For the Q&A: I really want to get into working with/mission work around homelessness in my area, but I’m really not sure where to start. It’s a big issue in my city, but there don’t seem to be many orgs/groups involved with trying to help, and none of the churches in our area seem to care at all, unless their work directly involves evangelizing (which, I get is a part of what churches are supposed to do, but it makes me really uncomfortable to approach any kind of mission work with the idea of “saving souls” rather than actually helping people). I really feel called to mission around this issue, but I’m not sure where to start on my own. Any advice?
Hi Cheyenne, Good for you! I'm a former paralegal, 61, on yr 5 of homelessness due to problems from life-long epilepsy (a brain problem). Contact your ELCA Lutherans, Catholics, and Muslims. Start small with hygiene kits. Please read the list above I gave to Carla. Please post other questions. The story of The Good Samaritan was about a man who helped a vulnerable, hurt robbery victim in need. No evangelism. Please post other questions you may have. You can do this. Small steps!
Q&A - we live near Chicago and sometimes when we go into the city I have brought little bags to give out - McDonald's gift card, socks, granola bars, hygiene products and such. Is this a good way to help out a little bit or no? Would other things be better?
Hi Carla, These are great items. I'm a former paralegal, woman, 61, on yr 5 of homelessness in Fresno, Calif due to problems from life-long epilepsy. I work with a Lutheran Church's members, whom I met through their food bank 4 yrs ago. They got grants and assemble hygiene packs with a t-shirt, 2 pairs of socks (thermal in winter time or wool), wipes (Prevail), athletes' cream, small travel size shampoo, conditioner, lotion, spork (plastic eating utensil about $1 dollar in the camping section at Walmart), toothpaste and toothbrush. The Lutherans then expanded to Weds night dinners to my area of Fresno, for me to pass out. About 15 dinners. This is a highlight of peoples' weeks. Soft fruit is served, given that about 50% of homeless people have dental problems and the other 50% don't. A cookie baker at the church bakes six weeks worth of cookies at a time. They are in the church freezer. Bags of 3 cookies are added to each meal. In the summer, we have a variety of sandwiches for dinner (bbq chicken, turkey and cheese, small bags of chips, frozen water and Gatorade). In the winter, and by Fall, we are busy raising money for 0 degree sleeping bags (about $70 on Amazon). I forgot the brand. They are in a black stuff sack with orange straps on the bag. Start off small. Do what you can. You will learn more. Respect peoples' wishes, and your own limits.
Kevin, this is a superb article that covers much ground and hits every nail on the head. Still learning susbstack (for my book o my 7 years spent in Homelessness) but will be promoting your site. And yes, we are both anchored in faith and deeply effected by Jesus' desire that wwe serve the marginalized. Keep up the great work.
For the Q&A: I really want to get into working with/mission work around homelessness in my area, but I’m really not sure where to start. It’s a big issue in my city, but there don’t seem to be many orgs/groups involved with trying to help, and none of the churches in our area seem to care at all, unless their work directly involves evangelizing (which, I get is a part of what churches are supposed to do, but it makes me really uncomfortable to approach any kind of mission work with the idea of “saving souls” rather than actually helping people). I really feel called to mission around this issue, but I’m not sure where to start on my own. Any advice?
Hi Cheyenne, Good for you! I'm a former paralegal, 61, on yr 5 of homelessness due to problems from life-long epilepsy (a brain problem). Contact your ELCA Lutherans, Catholics, and Muslims. Start small with hygiene kits. Please read the list above I gave to Carla. Please post other questions. The story of The Good Samaritan was about a man who helped a vulnerable, hurt robbery victim in need. No evangelism. Please post other questions you may have. You can do this. Small steps!
Q&A - we live near Chicago and sometimes when we go into the city I have brought little bags to give out - McDonald's gift card, socks, granola bars, hygiene products and such. Is this a good way to help out a little bit or no? Would other things be better?
Hi Carla, These are great items. I'm a former paralegal, woman, 61, on yr 5 of homelessness in Fresno, Calif due to problems from life-long epilepsy. I work with a Lutheran Church's members, whom I met through their food bank 4 yrs ago. They got grants and assemble hygiene packs with a t-shirt, 2 pairs of socks (thermal in winter time or wool), wipes (Prevail), athletes' cream, small travel size shampoo, conditioner, lotion, spork (plastic eating utensil about $1 dollar in the camping section at Walmart), toothpaste and toothbrush. The Lutherans then expanded to Weds night dinners to my area of Fresno, for me to pass out. About 15 dinners. This is a highlight of peoples' weeks. Soft fruit is served, given that about 50% of homeless people have dental problems and the other 50% don't. A cookie baker at the church bakes six weeks worth of cookies at a time. They are in the church freezer. Bags of 3 cookies are added to each meal. In the summer, we have a variety of sandwiches for dinner (bbq chicken, turkey and cheese, small bags of chips, frozen water and Gatorade). In the winter, and by Fall, we are busy raising money for 0 degree sleeping bags (about $70 on Amazon). I forgot the brand. They are in a black stuff sack with orange straps on the bag. Start off small. Do what you can. You will learn more. Respect peoples' wishes, and your own limits.
For the Q&A: What are the top 3 myths about homelessness you wish everyone knew?
Kevin, this is a superb article that covers much ground and hits every nail on the head. Still learning susbstack (for my book o my 7 years spent in Homelessness) but will be promoting your site. And yes, we are both anchored in faith and deeply effected by Jesus' desire that wwe serve the marginalized. Keep up the great work.
Thank you Christopher! Welcome!