April 3, 2011, is "I Am A Veteran & Homeless"
(written by Kelly Gauthier with Mary Wakefield & the Peace & Justice Committee).
Sally’s Story
In 2008, Sally came to the Ann Arbor VA Medical Center. At age 39, she had lived in 6 different states over the last 7 years (since her discharge from the service). She was secretive, hoarded food, and was actively psychotic due to lack of medication and a stable living environment. Social workers would meet with her at the hospital because she did not want them to know where she was staying—she was living on the streets, in bathrooms, and behind the VA Hospital. Sally eventually began to trust an outreach worker. They built a strong relationship and Sally finally trusted enough to agree to a mental health evaluation. She entered the VA Grant Per Diem Program at the Staples Center in Ann Arbor and received support to help her obtain Social Security Disability Benefits. She began receiving a monthly income, something she had not had in 7 years.
In 2009, with assistance from a HUD/VA Supported Housing Voucher, Sally found an apartment in downtown Toledo, close to the bus line. Since then, she has been able to walk to the library and expand her social contacts. Sally now serves as a member of the HCHV Veterans Council and gives input quarterly to the HCHV Coordinator on veterans’ care and needs.
The Suffering of those Who Served
About 1/3 of the homeless population in America are veterans. Nearly half of them served in Vietnam. Those who served in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars currently represent about 3% of homeless veterans. The majority of homeless veterans are male; single; come from urban areas; and suffer from mental illness, alcohol and/or substance abuse, or co-occurring disorders. About 1.5 million other veterans, meanwhile, are considered at risk of homelessness due to poverty, lack of support networks, and dismal living conditions in overcrowded or substandard housing.
The VA’s programs served more than 92,000 veterans in 2009, but this still leaves well over 100,000 more veterans who must seek assistance from local government agencies and community- and faith-based service organizations. The VA emphasizes collaboration with such community service providers to help expand services to more veterans in crisis. These partnerships are credited with reducing the number of homeless veterans by more than half over the past 6 years, but those who served in Iraq and Afghanistan are ending up on the streets much faster than veterans from previous wars.
Our Lenten donations will go to the RAAH capital campaign, which is raising money to create and maintain Affordable Housing and helping to fund Community Organizations that serve the homeless, including homeless veterans. Our Lenten donations will help veterans like Sally stay housed!
**Remember, organizations like the VA Hospital and Staples Center are always in need of volunteers**
SACK HOMELESSNESS!!!
Have a Heart For Those Without A Home!
HELP US HOUSE PEOPLE IN WASHTENAW COUNTY!
Donate to: Religious Action for Affordable Housing (RAAH) capital campaign, in Washtenaw County, to alleviate homelessness and eliminate its causes in our community.
I’m An Ex-Convict
March 27, 2011, is
"I’m An Ex-Convict"
(written by Kelly Gauthier with Chuck Patti Yonka).
Tommy and Randy’s Stories
Today we hear from 2 men who were blessed through the Michigan Prisoner Re-Entry Initiative [MPRI]:
Tommy is an articulate, grateful 53-year old man who experienced some hard years in “the joint”, as he refers to prison. He feels that his maturity level helped him navigate during what he describes as a “preparing for death” experience. Tommy lost his mother to cancer at age 14. He then watched his wife suffer from cancer for many years, which caused him great pain. She died while he was in prison. Tommy knows that these losses affected his view of life and his attitude. Now, as he adjusts to life after prison, he firmly believes that it is his new attitude and the grace of God that helped him change his priorities—putting God first and not feeling sorry for himself. He has an affordable apartment, a car, and a job at Habitat for Humanity. He believes in the US Constitution and the pursuit of happiness. Tommy says, “The MPRI program is saving people’s lives”. With 10 months left in his parole, he is ready for a new life.
Randy is a 59-year old man with a renewed drivers license and a support network. He is sober, drug-free, and takes care of his health; he budgets and pays his bills on time (including the income-adjusted rent at his Avalon Supportive Housing apartment). Randy has been on his own for the past 3 years, after spending 30 years in prison. With a medical history of COPD and throat cancer in remission, he thanks God for every day and for this chance to change. Both of his parents died of cancer. His mother died when he was 23 and, although he was hanging around with the wrong crowd prior to her death, his choices went downhill after losing her. His first time in jail was at age 24, but that’s history now. MPRI helped Randy to not lose hope; “your life can change in this program if the individual wants to change.” You might see Randy “canning” on a football Saturday, or helping his neighbor in her garden. He is also an advocate and speaker for MPRI.
