I think many who have a certain picture in their mind of who calls an emergency shelter home may be surprised by who our guests at Churches United really are.
As I go out into the community to speak at churches, service clubs and various other events, many folks are surprised at the stories about our guests that I share. … Unfortunately, it seems that Hollywood movies and TV shows aren’t an accurate job of portraying who our guests are.
So let me share just a little about our neighbors who are coming to Micah’s Mission, both to receive shelter and also for a warm meal or to use a bathroom or even just grab a coveted shower.
Among our guests, there are …
Families. If this surprises you, it shouldn’t. Children under the age of 5 are one of the fastest growing demographics of people who are unsheltered. And so our family unit, which houses up to 13 families at a time, is here to provide safe shelter.
Thanks to our recent renovation at Micah’s Mission, those families can live together in a unique and secure pod where only the families reside. There, they have access to a common shared space that offers a fridge, a washer and dryer and bathroom/shower facilities. And no one, other than staff, is allowed in the unit. I am grateful that we have a safe space to offer while we work to find them housing.
Seniors. Does it surprise you to know that seniors also are one of the fastest growing demographics of homelessness? It is, and so, yes, many seniors utilize our services too. Not only do seniors being priced out of their homes come to us for shelter, but a large number of seniors also come to our Community Center for its meals, free to anyone in the community. While the idea of seniors being unsheltered or going hungry is heartbreaking, it grows my heart to know that we have a safe place and a nutritious meal to offer them when they arrive at our mission.
Those out of work. Contrary to popular opinion, it’s not exactly easy to find work, especially when you have a number of complicating factors. No government identification, no physical address and no phone? Generally, not a lot of employers are beating down the door to hire you. … Add in a criminal record, and your chances of getting a call back are drastically reduced even more. So, yes, we’re here to provide a safe place for those out of work as well.
Those struggling with mental health. Generally, three out of four people who come through our intake process disclose that they are struggling with a mental health issue. This can be for any number of reasons, but some can’t afford the prescriptions they need, others have suffered years upon years of trauma, and others just need assistance in managing their mental health care needs. The mental health crisis in America isn’t abating anytime soon, and for a number of our guests, they have nowhere else to turn. So I am proud that our staff, especially our advocates, are here to help.
Survivors of abuse. Some of our guests find their way to our shelter because they have or are experiencing abuse, and it’s no longer safe to stay where they are. This happens in real time for those presently experiencing abuse, as well as those who are survivors of abuse but are struggling to piece together a stable life after escaping their dangerous circumstances. … Remember, part of our mission at Churches United is to also help people heal. And so we are here for these guests as well.
Those with addictions. Yes, we’re here to serve guests with addiction issues too. It’s not our role to treat guests with addictions, but we do exist to try to give those who are fighting addictions a safe place to be and to find a nutritious meal, as frankly their options to find either are few if they are also homeless. Sometimes this proves to be difficult when our various guests mix, but overall there is a cooperative community spirit that pervades Micah’s Mission. And I see the Holy Spirit at work every day in our work with those with addictions.
Those needing medical care. Many may be unaware that we are blessed to have Sanford nurses serving right on site at Micah’s Mission, and last year they cared for 2,000 guests right in our setting. This service not only keeps many folks out of our local emergency rooms, but it also provides medical care to some folks who possess grave concerns about entering a hospital. And I am grateful every day for the nurses who serve our facilities. They have hearts for this mission, and our guests are fortunate they are here.
I could go on, of course, because the list of our neighbors who utilize our services is long and varied. The bottom line is that there’s no one stereotype about who may find their way to Micah’s Mission for shelter or a meal, or who may find their way to the Dorothy Day Food Pantry to help supplement their monthly grocery dollars.
If you’re curious about who our guests are, let’s talk. Invite me to your church or service club meeting.
Talk to anyone on our staff who proudly serves our neighbors with care and compassion.
Or better yet, come to the shelter for a meal. You’ll see that the guests who utilize a shelter are just like you and me. … In fact, you’ll see that they are our neighbors. Amen.
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