Helping the Alondra Park Homeless
Donation protected
Are you looking for a practical way to spread the Christmas spirit of Love a little further? For over the past two years, I have been increasingly drawn to helping the homeless in the Alondra Park - Crenshaw Boulevard area of Gardena. The majority of these people either live in or around Alondra Park or down in the Dominguez Canal between El Camino College and the park. Their basic needs are obvious: food, shelter and comfort. The church I minister at as Associate Pastor, Community of Hope, does provide two weekly meals at the church itself, as well as a weekly meal in Alondra Park. The area homeless population varies, so on a weekly basis we minister to between 25 and over 50 individuals.
Although this area does have access to welfare relief from both government and charitable organizations, the majority of these people cherish their independent lifestyle, actually shying away from any institutional help due to fear of losing their individual freedom. As I continue to befriend this community of people, I have come to learn that their needs extend beyond the basics. Like anyone else they need and crave love, friendship and acceptance. Living outside of established lifestyle norms has put the homeless at odds with the rest of society and has nurtured their marginalization. Do we let these people just fend for themselves because they do not want the institutional answer? Do we just watch silently, ignoring the need, hoping the problem will just work itself out?
I believe I have been called to love these people without pretenses, without judgment, and without the need to try to fix them. Feeding them, listening to them, praying with them, and just spending time with them are a few ways that I have tried to build a loving relationship with them. I have come to learn that one of their primary comfort issues is staying warm at night, even during moderate weather. With this problem in mind, I have decided to partner with the Empowerment Plan, based in Detroit, Michigan (http://www.empowermentplan.org/about). Veronika Scott, the founder of the Empowerment Plan, has created a specially designed coat that transforms into a sleeping bag. Since 2012, her non-profit organization has hired over 45 previously homeless individuals to manufacture and distribute more than 25,000 coats worldwide. I showed a prototype to the Alondra Park residents and they enthusiastically agreed this would be an excellent solution to keeping warm at night.
As a meaningful way of loving our local homeless people, I would like to provide a $100 sleeping bag/coat to whomever needs one. In order to accomplish this task, I need you! If you are feeling moved to partner with me, you can do so either monetarily (any donation amount is appreciated) or through your highly cherished prayers. All donations will go through our church, Community of Hope, and because we are a 501(c)3 all donations are tax deductible.
May God richly bless you for your generosity.
Although this area does have access to welfare relief from both government and charitable organizations, the majority of these people cherish their independent lifestyle, actually shying away from any institutional help due to fear of losing their individual freedom. As I continue to befriend this community of people, I have come to learn that their needs extend beyond the basics. Like anyone else they need and crave love, friendship and acceptance. Living outside of established lifestyle norms has put the homeless at odds with the rest of society and has nurtured their marginalization. Do we let these people just fend for themselves because they do not want the institutional answer? Do we just watch silently, ignoring the need, hoping the problem will just work itself out?
I believe I have been called to love these people without pretenses, without judgment, and without the need to try to fix them. Feeding them, listening to them, praying with them, and just spending time with them are a few ways that I have tried to build a loving relationship with them. I have come to learn that one of their primary comfort issues is staying warm at night, even during moderate weather. With this problem in mind, I have decided to partner with the Empowerment Plan, based in Detroit, Michigan (http://www.empowermentplan.org/about). Veronika Scott, the founder of the Empowerment Plan, has created a specially designed coat that transforms into a sleeping bag. Since 2012, her non-profit organization has hired over 45 previously homeless individuals to manufacture and distribute more than 25,000 coats worldwide. I showed a prototype to the Alondra Park residents and they enthusiastically agreed this would be an excellent solution to keeping warm at night.
As a meaningful way of loving our local homeless people, I would like to provide a $100 sleeping bag/coat to whomever needs one. In order to accomplish this task, I need you! If you are feeling moved to partner with me, you can do so either monetarily (any donation amount is appreciated) or through your highly cherished prayers. All donations will go through our church, Community of Hope, and because we are a 501(c)3 all donations are tax deductible.
May God richly bless you for your generosity.
Organizer
Steve Salinda
Organizer
Gardena, CA
