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Jesus in Disguise?

A CityHeart Moment . . . Jesus in disguise?

It was a sunny and cool summer morning when Dwayne arrived at CityHeart. He had arrived early before opening and waited patiently outside until we opened at 10:00am. He mentioned to another person arriving at the church that he was in need of food and was told that CityHeart could help him with an emergency sack lunch.

We welcomed him upon opening, offered coffee and he completed our intake form stating that he needed a bus ticket to see his mother before she dies. We thought he was going to ask for food, so it was a different request than what we had expected. His story was that his mom was dying in a hospital near Lansing, Michigan and he wants to be there.

Almost every request we have ever received for out of town transportation involves a death or dying family member. Most of the time these stories simply don’t hold up and we realize that some people just want to get some cash for other needs. But we enter into conversation and listen to the stories as we give people the benefit of the doubt. Dwayne says he has other family up north including a cousin that can pick him up in Detroit if he can get that far. He started out in Kentucky and got a ride with a truck driver as far as Dayton. He spent the previous night on the streets of Downtown.

We explained to Dwayne that our policy for emergency financial assistance is generally for local purposes. We encouraged him to use the phone to call his cousin to check-in and let him know that he was in Dayton, and to find out if the cousin could help purchase a ticket for him online. As I researched the ticket price and schedule to Detroit, Dwayne got emotional and handed me the phone. I informed him the online “special” was only $30, but the cousin would not get paid until the end of the week, and it was only Tuesday. The heart of CityHeart gave him the benefit of the doubt, we believed his story to be sincere. The decision was made to purchase the ticket since it was only $30.00, just over our normal pledge. Dwayne could be on an afternoon bus headed to Detroit. His cousin regularly makes a service run from Lansing for a 5:00pm delivery in Detroit and planned to pick him up at the station by 6:00pm.

What transpired should have been a simple transaction but turned into a mess beyond our control. First the online special of $30 came to $51.50 after adding fees. The most frustrating being the “gift ticket” fee of $18.00! This means that anyone who is willing to help another individual gets charged this additional fee because the purchaser and traveler are not the same person. (It seems that if you are trying to help someone else you might be offered a discount, not charged a fee! Why? It doesn’t make sense.) But our commitment was made, so we persevered to complete the purchase.

Then the online purchasing system froze up when attempting to enter the CityHeart debit card information. Finally, after speaking with a customer service representative to clear up the situation, the ticket for the afternoon bus was no longer available, it was sold out! This was a great disappointment to Dwayne because he was so intent on getting to Michigan as soon as possible. We needed to re-group and gave Dwayne a sack lunch that he could take out to the park at Riverscape. After he had lunch and a nap on the park bench, we explored his other options; an evening bus that arrived late in Detroit or a morning bus the next day. Dwayne discussed the choice with his cousin who could not wait all evening and urged Dwayne to stay in Dayton and take the morning bus, warning that no one should be on the streets of Detroit at night.

This time, we successfully purchased a ticket for the morning bus, made a call to the men’s Gateway shelter to arrange for overnight accommodation, gave Dwayne bus tokens to get to the shelter and to the bus station for the morning, and bid him farewell with prayers for his mom. This is why we are here and what we are all about! Was this Jesus in disguise?

“Truly I tell you, just as you did it for one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it for Me.” (Matthew 25:40, NRSV)

End note: Dwayne called back to CityHeart from Michigan two days later to say that he had a good visit at the hospital with his mom, and although she could not speak, she knew he was there. Dwayne expressed his gratitude for our generosity. We don’t generally hear back from folks such as Dwayne, and though it was not expected, this was a very nice gesture on his part and we were grateful to know that he made it safely and on time. . . Thanks be to God!

July 22, 2014

What is the Spirit saying to you?

A CityHeart Moment . . . What is the Spirit saying to you?

We recently celebrated the Day of Pentecost, the day that the church remembers the coming of the Holy Spirit. On that day, our Deacon-in-Training and CityHeart volunteer LindaMay, gave the sermon. She included a story of one of her experiences at CityHeart. She has agreed to share her story along with paraphrased portions of the sermon.

When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like a rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a Tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the spirit rest on each of them. (Acts 2:1-4)

Just as Jesus had promised, the Holy Spirit was about to come on the apostles in a dramatic way. The day on which this occurred was the Day of Pentecost . . . God sent His Spirit, to dwell in among us. Jesus told the disciples to wait in Jerusalem for the promise of the Father; the promise is the Holy Spirit. So much of this passage involves believers coming together in order to learn, to wait upon God, to pray in preparation to witness in Jesus name by the Spirit’s power . . . publicly and boldly in all that we do and say.

The Holy Spirit is the very presence of God within us, helping us live as God wants, and building Christ's church on earth. By faith, we can tap in to the Holy Spirit, to guide us every day. God gives us spiritual gifts so we can work together to serve him and each other. The spiritual gifts given to each person by the Holy Spirit are special abilities that are to be used to minister to the needs of the body of believers.

