Neil's Place Adopted by the Phoenixville Rotary

Contributed by Mariann Horan, Community Liaison

Neil’s Place, a Fellowship Health Resources, Inc. transitional housing unit in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, has gained a committed friend in the local Phoenixville Rotary. The Rotary has chosen Neil’s Place for its special community service project for 2011.

Eighteen months ago, the Phoenixville Rotary learned of FHR’s mission and newly acquired transitional housing during a Rotary meeting, where a FHR staff member was the guest speaker. At that time, the housing was called Paradise Street, and in need of some repairs.

The Rotary volunteered many Saturdays of labor, and began painting and fixing the back porch, as well as a general sprucing up of the landscaping. The Rotary worked side-by-side with our residents, and a friendship was born between them.

In 2009, Fellowship changed the name of the house to Neil’s Place in honor of one of our dedicated and caring staff members, Neil Meisler, who passed away earlier that year. With the announcement of a ceremony for the dedication, the Rotary again volunteered a number of hours of service, painting the inside of Neil’s Place in preparation. Our residents, eager to help for the event, once again worked side-by-side with the Rotary.

This year the Rotary chose to name Neil’s Place for a Rotary District Special Project. In April, the Phoenixville Rotary will plant new shrubbery, continue with painting the house, and do any repairs to doors, as well as any other repair work needed. Rotary members and Neil’s Place residents alike are excited to work together in these efforts.

FHR PA is grateful to the members of the Phoenixville Rotary for helping our consumers become active members within their community. We look forward to a long and happy working relationship with the Rotary, our special PA friends.