Setting Prisoners Free

Just a glimpse of some of the HOPE that floods forth in Uptown.... This is a visual diary of many homeless people who once were homeless and are now permanently housed. All these wonderful people have very different stories, were once homeless for a huge range of reasons and were also homeless for various time periods. They were all helped and assisted, directly or indirectly, by us at Cornerstone Community Outreach.... We are so thankful to know each and every one them. Join us and celebrate all these successful moves with us....

There are days when I feel the walls closing in.... There are days when all the issues seem insurmountable.... There are days when hope seems to have vanished and taken an early vacation.... When these days arise, the wisest thing for me to do is to take some time, and go for a midday wander around the neighborhood. This gives me the opportunity to rejuvenate and refocus. These wanderings help me recenter my thoughts and prayers on God; the One who helps me "be still" in all the chaotic madness that can overwhelm us at CCO. Today I went on one of those walks.... As I rounded the corner, I was surrounded by undeniable, unforgettable and unusual hope! I was on the corner many people in Uptown perceive as blighted and a disgrace to the "hood", but today, I was seeing and experiencing hope. I was standing on Wilson and Broadway, celebrating all the success and movement that was embracing me. Within a space of less than 100 meters, I was privileged to be shak...

I see an ocean of people just sitting, waiting, longing for hope, a chance, deliverance! They wish to break free from life's demoralizing cycle to find freedom from the masses. A propaganda of materialistic hope drowns us Into believing the complete falsity of it all. Hope and deliverance smiles compassionately revealing themselves in contradictions and the Truth. The Kingdom rose from the dust with bloody nail scarred hands calling individuals to loving rebellion The path of Blessed Non-conformity has rescued us and tossed us in the Eternal Ocean of His Love

Let me tell you; it just ain't that simple! There's a lofty myth floating around Uptown, Chicago; it claims that getting into permanent housing for chronically homeless people is a relatively easy task; all someone needs to do is, put in a little effort, and then, simply reach out and grab it! But, let me tell you; it just ain't that simple! Uptown's been all over the Chicago news recently, intensifying this very myth! A myth that trickles well beyond the borders of the 46th Ward and splatters itself in various forms throughout this country and the whole world.... As we observe hordes and hordes of poverty-stricken and homeless men, women and children lining up for shelter, food and clothing throughout our neighborhoods, it triggers some form of emotion in each of us.  As we see homeless people sleeping under viaducts, on loading docks and the trains we ride on, those same emotions are intensified!  As some poor soul, with a dirty cup, staggers up to our cars, o...

22! That's right! 22! I think I'm way too young to personally know 22 people to pass away in one year (2012). Actually this number only includes people who have experienced homelessness in their lives. 22 is the number of people I have met while living my life at CCO as an outreach worker and case-manager. I knew some of these men and women deeply, while others were just fleeting memories. I write this as a brief memorial, because I want these men and women to be remembered and I would hate for them to be forgotten! Even though they were harshly ignored, and continually neglected and rejected throughout their lives, we can never forget that each and everyone of them is precious in the sight of our Lord. Late last year, all their names were read at Chicago's annual "homeless memorial" at Old St Pats Church, always held on the shortest day of the year. We remembered these men and women; we held candles, sung hymns, read scripture and prayed. These 22 invisib...

Updated.... to reflect 2019! 14 years ago we feared what might be. In anticipation, we waited to see the daughter we loved so much. Months earlier, through modern technology, Muriwai had entered our world with great vigor, revealing to us that her left arm was shorter and she did not have a hand. The level 2 ultrasound had caused Beth and I to weep, and yet to love her ever so deeply. We prayed! We fasted! We waited in eager anticipation and fear! We tried to cope with the unknown! 14 years ago we feared as the doctors took precautions and were ready to operate, "if needed". She came with vigor and vim, the doctors left unneeded and we marveled at our beautiful little girl with her functioning "special arm". Our anticipated little girl had arrived. We thanked God we could hold her, love her and cherish her. Tears flowed from our eyes as we now coped with the known! 14 years ago we feared the life-threatening seizures that possessed our little one. Helple...

What a blessing! What an honour! What a privilege! This morning I walked for about 5 minutes... covered 5 city blocks in good old Uptown.... and shook the hands of 5 different fellas.. All 5 of them were once deemed "chronically homeless"; now all 5 of them are permanently housed. I am left smiling because of one simple fact: each of these fellas have risen out of the "pit of hopelessness" into the "cradle of hopefulness". These 5 men's stories are all humbling to me, because I am blessed, honoured and privileged to have been able to play different roles in each of their remarkable transformations! All this to say: these 5 men give only a small glimpse into how Uptown is filled with miraculous stories of never-ending hope, a networking community and revolutionary love for the "least of these."