Second Chances Change Lives
MPRI is unique in that housing is provided for the parolee for up to 6 months (the goal for most is to transition out between 3-4 months). Upon release from prison, you go directly to your parole office and people from MPRI meet you there. A housing coordinator finds you a place in shared housing; a resource specialist provides vouchers and information to help you get on your feet, and a mentor is someone to talk to. In MPRI housing, rules must be followed carefully. There is no margin of error when it comes to making it on the outside.
Other agencies that assist parolees through MPRI include: St. Vincent de Paul Society, Dept. of Human Services, and Friends in Deed. Other assistance includes a 3-month unlimited bus pass, vouchers for living supplies, food stamps, and knowledge about getting a cell phone. Parolees are expected to apply for a minimum of 8 jobs per week, keep their apartments clean, keep all appointments, and follow the ‘lockdown’ time set up with the parole officer. (Tommy’s lockdown is from 10 pm—5:30 am, which means he has to be in his apartment during that time.)
In their last capital campaign, RAAH raised $50,000 for MPRI and continues to enthusiastically support the program. Our Lenten donations will go the RAAH capital campaign, which will provide $40,000 to Avalon Housing for affordable housing. Our donations will help people like Tommy and Randy get housing and a second chance!
**Remember, organizations like MPRI, St. Vincent de Paul, and Friends in Deed are always in need of volunteers**
"I’m An Ex-Convict"
(written by Kelly Gauthier with Chuck Patti Yonka).
Tommy and Randy’s Stories
Today we hear from 2 men who were blessed through the Michigan Prisoner Re-Entry Initiative [MPRI]:
Tommy is an articulate, grateful 53-year old man who experienced some hard years in “the joint”, as he refers to prison. He feels that his maturity level helped him navigate during what he describes as a “preparing for death” experience. Tommy lost his mother to cancer at age 14. He then watched his wife suffer from cancer for many years, which caused him great pain. She died while he was in prison. Tommy knows that these losses affected his view of life and his attitude. Now, as he adjusts to life after prison, he firmly believes that it is his new attitude and the grace of God that helped him change his priorities—putting God first and not feeling sorry for himself. He has an affordable apartment, a car, and a job at Habitat for Humanity. He believes in the US Constitution and the pursuit of happiness. Tommy says, “The MPRI program is saving people’s lives”. With 10 months left in his parole, he is ready for a new life.
Randy is a 59-year old man with a renewed drivers license and a support network. He is sober, drug-free, and takes care of his health; he budgets and pays his bills on time (including the income-adjusted rent at his Avalon Supportive Housing apartment). Randy has been on his own for the past 3 years, after spending 30 years in prison. With a medical history of COPD and throat cancer in remission, he thanks God for every day and for this chance to change. Both of his parents died of cancer. His mother died when he was 23 and, although he was hanging around with the wrong crowd prior to her death, his choices went downhill after losing her. His first time in jail was at age 24, but that’s history now. MPRI helped Randy to not lose hope; “your life can change in this program if the individual wants to change.” You might see Randy “canning” on a football Saturday, or helping his neighbor in her garden. He is also an advocate and speaker for MPRI.
Second Chances Change Lives
MPRI is unique in that housing is provided for the parolee for up to 6 months (the goal for most is to transition out between 3-4 months). Upon release from prison, you go directly to your parole office and people from MPRI meet you there. A housing coordinator finds you a place in shared housing; a resource specialist provides vouchers and information to help you get on your feet, and a mentor is someone to talk to. In MPRI housing, rules must be followed carefully. There is no margin of error when it comes to making it on the outside.
Other agencies that assist parolees through MPRI include: St. Vincent de Paul Society, Dept. of Human Services, and Friends in Deed. Other assistance includes a 3-month unlimited bus pass, vouchers for living supplies, food stamps, and knowledge about getting a cell phone. Parolees are expected to apply for a minimum of 8 jobs per week, keep their apartments clean, keep all appointments, and follow the ‘lockdown’ time set up with the parole officer. (Tommy’s lockdown is from 10 pm—5:30 am, which means he has to be in his apartment during that time.)
