Tag Archives: volunteer

Posted
August 19, 2012
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StreetWatch: Building relationships with unsheltered homeless

Michele Forrest of StreetWatch and ChosenFast.com

 

In 2000, Michele Forrest served her first meal to people experiencing homelessness. At that time, she did not know she was about to find her calling. After this experience at Grace Community Church, Forrest was hooked.

‘It felt like home from the first time I did it,’ she said…

>> via “StreetWatch: Building relationships with unsheltered homeless” at The Greensboro Voice

Mary Yost interviewed me to learn the story of StreetWatch. Thanks, Mary.

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"Ninja Helps a Homeless Child," by Elliot Hoppins

Ninja in the media

Remember Elliot? He made the paper! The Greensboro Voice tells his story this month:

“I am helping the homeless, one ninja at a time,” said young entrepreneur Elliot Hoppins, whose ninja drawings and T-shirts have been available on Etsy.com since May. Elliot donates half of his earnings to people experiencing homelessness in Greensboro and has saved enough money to buy needed items for people living in the tent city near Freeman Mills.

“The whole idea of being homeless horrifies me,” he said.

Elliot thinks people experiencing homelessness are represented by his ninja drawings and that in his imagination, the ninjas always win. He thinks these ninjas symbolize a battle that is unseen because people often have internal battles they are fighting. However, Elliot also knows that in the real world, ninjas do not always win and that they can encounter setbacks.

>> Buy Elliot’s Ninja Art here!

Posted
January 29, 2011
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Melissa makes it count

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 annual [homeless] count is important because the funding can help improve services.

‘I’ve lived it. I’ve been in their shoes,’ Willis said. ‘I know how it feels to be outside and trying your best every day to try to make things better for yourself.’”

I met Melissa when she was 16 and homeless. Today, she is a friend who I respect and admire, and who inspires me by her love for God and people, and her ministry to the homeless and poor.

The only experts on homelessness are people who’ve been homeless. I’m not an expert, just a grateful, blessed friend of experts — like Melissa.

Love you, Bird. ♥

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Note: The article “Volunteers scour streets” is available on A1 of the Thursday, January 27, 2011 e-edition of the News & Record (requires registration).

Posted
December 22, 2010
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Merry Christmas from Burrito Bikers

Via email from Hayes Holderness of Greensboro Burrito Bikers:

 

image credit: Hayes Holderness, Burrito Bikers

Another great morning [Saturday, 12/18/2010]. We served around 60+ people, but had plenty of food due to a number of new volunteers today. So great to see the spirit spread to others. I even had a couple of new guys bike with me (Larry and Andrew).

Don and Shawn and Sarah are very close to getting out of the woods and into housing as of January 1. Many people have helped donate to gifts for Shawn/Sarah’s boys. Lee showed up just for fellowship – didn’t want to take food because he’s inside and has a job, that he’s very proud of. Shorty said he got a settlement on his car lawsuit and plans to put the money to use to help other homeless. Other guys from Winter Emergency shelters showed up to have coffee but didn’t want to take burritos – the homeless look out for each other in this way. Most are very caring and are so appreciative of any caring extended their way…

We also had Christmas music this morning. I took an old boombox and made up some CD’s, both with traditional hymnals as well as popular cheery Christmas songs. People really liked it. A few were singing amonst themselves.

Finally, for those of you who don’t often visit our wiki page, and might think of joining us this Saturday morning, which is Christmas: We will NOT be at our regular spot. There are some churches getting together to sponsor a seated Christmas breakfast at the Methodist Church (302 W Market St) at 9:00 am Christmas morning. So we will take our burritos there and help serve and enjoy the Christmas spirit. Anyone is welcome, and you don’t need to bring anything. Come for as long or as short as you can stay – they expect the whole service, including breakfast, singing, and some gift giving will take a couple of hours.

We’ll be back at [the sidewalk outside Center City] park on New Year’s Day, at 8:00[am].

Merry Christmas to all. :)

Note: I deleted a paragraph about a gift a homeless man made as a surprise for someone. I hope to write about that one later, when I know it’s been delivered.

» Visit Greensboro Burrito Bikers wiki page
» Visit Greensboro Burrito Bikers Facebook group

Posted
November 10, 2010
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An average day at Greensboro Urban Ministry

From Greensboro Urban Ministry:

An Average Day at Greensboro Urban Ministry…

  • Potter’s House Community Kitchen serves breakfast, lunch and supper to more than 600 people each day.
  • The Food Bank distributes emergency food orders to 30-50 families and provides 20 non-profits with hundreds of pounds of food.
  • The Emergency Assistance Program helps prevent homelessness by assisting 180 people with rent, mortgage, utility bills, clothing and food.
  • Partnership Village provides 68 transitional apartments with support services to formerly homeless families and individuals working toward self-sufficiency.
  • Weaver House provides safe, secure emergency housing for 100 homeless adults. WE! (Winter Emergency) Program helps provide shelter for an additional 100 homeless men and women in the winter at several satellite locations.
  • Pathways Center provides emergency housing for 16 homeless families. And Beyond Pathways, our Housing First program, rapidly rehouses 20 homeless families from the emergency shelter. Both programs provide extensive support services leading to permanent, stable housing.
  • Volunteer Services has 123 actively involved volunteers giving freely of their time by preparing meals, interviewing clients, and performing various other activities.
  • The Chaplaincy Program ensures that 70 guests, staff and volunteers receive spiritual food.
  • The Madeline B. McElveen Child Development Center provides quality childcare for the 160 children, ranging in age from toddlers on up, who live in the Partnership Village neighborhood.

    • » Visit Greensboro Urban Ministry’s web site for details on these ministries, to find out how to donate and volunteer, and to learn about current fundraising events that you can attend. Also, join Greensboro Urban Ministry on Facebook.