Yesterday morning, I sat alone in my car before church, thinking about all the homeless people who were back on the street now that the winter shelters had closed a few hours earlier. Eventually, I looked out my car window and saw a man sitting alone on the stage in … > read more
Guest post, by Melissa Gayle: you don’t know my story, only bits and pieces, i treat homelessness like its my main thesis. I’ve walked in those shoes, I’ve slept on those streets, i used to be chronically homeless,and ppl looked at me like i was a disease.that was me, you … > read more
A Circle of Protection: A statement on why we need to protect programs for the poor, signed by more than 50 Christian leaders — Evangelical, Roman Catholic, mainline Protestants, African-American, and Latino: In the face of historic deficits, the nation faces unavoidable choices about how to balance needs and resources … > read more
I’ve been studying what the Bible has to say about caring for the poor, the hungry, the homeless, and the hurting. I came across a really thought-provoking article on the internet: …Sometimes Christians, in their eagerness to be compassionate and Christ-like, fail to recognize that God put limitations on this … > read more
Met with my friend John today, and his friend, who lives on the street in Greensboro. John talked about following your passion and helping others: “One person with passion and courage becomes a majority.” – John Haynes I loved it. I wrote it on my napkin so I could share … > read more
“While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, ‘Take and eat; this is my body.’ Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of … > read more
The cold weather shelter programs at both homeless shelters ended yesterday, and Greensboro Urban Ministry Executive Director Mike Aiken and Salvation Army Major Paul Egan say they won’t reopen before next winter unless the weather becomes life-threatening. Salvation Army was providing emergency shelter for about 40-50 people, and Greensboro Urban … > read more
I’m trying to better understand addiction and how to be a friend to my friends in recovery — how to help without hurting or enabling. This morning before church, I had breakfast with a friend who’s battling addiction, primarily to crack cocaine. I asked questions and wrote notes while we … > read more
Liz told me about a grassroots, self-governed homeless center in Milwaukee, called Repairers of the Breach, which aims “to bring forth homeless people to act collectively to change the present conditions under which they live, through advocacy/education and direct action.” I really like their mission and vision. So the other … > read more
My friend Liz lives in a collective house, which I find quite intriguing. I’m also drawn to the idea of Catholic Worker Hospitality Houses for the homeless. I’ve thought a lot about how to integrate serving the poor and homeless with collective living, intentional community and communal farming — from … > read more