In their last capital campaign, RAAH raised $50,000 for MPRI and continues to enthusiastically support the program. Our Lenten donations will go the RAAH capital campaign, which will provide $40,000 to Avalon Housing for affordable housing. Our donations will help people like Tommy and Randy get housing and a second chance!
**Remember, organizations like MPRI, St. Vincent de Paul, and Friends in Deed are always in need of volunteers**
Fred: an interview
March 20, 2011, is "Fred: an interview"
(written by Kelly Gauthier with Mary Wakefield & P&J Committee).
Fred’s Story
A St. Francis parishioner shares this story:
For over 27 years, St. Andrew‘s Episcopal Church here in Ann Arbor has invited anyone who walks through their doors to share breakfast in the company of others, along with fellowship and conversation. This is where I met Fred.
Fred (who is in his 50’s) has had the experience of being homeless, “couch surfing”, and sleeping on the streets. He was enjoying breakfast on the day I volunteered with the “Point in Time Count” of those who are homeless in Washtenaw County (a similar count is done in our public schools to determine how many homeless students are enrolled). I was one of several people gathering information for the Count. Guidance from the Washtenaw Housing Alliance enabled us to engage in conversation without being intrusive, so we had the opportunity to hear many people’s stories.
Fred is a success story. For the past nine years, he has lived in an apartment managed by Avalon Housing. He has worked for the past two years as a groundskeeper at a local Avalon property. With his steady work and frugal ways, Fred has been able to maintain a 1-bedroom apartment. Avalon’s supportive housing offers a combination of:
• Non-profit affordable housing (for those who cannot afford housing even when spending 30% of their income on shelter) and
• Flexible, individualized support services for tenants with special needs.
This support is a lifeline for Fred and enables him to stabilize his life with meaningful work. There are many elderly tenants where Fred lives, so he takes special care to make sure they have accessible sidewalks and bus stops around his building. Fred also ensures that no one struggles with their trash or recycling, and that they get their mail. He has notified appropriate city services when city spaces are not accessible due to snow or uneven sidewalks. His humble work improves the lives of his neighbors.
We are blessed to have “Freds” in our lives; they show us every day, in small ways, how to live our Catholic Social Teaching of the sanctity and dignity of our most vulnerable neighbors.
Sufficient Income is Key to Maintaining Housing
According to data gathered in the last Point in Time Count, almost 30% of homeless individuals had attended college classes; 16% were working. The HUD 2010 Fair Market Rent for an efficiency apartment in Ann Arbor was $649/mo; the income needed to afford it (with rent consuming 30% of a person’s income) was $25,960/yr ($12.48/hr at a full-time job).
Our Lenten donations will go to the RAAH capital campaign, which will give $40,000 to Avalon Housing to help them preserve 72 affordable apartments currently owned and developed by the Washtenaw Affordable Housing Corporation. These apartments are at risk of being lost or converted to higher-cost rental units if Avalon in unable to acquire them. Our Lenten donations will help people like Fred stay housed!
**Remember, organizations like the Washtenaw Housing Alliance and Avalon Housing are always in need of volunteers**
(written by Kelly Gauthier with Mary Wakefield & P&J Committee).
Fred’s Story
A St. Francis parishioner shares this story:
For over 27 years, St. Andrew‘s Episcopal Church here in Ann Arbor has invited anyone who walks through their doors to share breakfast in the company of others, along with fellowship and conversation. This is where I met Fred.
Fred (who is in his 50’s) has had the experience of being homeless, “couch surfing”, and sleeping on the streets. He was enjoying breakfast on the day I volunteered with the “Point in Time Count” of those who are homeless in Washtenaw County (a similar count is done in our public schools to determine how many homeless students are enrolled). I was one of several people gathering information for the Count. Guidance from the Washtenaw Housing Alliance enabled us to engage in conversation without being intrusive, so we had the opportunity to hear many people’s stories.
