From Greensboro Urban Ministry press release:
Date: Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Gathering: 5:00 p.m., Greensboro Urban Ministry (GUM), 305 W. Lee St.
Walk begins: 5:30 p.m., GUM; ends Grace Community Church, 643 W. Lee St.
Worship Service: 6:00 p.m., Grace
Community Dinner for the homeless: 6:30 p.m, Grace
Read more on Greensboro Homeless Memorial Walk and Worship Service…
A Mental Health America news alert:
Mental health parity is at risk!
Thousands of people like you made a difference and helped win unanimous Senate passage of the Mental Health Parity Act of 2007 (S. 558) in September. You also helped build broad support for a strong House bill. But we face a growing risk that parity legislation could get lost in the jousting over other priority issues. A failure to enact a parity bill this year could set back the parity movement for a long time. Let’s not let that happen!
Read more on Take Action: Mental health parity at risk!…
Paul Nagy of the Duke Addictions Program responds to the News & Record’s editorial questions on the new county drug treatment center:
“The scientific/medical community has moved away from assuming that individuals should be treated identically. People are unique, live in different environments, and are exposed to different “triggers” that can break the momentum of recovery. Substance abuse centers across the country are tailoring treatments to individual consumer needs. This is exactly what Bridgeway will be doing.”
Read more on Nagy Responds: County Center Will Tailor Treatment to Needs…
“Cafe Claus,” a Christmas-themed pampering event for homeless women and children in transitional housing programs, emergency shelters, and substance abuse recovery facilities in Greensboro, is coming up on December 1st. Find out how you can help.
For GPD:
Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare of the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I am trusting him. For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from the fatal plague. He will shield you with his wings. He will shelter you with his feathers. His faithful promises are your armor and protection.
Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor fear the dangers of the day, nor dread the plague that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday. Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you. But you will see it with your eyes; you will see how the wicked are punished.
If you make the Lord your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your dwelling. For he orders his angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you with their hands to keep you from striking your foot on a stone. You will trample down lions and poisonous snakes; you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet!
The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue them and honor them. I will satisfy them with a long life and give them my salvation.”
The News & Record published an editorial on Sunday, Nov. 18th, questioning the approach and mission of the county’s planned new substance abuse treatment center, scheduled to open in 2008. The editorial quotes local drug treatment providers and advocates who express concerns about the qualifications of the provider chosen by the county, and about whether or not the new facility will provide the long-term residential treatment for indigent clients that county commissioners committed to previously.
Read more on “Double-Talk on Crack,” or Right on Track?…
I got a message from a friend earlier today to tune into WSTV’s re-broadcast of last night’s Winston Salem City Council meeting. They were discussing the homeless issue, and at the point that I started watching, a speaker was suggesting that EMS pick up homeless people and take them to the hospital for shelter to get them out of the cold.
Read more on Using A Hospital As A Homeless Shelter?…
From an IM conversation today with a homeless friend:
“any word on a day center? such a place would be great at times like this when holidays close all the public buildings”
The City libraries are closed Thursday, Friday and Saturday for the Thanksgiving holiday. The downtown library is a de facto day center for our homeless friends. UNCG’s Jackson Library, another refuge for the homeless, is closed Thursday and Friday, and open limited hours on Saturday and Sunday.
Read more on Where Do You Go When You’re Homeless On A Holiday?…
From the Winston Salem Journal, 11/20/2007:
“In other action last night, the council… [w]ithdrew a bid to suspend a law restricting how many beds homeless shelters are allowed to have. The council had proposed raising the bed limit from 100 to 125 to handle overflow of homeless people at shelters. But the proposed increase would not have helped because the four major shelters are already at maximum capacity.”
Read more on Winston Keeps Cap On Shelter Beds…
The Winston Salem City Council voted last night to spend $40,500 to hire Risk Management Associates to audit WSPD’s criminal investigations division. More here.
I guess their Council members don’t read the Rhino…
Read more on Winston To Get Its Own RMA Report…
From Zack Exley at “Revolution in Jesusland,” re: “progressive evangelicals” v. “liberal Christians:”
“As I thought about it, I realized that every sermon I’ve ever heard at one of these Bible-based churches were about a sacrifice that you have to make for God. They’re about sacrificing for your kids, your spouse, your community, the poor…and to God. All those various sacrifices are all sacrifices you’re making to God, because, for example, by sacrificing for the poor, you’re obeying God’s commands.
Read more on Covenantal Christians…
A record crowd for the 16th annual Greensboro Urban Ministry Feast of Caring.
Read more on Photos: 2007 Greensboro Urban Ministry Feast of Caring…