with kids.
“People can stay as long as they want but have to give us a donation to stay,” Podemski said.
There are rules. No drugs, alcohol or firearms. There’s a 7 p.m. roll call and lights out at 9:30 p.m. unless employment necessitates different hours, Podemski said. Residents volunteer for around-the-clock front door security.
The No. 1 reason people end up at the Christian Help Center?
“Well, they’re homeless,” Podemski said. “Some just got out of jail. Some got into a relationship that goes sour or there could be a house fire. We don’t get a lot of those who are in encampments because they don’t want rules and don’t want to work.”
Three meals are provided daily and though once a big provider of turkeys for Thanksgiving and toys for Christmas to the general public, Podemski said other churches and nonprofits shared that program these days.
“We used to be the only people in town doing anything like turkeys, toys and warm coats,” Podemski said. “Now, all kinds of people are doing this. That’s a good thing.”
Podemski, 71, is a former optician who has fostered around 90 kids. He currently fosters two children and has a 31-year-old daughter by a former wife.
“My daughter says ‘Dad, don’t ever quit your job because you’re too old to find another.’ She says, ‘You don’t go to work, you go to play’ and I say, ‘You’re right. I just go to play,’” Podemski said. “This is where I’m supposed to be. And the best part is, I get to pray for people.”
Podemski, who attends The Hill church in Vallejo, remembered his initiation into the Christian Help Center. He and his now-ex-wife were jogging by and Podemski noticed the facility at Bible study.
He started volunteering and was soon asked by Pastor Rey Bernardes to be director “with an apartment and a paycheck.’ I thought, ‘This has got to be God.’ That was 1993.
Podemski said he has no idea how long he’ll continue working at the Christian Help Center. Right now he’s enjoying the moment.
“We’re helping people here. That’s what we do,” he said.