Fred is a success story. For the past nine years, he has lived in an apartment managed by Avalon Housing. He has worked for the past two years as a groundskeeper at a local Avalon property. With his steady work and frugal ways, Fred has been able to maintain a 1-bedroom apartment. Avalon’s supportive housing offers a combination of:
• Non-profit affordable housing (for those who cannot afford housing even when spending 30% of their income on shelter) and
• Flexible, individualized support services for tenants with special needs.
This support is a lifeline for Fred and enables him to stabilize his life with meaningful work. There are many elderly tenants where Fred lives, so he takes special care to make sure they have accessible sidewalks and bus stops around his building. Fred also ensures that no one struggles with their trash or recycling, and that they get their mail. He has notified appropriate city services when city spaces are not accessible due to snow or uneven sidewalks. His humble work improves the lives of his neighbors.
We are blessed to have “Freds” in our lives; they show us every day, in small ways, how to live our Catholic Social Teaching of the sanctity and dignity of our most vulnerable neighbors.
Sufficient Income is Key to Maintaining Housing
According to data gathered in the last Point in Time Count, almost 30% of homeless individuals had attended college classes; 16% were working. The HUD 2010 Fair Market Rent for an efficiency apartment in Ann Arbor was $649/mo; the income needed to afford it (with rent consuming 30% of a person’s income) was $25,960/yr ($12.48/hr at a full-time job).
Our Lenten donations will go to the RAAH capital campaign, which will give $40,000 to Avalon Housing to help them preserve 72 affordable apartments currently owned and developed by the Washtenaw Affordable Housing Corporation. These apartments are at risk of being lost or converted to higher-cost rental units if Avalon in unable to acquire them. Our Lenten donations will help people like Fred stay housed!
**Remember, organizations like the Washtenaw Housing Alliance and Avalon Housing are always in need of volunteers**
My Family is Homeless
March 13, 2011, is "My Family is Homeless"
(written by Kelly Gauthier with Marge Hermes & Jim Varani & P&J Committe).
Shari’s Story
Shari called IHN @ Alpha House seeking shelter when her family faced eviction because they owed several months of back rent. After being added to the shelter’s wait list, she was contacted by the IHN Family Outreach Specialist, who discovered that Shari had made contact with other community organizations and successfully secured some of the needed back rent – but not all. The IHN Outreach Specialist contacted other community organizations and ultimately secured the full amount of rent owed, preventing Shari’s eviction.
Shari was facing medical issues and was concerned about how those would impact her employment, and potentially endanger her family’s housing again. She received a referral to the Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program (a stimulus-funded Washtenaw County program) that ensured Shari’s rent would be paid during her medical leave and that she would be able to maintain her housing until she returned to work.
A Growing Need
With high unemployment and foreclosures, families are the fastest growing segment of the homeless population in Washtenaw County. Demand for shelter services has risen dramatically in the past three years. The waiting list at the Alpha House family shelter (previously 25-30 families) now averages about 50 families, and reached a high of 120 families during the winter of 2009-10. Shelter resources are stretched past their limits, and both federal and local affordable housing wait lists are closed to new applicants. This leaves many desperate families with nowhere to turn when they need help.
Our Lenten donations will go to the RAAH capital campaign, which will give $40,000 to the SOS Community Services Housing First Program. This program provides low-income families with rent subsidies for up to 2 years, along with case management, support groups, children’s services, and other critical resources (participating families pay up to 30% of their income for housing). Nearly 92% of the families that have completed this program maintained their housing without interruption—they did not have to experience the agony of homelessness. Our Lenten donations will help families (like Shari’s) stay housed!
**Remember, organizations like Alpha House, SOS, and RAAH are always in need of volunteers**
(written by Kelly Gauthier with Marge Hermes & Jim Varani & P&J Committe).
Shari’s Story
Shari called IHN @ Alpha House seeking shelter when her family faced eviction because they owed several months of back rent. After being added to the shelter’s wait list, she was contacted by the IHN Family Outreach Specialist, who discovered that Shari had made contact with other community organizations and successfully secured some of the needed back rent – but not all. The IHN Outreach Specialist contacted other community organizations and ultimately secured the full amount of rent owed, preventing Shari’s eviction.
