- J
- F
- P
We had a dream!
For a number of years, our church had provided support for those in our suburbanm affluent county who were homeless or disadvantaged by the economy, addiction, tough luck and the bad things which happen to many in life.
It's awful easy for those with a job and a warm bed to sleep in and plenty of food in the cupboards to turn a blind eye to those who do not have the resources or those who are addicted or mentally ill. We decided that if we are going to live out what we claimed as Christians, we had better put some action where out profession was and actually make a difference in people's lives.
On average, we provide food, clothing and shelter materials for 700 people or families a month. In addition, about 10 years ago, we purchased a shower trailer and installed it so that those without a place to get clean could get a chance to clean up. It's awfully hard to apply for a job when you haven't bathed for a week or two.
About 6 years ago we put in a garden so that we could provide fresh vegetables to those we were helping, and the last several years we have reaped over 25,000 lbs. a year which we have shared with those in need and with the Salvation Army and other helping groups in the community. Two years we planted an orchard for the same purpose.
Until we began this work, we did not realize how many needs there are all around us. Homelessness is becoming a desperate problem in America. At least 40% of the homeless suffer from one type or another of mental illness - much more than half of that number from PTSD from military service or from abuse of one type or another that they never asked for - the numbers vary but from 25% to 50% of women have been raped or molested by the time they are 18 years old. The numbers are approaching that for men. Because of government cutbacks in mental health funds, most are only able to access professional care every 6 to 8 weeks - if they are able to get care at all. Every day that goes by, at least 25 veterans commit suicide in America suffering from depression or addiction directly traceable to their military service.
Even with ObamaCare, many people cannot afford healthcare or have to wait for over 6 weeks for an appointment - even when their needs are great.
We began to pray about it and were impressed that we could do something about the needs. So, we began to look for some kind of facility where we could open a free medical clinic. A local church heard about our dream and told us they would donate two large portable classrooms which they had been unable to site for 8 years on their property because it would disturb an ecological niche for a rare moth. All we had to do was pay to have them moved and placed on our property.
We have approximately 250 active members in our congregation so it was a large chunk to bite off, but we chose to go forward.
Even though they were structurally sound, the buildings were in terrible shape - so badly damaged that after they were moved to our church property we had to completely gut them - even to some of the outside studs.
Then the miracles began.
People in our community began to hear about what was happening and to volunteer their support - to the tune of over $350,000 in cash and in-kind donations. All of our equipment is what you would find in any medical facility. Our three dental operatories feature digital Xrays. A local optometrist along with his suppliers installed an up-to-date optical facility. Today, we have the privilege of operating a full service free medical clinic offering medical, dental, optical, psychiatric/counseling and chiropractic care - all provided by qualified professionals who donate their time along with a number of other volunteers. This isn't a project staffed just by people from our church and denomination either. We are proud of the fact that over 50% of our volunteers, including most of our medical staff, are from other churches in the area as well as those with no religious affiliation but who believe in helping others.
But, there is more that we would like to do. We would like to get the laser equipment to remove prison tattoos - we have a qualified volunteer when we get the equipment. We would like to be open more often than what we are currently able to do.
Up until this point, this has been a 100% volunteer effort. But we are realizing that we need to hire certain basic staff. Our greatest needs now are to be able to hire a clinic manager as well as someone to coordinate volunteers in the clinic and the other services we offer. In addition, there are other medical and caring services we would like to be able to offer if we had the resources to do so.
We've reached a tipping point where we have to either go forward or scale back - something we are loathe to do. The needs are too great! The people we see too grateful. So, we are trying to see where God leads us next.
That's where you come in.
We commit to use whatever funds you donate wisely. We commit to file regular reports so that you can see where your money goes and what it is used for. We are already audited yearly and will continue to be - and will make those audits available to the public upon request.
For a number of years, our church had provided support for those in our suburbanm affluent county who were homeless or disadvantaged by the economy, addiction, tough luck and the bad things which happen to many in life.
It's awful easy for those with a job and a warm bed to sleep in and plenty of food in the cupboards to turn a blind eye to those who do not have the resources or those who are addicted or mentally ill. We decided that if we are going to live out what we claimed as Christians, we had better put some action where out profession was and actually make a difference in people's lives.
On average, we provide food, clothing and shelter materials for 700 people or families a month. In addition, about 10 years ago, we purchased a shower trailer and installed it so that those without a place to get clean could get a chance to clean up. It's awfully hard to apply for a job when you haven't bathed for a week or two.
About 6 years ago we put in a garden so that we could provide fresh vegetables to those we were helping, and the last several years we have reaped over 25,000 lbs. a year which we have shared with those in need and with the Salvation Army and other helping groups in the community. Two years we planted an orchard for the same purpose.
Until we began this work, we did not realize how many needs there are all around us. Homelessness is becoming a desperate problem in America. At least 40% of the homeless suffer from one type or another of mental illness - much more than half of that number from PTSD from military service or from abuse of one type or another that they never asked for - the numbers vary but from 25% to 50% of women have been raped or molested by the time they are 18 years old. The numbers are approaching that for men. Because of government cutbacks in mental health funds, most are only able to access professional care every 6 to 8 weeks - if they are able to get care at all. Every day that goes by, at least 25 veterans commit suicide in America suffering from depression or addiction directly traceable to their military service.
Even with ObamaCare, many people cannot afford healthcare or have to wait for over 6 weeks for an appointment - even when their needs are great.
We began to pray about it and were impressed that we could do something about the needs. So, we began to look for some kind of facility where we could open a free medical clinic. A local church heard about our dream and told us they would donate two large portable classrooms which they had been unable to site for 8 years on their property because it would disturb an ecological niche for a rare moth. All we had to do was pay to have them moved and placed on our property.
We have approximately 250 active members in our congregation so it was a large chunk to bite off, but we chose to go forward.
Even though they were structurally sound, the buildings were in terrible shape - so badly damaged that after they were moved to our church property we had to completely gut them - even to some of the outside studs.
Then the miracles began.
People in our community began to hear about what was happening and to volunteer their support - to the tune of over $350,000 in cash and in-kind donations. All of our equipment is what you would find in any medical facility. Our three dental operatories feature digital Xrays. A local optometrist along with his suppliers installed an up-to-date optical facility. Today, we have the privilege of operating a full service free medical clinic offering medical, dental, optical, psychiatric/counseling and chiropractic care - all provided by qualified professionals who donate their time along with a number of other volunteers. This isn't a project staffed just by people from our church and denomination either. We are proud of the fact that over 50% of our volunteers, including most of our medical staff, are from other churches in the area as well as those with no religious affiliation but who believe in helping others.
But, there is more that we would like to do. We would like to get the laser equipment to remove prison tattoos - we have a qualified volunteer when we get the equipment. We would like to be open more often than what we are currently able to do.
Up until this point, this has been a 100% volunteer effort. But we are realizing that we need to hire certain basic staff. Our greatest needs now are to be able to hire a clinic manager as well as someone to coordinate volunteers in the clinic and the other services we offer. In addition, there are other medical and caring services we would like to be able to offer if we had the resources to do so.
We've reached a tipping point where we have to either go forward or scale back - something we are loathe to do. The needs are too great! The people we see too grateful. So, we are trying to see where God leads us next.
That's where you come in.
We commit to use whatever funds you donate wisely. We commit to file regular reports so that you can see where your money goes and what it is used for. We are already audited yearly and will continue to be - and will make those audits available to the public upon request.