UPDATE to Part II - Investigating the GP GRM

A note from Alison

Happy Friday everyone. I need one more week to bring our series on Investigating the Grants Pass Gospel Rescue Mission to a close. Thank you to everyone for reading along the way.

This series cuts straight to the heart of my work and why I write what I write. As a person of faith, I know I am called to confront issues like homelessness head on, with compassion, shrewdness, and grace. And a growing part of that work is confronting other people of faith who are in this same sector but are actively doing harm. If we Christians don’t hold one another accountable, who will?

If you haven’t read last week’s post, I implore you to do so. It’s the most important thing I’ve written here yet, and it would be a shame if you missed it:

Alison's Story

I wanted to give an update about “Alison.” She has been an active partner with me throughout this process as she shared the documents and stories and reflections that inform these posts. She has also been excited to read all of the comments that have come in, and is especially thankful for all the donations. I asked if she wanted to say anything, and was eager to do so.

So here is a note from Alison, to you the readers:

It feels so good to read the comments and receive the donations that have come in. It makes me feel so cared for. Experiencing this time at the Gospel Rescue Mission made me feel so small, almost like a burden. But growing beyond the experience, and now having the opportunity to share what I went through, has helped me to feel stronger. The trauma that I carry from my time as a homeless individual has started to gently heal. I can see now that what I experienced was wrong, and I don't need to hide from it anymore. I am glad my story has reached so many caring and empathetic individuals. I hope for a better future in Mission environments, and for the homeless community. 

I also wanted to give a DONATIONS UPDATE! WE HAVE RAISED ALMOST $700 FOR ALISON FROM THIS. THANK YOU TO EVERYONE FOR CONTRIBUTING.

I wondered though… what if the end result of these donations was that we paid Alison’s rent for a month? Alison shared with me that the apartment she lives in costs $1250 per month, and we are already more than halfway there!

Wouldn’t it be great if we could say we did that? That an alternative Christian community contributed to repairing the harm that was done “in the name of Jesus” at the Grants Pass Gospel Rescue Mission? That we could contribute to her housing—the bedrock of all stability and flourishing—where the Mission failed? I’m having a hard time imagining anything quite so beautiful.

You can contribute via Venmo (@ kevin-nye-3), Cash App ($Revkev), Paypal or Zelle (kevin.m.nye@gmail.com).

A week from today we wrap this series exploring the theological and political ramifications of our findings here. After that, I will provide a final total of what we were able to contribute to Alison.

Thank you all so much. This little corner of the internet we’ve carved out together is so beautiful.

, kevin