Shari was facing medical issues and was concerned about how those would impact her employment, and potentially endanger her family’s housing again. She received a referral to the Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program (a stimulus-funded Washtenaw County program) that ensured Shari’s rent would be paid during her medical leave and that she would be able to maintain her housing until she returned to work.
A Growing Need
With high unemployment and foreclosures, families are the fastest growing segment of the homeless population in Washtenaw County. Demand for shelter services has risen dramatically in the past three years. The waiting list at the Alpha House family shelter (previously 25-30 families) now averages about 50 families, and reached a high of 120 families during the winter of 2009-10. Shelter resources are stretched past their limits, and both federal and local affordable housing wait lists are closed to new applicants. This leaves many desperate families with nowhere to turn when they need help.
Our Lenten donations will go to the RAAH capital campaign, which will give $40,000 to the SOS Community Services Housing First Program. This program provides low-income families with rent subsidies for up to 2 years, along with case management, support groups, children’s services, and other critical resources (participating families pay up to 30% of their income for housing). Nearly 92% of the families that have completed this program maintained their housing without interruption—they did not have to experience the agony of homelessness. Our Lenten donations will help families (like Shari’s) stay housed!
**Remember, organizations like Alpha House, SOS, and RAAH are always in need of volunteers**
Where do you go when you have nowhere to go
March 6, 2011, is "Where do you go when you have nowhere to go?"
(written by Kelly Gauthier & with P&J Committee).
Introducing our
Sack Homelessness Sack!
Where do you go when you have nowhere to go?
Imagine that you are:
• A young adult who is aging out of foster care and unemployed (the unemployment rate for youth today is about 20%). You have no family support; no one to lend you money or give you a place to stay. Where do you turn?
• A woman whose husband left and is not paying child support. You have been a stay-at-home mom for years, but are now trying to enter the job market. The bill collectors are calling; the car was repossessed and the house is in foreclosure. Where do you go? Even if you can qualify for welfare assistance, a cash payment is only $500/month for a family of three—not even enough for a studio apartment. The local homeless shelter has a 90-day waiting list. The waiting list for a federal housing voucher is closed; so is the waiting list for the City’s affordable housing. What do you do?
• A full-time clerk in a retail store who takes home $1,300 a month. The cheapest apartment within ten miles of your job costs $550 per month + utilities—half your income. You can’t afford a car, so you can’t move far from a bus route. What do you do?
• A person who served time in prison for robbery and is trying to make a new start. You were released with little more than the clothes on your back. Nobody will hire you because of your prison record. You have no family to help and your old friends will be a bad influence, so you don’t want to return to them. What do you do?
These are not just imaginary scenarios. These are the lives of real people. Our neighbors. Lacking a strong social safety net, Americans mostly rely on family members to assist us when we are in need. But if you have no family or friends who can help, where do you turn?
The Catholic Church says that housing is a human right. And social service agencies know that every person’s primary need is to obtain decent, stable housing; other issues are best addressed after housing is secured. But for too many people, this is little more than a dream. A lack of affordable housing means that some people have to move far from their jobs and spend hours each day commuting (creating pollution, wasting resources, and taking time away from the things they would rather be doing). Some have to “double up” with family members in an already crowded home; others “couch surf” with friends. Some find a temporary bed in a shelter; others end up on the street or in a tent.
During Lent we will focus on housing insecurity in Washtenaw County, sharing real people’s struggles to find affordable housing. Our “Have a Heart” sacks will raise funds for the Religious Action for Affordable Housing (RAAH) capital campaign. These funds will be used for emergency housing needs and, most importantly, will be used to build or purchase affordable housing locally. Affordable housing is critical. It keeps people from becoming homeless in the first place.
We hope that you will join our efforts. Lent is a time for prayer, service, and almsgiving. It is a great opportunity to hear the experiences of our most vulnerable neighbors, and do what we can to help.
A Compelling Argument For Affordable Housing in Washtenaw County We are raising money for the RAAH campaign, which exists mainly to support AFFORDABLE HOUSING. This is the most important way that any community anywhere can fight homelessness. By having homes that people who live and work in the community can actually afford to buy or rent, it prevents low-income people from becoming homeless or having to double-up or triple-up with family or friends.