A couple of weeks ago, I was working at CityHeart when a young woman walked through our doors. As she entered, I got out of my seat to greet her. I said, “Can I help you?” She responded, “MMM MMM MMM” I asked her, “Would you like some coffee, or maybe some water?” She said, “mm mm mmm mmm mmm.” I said, “You must be Mary.” I was told there is a young woman, who does not talk, not that she couldn't, but she didn't want to. I took her over to the chairs where she could sit down and rest. I tried to carry on a conversation with her. All she said was, “mmmm mmmm mmm.” I went back to work, but the Spirit didn't allow me to rest within myself. I leaned over to see what Mary was doing, and our eyes met once again. I got up, went back out, and once again tried to carry on the conversation with Mary. As I looked into her eyes, I did not see Mary, I was looking at Jesus.

The Holy Spirit that lives within me began to help me understand the language she was speaking. Mary is homeless. She lives on the streets. Mary was dirty, her clothes were all muddy, and I believe she hadn’t had a bath in a long while. She took a pair of shoes out of the bag that she was clutching. And as she tried to put them on, I noticed they were too small for her. I said, “They are too small.” And she said, “mmmm mmmm mmmm.” She was determined to put the shoes on. So I helped her put on her shoes.

I believe that God is asking us here this morning, to step out of our comfort zone. Your gift may not be to help Mary with her shoes. We all have gifts to offer - we are called to help the unfortunate, those who are cast out, trodden down. Let us receive the fullness of what God has for Christ Church. We do a lot of work, and we help many people. God is asking us to stir up the gift that He has given us. What is the Spirit saying to you? Are we ready to receive what God has for us? God has sent the promise of his Holy Spirit that we read in the book of Joel, that spirit is here to help us do his work - to be his eyes, to be his feet, to be his hands.

What is the Spirit saying to you?

(I give thanks to God for LindaMay, for the witness she brings to us all through her story and especially for the gifts she exchanged with our friend Mary. And if you heard her preach the sermon, you would also have been gifted with her song. LindaMay is not hesitant to share her gifts. If you have gifts to bring, we can help you find ways in which to use them. Feel free to contact Kris Sexton at CityHeart: 223-2489 or [email protected])

Holding On to Hope in the Midst of Suffering

A CityHeart Moment . . . Holding on to Hope in the Midst of Suffering

“Suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope . . .” Romans 5:3-4

This scripture is from the lectionary readings for Sunday, March 23, and it was also used in the Forward Day By Day meditation from the same date. The story speaks of a woman who was experiencing difficult times. Her life was a mess and she had nothing to hope for. The author expressed that her own desire and best intention was to give the woman something to hope for, but realized that ultimately “hope comes from God, and hope, for each of us, is personal.”

We also hear many stories of personal suffering at CityHeart. The meditation reminded me of Kenyatta, a woman who came to CityHeart at a time when she was losing hope. She had recently lost her job and was struggling to meet expenses. She came to CityHeart asking for help to purchase cell phone minutes so she could make calls to check on job applications. She also wanted gas money for her car for possible upcoming job interviews.

Her requests unfortunately went beyond CityHeart policy; we do not give out cash to individuals and our emergency assistance for utilities is limited to gas, electric and water. Telephone service is not considered an emergency and transportation help is limited to public transportation. I explained that we budget monthly for transportation help in the form of bus tokens. Although she was disappointed, Kenyatta tried to understand as we discussed the reasons for our policies and the need to set limits in attempting to treat everyone fairly.

Kenyatta appreciated that we listened with empathy to her story, searching for other ways we might be able to help. This is what we do when we cannot meet the immediate need of a particular request as stated. The best practices and strategies we use have allowed CityHeart to expand our ministry and at the same time operate within our means.

Understanding her need to communicate with potential employers, we offered Kenyatta the use of our telephone to make her calls, and also talked with her about the more economical option of using public transportation. She made a few calls and then walked home to her downtown apartment. Kenyatta returned the next day, and then, filled with determination and hope, she continued coming back daily to use the phone. She endured the waiting and uncertainty with patience and was finally granted two job interviews at area retail stores. “Hope is the one thing that can pull us through difficult times,” as stated in the Forward meditation.

We gave Kenyatta bus tokens to get to both job interviews. Proving to be a woman of character, she was offered a position at each store, choosing what she believed would be the most stable position with the greatest potential for regular hours. At that point, having secured a new source of income, CityHeart assisted Kenyatta to purchase enough bus tokens for her first week on the new job. Encouraged by this, she said she would ride the bus until she could afford to maintain her car again.

Kenyatta was grateful and filled with hope for her future. She came to an understanding of what CityHeart could reasonably offer during her time of need. A cup of coffee? Always. Use of the telephone? Sure, anytime. Bus token for getting to her appointments? