When our StreetWatch team goes to bridges, camps and corners to do outreach with homeless people, God goes with us. And today, He really blessed us. Our newest team member, Kirstin, wrote about it on her blog: “…So instead of doing laundry, I spent the morning putting together hygiene bags … > read more
Melissa and I met a new friend at the Freeman Mill tent city on Friday while we were doing StreetWatch. Jeffrey told us that he’s not homeless, “just a vagabond”, and he played and sang music for us and let me film him. The first thing he played was, I … > read more
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
One of the most disturbing effects of the US recession is the increasingly public and brazen contempt for the poor shown by many who begrudge them any form of government assistance. The disrespect, derision and condescension for the poor that is so often displayed during political discussions is being justified … > read more
Previously posted on 4/29/2006 with the title “Andrea, formerly homeless” Notes taken at NightWatch benefit concert, 04/08/06, during a talk by Andrea, formerly homeless: “I know what saved me and it wasn’t rehab.” Andrea was living on the street, smoking crack, prostituting herself, she was raped, and she experienced the … > 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
Melissa Willis is an expert on homelessness. From News & Record: “A cold rain that sometimes turned to sleet throughout the day likely kept people away from corners where they usually panhandle, volunteer Melissa ‘Byrd’ Willis, 25, said. Willis, who was homeless when she was in her teens, said the … > read more
 I just got off the phone with Mark. He started his new job earlier this week and moved into his apartment today. When Audrie and I met him while doing StreetWatch in 2009, Mark was living in a homeless camp. He eventually left the camp and had several different … > read more
From a commenter: Hello: My name is David. I am 69 years old ( I have a hip replacement) and I can’t do very much! I attend Calvary Chapel in Costa Mesa, Calif. I hope you will read this e-mail. I thought it might be of some interest to you. … > read more
According to a report released today, Greensboro’s seven winter emergency shelters collectively hosted 205 people between 12/01/2009 and 03/31/2010. Some demographics about those who stayed in Greensboro’s winter homeless shelters this year: 55 women 150 men 13% age 18-30 years (youngest 18) 72% age 31-55 years 15% 56 years or … > read more