This is the critical piece of the puzzle that is missing in Ann Arbor and much of Washtenaw County. The price of housing in Washtenaw County is almost double the price of housing paid out in the rural small towns of Michigan.
This is why so many people are "at risk" in Ann Arbor. A full-time job that pays $9/hr will net about $1,200/mo. How can this worker then rent a home for $1,000 or $1,500/mo? And if the worker does rent for that price, what's left for s/he and family to live on? For those who live on SSI (disability), their entire monthly check is about $650/mo. A mother on welfare who has two kids gets a cash check of just under $500/mo. Is there anywhere at all for those people to live in Ann Arbor? Or even in Ypsilanti or Willow Run, it's hard to find housing they can afford. On top of everything else, we have lost hundreds of local affordable housing units over the past few years as co-ops turn into condos and older affordable housing is torn down or sold and "rehabed" and the rents are then tripled.
Lack of affordable housing is one of the primary "root causes" of homelessness and it's rarely discussed for fundraising because it isn't as compelling as raising money for a shelter or an emergency aid program. Without it, though, there is no foundation for low-wage workers, the unemployed, the disabled and elderly on fixed incomes, those on welfare, etc. to build their life upon.
(written by Kelly Gauthier & with P&J Committee).
Introducing our
Sack Homelessness Sack!
Where do you go when you have nowhere to go?
Imagine that you are:
• A young adult who is aging out of foster care and unemployed (the unemployment rate for youth today is about 20%). You have no family support; no one to lend you money or give you a place to stay. Where do you turn?
• A woman whose husband left and is not paying child support. You have been a stay-at-home mom for years, but are now trying to enter the job market. The bill collectors are calling; the car was repossessed and the house is in foreclosure. Where do you go? Even if you can qualify for welfare assistance, a cash payment is only $500/month for a family of three—not even enough for a studio apartment. The local homeless shelter has a 90-day waiting list. The waiting list for a federal housing voucher is closed; so is the waiting list for the City’s affordable housing. What do you do?
• A full-time clerk in a retail store who takes home $1,300 a month. The cheapest apartment within ten miles of your job costs $550 per month + utilities—half your income. You can’t afford a car, so you can’t move far from a bus route. What do you do?
• A person who served time in prison for robbery and is trying to make a new start. You were released with little more than the clothes on your back. Nobody will hire you because of your prison record. You have no family to help and your old friends will be a bad influence, so you don’t want to return to them. What do you do?
These are not just imaginary scenarios. These are the lives of real people. Our neighbors. Lacking a strong social safety net, Americans mostly rely on family members to assist us when we are in need. But if you have no family or friends who can help, where do you turn?
The Catholic Church says that housing is a human right. And social service agencies know that every person’s primary need is to obtain decent, stable housing; other issues are best addressed after housing is secured. But for too many people, this is little more than a dream. A lack of affordable housing means that some people have to move far from their jobs and spend hours each day commuting (creating pollution, wasting resources, and taking time away from the things they would rather be doing). Some have to “double up” with family members in an already crowded home; others “couch surf” with friends. Some find a temporary bed in a shelter; others end up on the street or in a tent.
During Lent we will focus on housing insecurity in Washtenaw County, sharing real people’s struggles to find affordable housing. Our “Have a Heart” sacks will raise funds for the Religious Action for Affordable Housing (RAAH) capital campaign. These funds will be used for emergency housing needs and, most importantly, will be used to build or purchase affordable housing locally. Affordable housing is critical. It keeps people from becoming homeless in the first place.
We hope that you will join our efforts. Lent is a time for prayer, service, and almsgiving. It is a great opportunity to hear the experiences of our most vulnerable neighbors, and do what we can to help.
This is the critical piece of the puzzle that is missing in Ann Arbor and much of Washtenaw County. The price of housing in Washtenaw County is almost double the price of housing paid out in the rural small towns of Michigan.
This is why so many people are "at risk" in Ann Arbor. A full-time job that pays $9/hr will net about $1,200/mo. How can this worker then rent a home for $1,000 or $1,500/mo? And if the worker does rent for that price, what's left for s/he and family to live on? For those who live on SSI (disability), their entire monthly check is about $650/mo. A mother on welfare who has two kids gets a cash check of just under $500/mo. Is there anywhere at all for those people to live in Ann Arbor? Or even in Ypsilanti or Willow Run, it's hard to find housing they can afford. On top of everything else, we have lost hundreds of local affordable housing units over the past few years as co-ops turn into condos and older affordable housing is torn down or sold and "rehabed" and the rents are then tripled.
