Dale Mello was among the dozens of people seated in the Great Room of Newtown Congregational Church (NCC) Saturday night, October 19, socializing ahead of dinner being served for the church’s annual Mississippi BBQ & Shrimp Boil.

Suddenly, she stopped her conversation, pointed to a large screen upon which a slideshow was being projected, and exclaimed “We built that house!”

Ms Mello, a longtime member of NCC, was looking at one of the previous work camp projects she and other adults from the church had worked on in Biloxi, Miss. Members of the church have been traveling to the Gulf Coast city for more than a decade. Saturday’s fundraiser continued the ongoing outreach between NCC, its members, and Back Bay Mission (BBM) in Biloxi.

Approximately 100 people enjoyed dinner on October 19. As in years past, they feasted on Cajun-seasoned shrimp, BBQ chicken, Andouille sausage, tossed salad, potatoes, corn on the cob, and desserts.

The desserts had been provided by church members. All other food was cooked onsite by members of the church, the majority of whom had been to Biloxi at least once. Most of those cooking on Saturday have been to Biloxi multiple times in recent years, doing what they can to shore up homes for those who live at or below the poverty level.

The church’s relationship with Back Bay Mission began in 2005, following Hurricane Katrina. At that time, members responded to the historic storm by sending a financial donation. NCC members began traveling to volunteer their time through BBM the following year and have continued since.

The mission’s focus in recent years, as described on Saturday by former Newtown resident Matt Cole, has transitioned from post-Katrina recovery to permanent supported housing and other programs for those in a city where the 2017 average annual income of a resident is $23,303, according to the US Census Bureau. (The US average was $31,177.)

While 11.8 percent of the US population lives in poverty, that number rises to 22.7 percent in Biloxi, also according to the Census Bureau.

Mr Cole, who grew up attending the Newtown Congregational Church, began working in May as a construction manager for Back Bay Mission, after having done between 18 and 20 work trips to the city since 2008. He was the guest speaker for this year’s Mississippi BBQ & Shrimp Boil.

“The whole philosophy of Back Bay,” he said following dinner, “is to look at people who come to the mission and say ‘What can we do to help you?’”

Permanent supported housing, he explained, is one way the mission helps people begin the journey out of homelessness. With rules and guidelines in place, the program helps people apply for benefits, find a job, connect with service providers, and take other steps toward independence.

Back Bay Mission also helps the local homeless population through Micah House, a location that provides computers, phones, and even a mailing address for those who need one. A local salon school sends its students to the center to provide free haircuts to those who need them, and hot showers are also made available.

“The Micah Center,” he said, “is a place people can go and be seen as people. The difference that a 15-minute shower makes to the folks we see is beyond words.”

Healthcare programs, education, and emergency assistance are all part of Back Bay’s mission, Mr Cole said.

Sheila Cole has been to Biloxi multiple times. Her entire family, in fact — including daughter, Liz, and husband, Jerry, in addition to Matt — have all been on service trips for NCC.

“Back Bay Mission is a very special place in our hearts,” Mrs Cole said on Saturday. She reminded the evening’s guests that two Newtown groups are already scheduled to head to Biloxi in early 2020. College students will be going in January, and NCC’s adult group will be there in February.

According to Matt Cole, 69 groups have already signed up to visit Back Bay Mission next year. Many openings still remain, however.

“You don’t have to be a United Church of Church group, or even an affiliate, to join us,” he said. “At least seven of next year’s groups are not UCC groups.”

In speaking to The Newtown Bee after Saturday’s event, Katherine Simpson said she and other organizers hope “a good time and a good meal was enjoyed by all.

“We especially hope Matt’s heartfelt presentation will produce not only new Back Bay Mission supporters, but also new adult work campers,” said Mrs Simpson, a member of the NCC Adult Biloxi Team.

In addition to dinner admissions, a 50-50 raffle and donations from Saturday’s guests will all benefit Back Bay Mission’s ongoing efforts. A donation from Newtown Lions Club was also presented Saturday evening to the adults who will be traveling south in February. That donation, explained Mrs Simpson — who is also a member of the local Lions Club — will help cover the required per person contribution to Bay Back for volunteer housing and some of the supply expenses for the projects the Newtown group will work on next year.

To learn more about Back Bay Mission and its mission trip calendar, visit thebackbaymission.org. College students interested in learning more about the January 2020 trip are encouraged to contact Newtown Congregational Church, 203-426-9024 or newcong@sbcglobal.net.