Uptown's Hope Alley!

By -
When people come to us to stay in our shelter, they are often in a state of desperation; all are homeless and over 80% percent of our residents are without income! They come seeking hope and answers!

When people from the neighborhood come to us for food, clothing and assistance, they are often in need; most are dealing with poverty, food insecurity and limited resources! They come seeking hope and answers!

This week, the people who came into our alley, found hope!
Hundreds of hungry tummies were filled.
Hundreds of tired bones found rest.
Hundreds had showers, got toiletries and fresh clothing.
Hundreds felt safe, found community and ongoing support!

This week, hope reigned, because there were some who were also blessed with keys to their new apartments, symbolizing a long journey of perseverance, through networking, case-working, finances, a whole lot of effort and a ton of love.....

Congratulations to Bernard, Cedric, Ali, Tim, Robert, Robyn, Anthony and Greg; for they all successfully moved into their own apartments the week I wrote this! You all did it; Yay!

And isn't this what the Kingdom of God is all about; Jesus calling us to "love our neighbors as ourselves", and "whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me"



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Homelessness in Chicago VS Homelessness in Auckland

By -
Image
Rachael is invisible in this massively spread-out city called Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland, New Zealand). She tries to sleep in her car at a local petrol station every night. Many more are doing the same, just in different places and vehicles. She has a host of fears but also plenty of dreams. She isn't seen, she's forgotten, but she's there! Kenneth is visible in this condensed crowded city called Chicago. Every night he hides under a blanket and tries to sleep on the noisy El train that travels from one side of the town to the other. Many more are doing the same, just in different carriages and trains. He has a host of fears but continues to hope. He's seen, he's forgotten, but he's there! In this post, I will highlight 7 differences and 7 similarities I've observed between the two vastly different cities I've lived in. This list is not comprehensive by any stretch of the imagination, these are just my observations that stem from having worked over 25 ye
read more......

The Eclectic Path of an Outreach Worker: Reaching Out to Those Experiencing Homelessness!

By -
Image
I love my job!  I hate I have to do it!  I wholeheartedly believe that housing is a human right. Housing saves lives. Housing reduces harm. Housing should be affordable and available for all, and yet, sadly we live in a world where housing is only affordable, adequate and available to some, leaving many people unhoused or living in unhealthy or overcrowded homes. Therefore I have dedicated most of my adult life to helping those who need a place to call home.  In January 1997, I started my journey in Chicago as a community worker in a large homeless shelter, Cornerstone Community Outreach (CCO). Today, I continue my journey in Tāmaki Makaurau as Visionwest's Supportive Housing Outreach Leader. Whereas my roles have varied over the decades, my emphasis in this piece is to focus on my responsibilities as an Outreach Worker in both cities: what it is, how I do it, and why I think it's important!  Beginning in 2001, I helped set up and direct CCO's men's shelter, only for it
read more......

The God of Outcasts

By -
Image
Matt wandered into Church early with his bulging backpack, sat in the back row, with his usual cup of coffee. He always had too many layers on, that would extenuate the pungent whiffs of cigarettes, marijuana, and his musty clothes. It was an adventure sitting next to Matt, as he lived in a tent down the street, and therefore, struggled to stay awake throughout the service. Matt was someone who didn't know how to talk quietly, so when he was awake, he would whisper to me with his loud foggy voice, followed by his impulsive croaky laugh. He would cause heads to turn and faces to frown as he'd tell me of his need to smoke a blunt, how he was going to get retribution on some fellas that "did him wrong", while always asking me about my family. Whereas Matt struggled to control his impulses, he did his best to be respectful. I don't know how much he heard, but the one thing I do know is he loved Jesus, he knew he needed Jesus, so as an act of faith, he faithfully came
read more......