Lack of affordable housing is one of the primary "root causes" of homelessness and it's rarely discussed for fundraising because it isn't as compelling as raising money for a shelter or an emergency aid program. Without it, though, there is no foundation for low-wage workers, the unemployed, the disabled and elderly on fixed incomes, those on welfare, etc. to build their life upon.
Thanks for My Home/Family
April 10, 2011, is "Thanks for My Home/Family"
(written by Steve Dubuc, Stephen Minister).
“Carey’s” Story
A St. Francis parishioner, Steve DuBuc, shares this story:
I volunteer in the Stephen Ministry, which provides a beautiful opportunity to bring Christian caring to people who are at a point in life where their spirit needs the love and healing of Jesus Christ.
My Care Receiver (we’ll call him “Carey”, get it?) does not fit the image many of us have of homelessness. Despite working his entire adult life, this was his situation in October 2010. A series of tragedies befell Carey over a 2-year period, including the deaths of several people close to him (one by suicide); a serious auto accident that left him in therapy and unable to continue in his high-paid job; a divorce and the subsequent placement of his children in foster care by their mother, against his wishes. Finally, with his savings exhausted and seasonal work ended, Carey became homeless.
Can you imagine it? Having no money, no place to live—and the pain of wanting to reunite with your children, but having no resources whatsoever to go forward?
To Carey’s credit, he never turned away from God. Instead, he reflects on his past and asks God to soften his heart and to guide him. To the credit of Saint Francis parish, we are a conduit through which God meets Carey’s needs. Carey receives critical legal help from a parish volunteer. He receives money for housing through parish funds. He receives Christian care (encouragement, support, brotherhood) from his Stephen Minister. He experiences God’s love through the people of St. Francis parish.
Carey now has a stable apartment, is finding work, and expects to reunite (sole custody) with his children next month. He still faces financial, parenting, and emotional/spiritual challenges, but St. Francis parish will continue to support Carey on his journey.
YOU Can Make a Difference
Unexpected tragedy can befall any of us at any time; no one is immune. Jesus teaches us to join together and create a community to support each other in our times of need. Every one of us has special skills and talents that we can use to help others—whether we work as a Stephen Minister, or volunteer at a food pantry, or use our professional skills to provide free or low-cost care to those who cannot afford to pay for it.
Our Lenten donations will go to the RAAH capital campaign, which will use $20,000 to create a Special Fund to respond to the needs of local housing organizations. The downturn in the economy has put even greater pressure on local nonprofit groups that serve the homeless. The demand for their services has increased, while financial contributions from grants and donations have declined. This special fund will be used to address the ongoing needs of these groups so they can continue to serve the neediest in our community. Our Lenten donations will help people like Carey stay housed!
**Remember, St. Francis offers many ways to volunteer and local nonprofits are always in need of volunteers**
(written by Steve Dubuc, Stephen Minister).
“Carey’s” Story
A St. Francis parishioner, Steve DuBuc, shares this story:
I volunteer in the Stephen Ministry, which provides a beautiful opportunity to bring Christian caring to people who are at a point in life where their spirit needs the love and healing of Jesus Christ.
My Care Receiver (we’ll call him “Carey”, get it?) does not fit the image many of us have of homelessness. Despite working his entire adult life, this was his situation in October 2010. A series of tragedies befell Carey over a 2-year period, including the deaths of several people close to him (one by suicide); a serious auto accident that left him in therapy and unable to continue in his high-paid job; a divorce and the subsequent placement of his children in foster care by their mother, against his wishes. Finally, with his savings exhausted and seasonal work ended, Carey became homeless.
Can you imagine it? Having no money, no place to live—and the pain of wanting to reunite with your children, but having no resources whatsoever to go forward?
To Carey’s credit, he never turned away from God. Instead, he reflects on his past and asks God to soften his heart and to guide him. To the credit of Saint Francis parish, we are a conduit through which God meets Carey’s needs. Carey receives critical legal help from a parish volunteer. He receives money for housing through parish funds. He receives Christian care (encouragement, support, brotherhood) from his Stephen Minister. He experiences God’s love through the people of St. Francis parish.
Carey now has a stable apartment, is finding work, and expects to reunite (sole custody) with his children next month. He still faces financial, parenting, and emotional/spiritual challenges, but St. Francis parish will continue to support Carey on his journey.
YOU Can Make a Difference
Unexpected tragedy can befall any of us at any time; no one is immune. Jesus teaches us to join together and create a community to support each other in our times of need. Every one of us has special skills and talents that we can use to help others—whether we work as a Stephen Minister, or volunteer at a food pantry, or use our professional skills to provide free or low-cost care to those who cannot afford to pay for it.
Our Lenten donations will go to the RAAH capital campaign, which will use $20,000 to create a Special Fund to respond to the needs of local housing organizations. The downturn in the economy has put even greater pressure on local nonprofit groups that serve the homeless. The demand for their services has increased, while financial contributions from grants and donations have declined. This special fund will be used to address the ongoing needs of these groups so they can continue to serve the neediest in our community. Our Lenten donations will help people like Carey stay housed!
**Remember, St. Francis offers many ways to volunteer and local nonprofits are always in need of volunteers**
Prayers of the Faithful
Please join us in praying these housing-themed
2011 Lenten Season Prayers of the Faithful
(written by Kelly Gauthier). Oh Lord, bless our efforts in using our Lenten - Sack Homelessness Sack, we pray to you Lord.
For those who are homeless and for the poor and unemployed, we pray to you Lord.
For those whose housing is at risk, we pray to you Lord.
For the many who do not earn enough to afford a home, we pray to you Lord.
For those who are homeless, that they may be housed, we pray to you Lord.
For the vulnerable of our society, especially the homeless, that we uphold their dignity as children of God, we pray to you Lord.
For those who provide loving and compassionate care to the homeless and all those in need, we pray to you Lord.
For the inspiration to lift up the poor, the hungry, the homeless, and all those in our midst who are suffering, we pray to you Lord.
For the poor, the homeless, the addicted, and those begging on the street, may we not turn away from them, and instead may we earnestly attempt to lighten their load, we pray to you Lord.
That our hearts may be open to share our time, talent, and treasure with our neighbors who are homeless or at risk, we pray to you Lord.
That You give us generous hearts to share our blessings with those who are homeless or in need in our neighborhood, country, and world, we pray to you Lord.
That we may bring hope and sustenance those who are lonely, those who are homeless, those who are tired and penniless, we pray to you Lord.
That we may be a compassionate community, ready to stand alongside those who suffer the burden of poverty and homelessness, we pray to you Lord.
Help us to minister to those whom our society turns away from: the homeless; the unemployed; the disabled; the immigrant, we pray to you Lord.
(written by Kelly Gauthier).
For those who are homeless and for the poor and unemployed, we pray to you Lord.
For those whose housing is at risk, we pray to you Lord.
For the many who do not earn enough to afford a home, we pray to you Lord.
For those who are homeless, that they may be housed, we pray to you Lord.
For the vulnerable of our society, especially the homeless, that we uphold their dignity as children of God, we pray to you Lord.
For those who provide loving and compassionate care to the homeless and all those in need, we pray to you Lord.
For the inspiration to lift up the poor, the hungry, the homeless, and all those in our midst who are suffering, we pray to you Lord.
For the poor, the homeless, the addicted, and those begging on the street, may we not turn away from them, and instead may we earnestly attempt to lighten their load, we pray to you Lord.
That our hearts may be open to share our time, talent, and treasure with our neighbors who are homeless or at risk, we pray to you Lord.
That You give us generous hearts to share our blessings with those who are homeless or in need in our neighborhood, country, and world, we pray to you Lord.
That we may bring hope and sustenance those who are lonely, those who are homeless, those who are tired and penniless, we pray to you Lord.
That we may be a compassionate community, ready to stand alongside those who suffer the burden of poverty and homelessness, we pray to you Lord.
Help us to minister to those whom our society turns away from: the homeless; the unemployed; the disabled; the immigrant, we pray to you Lord.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)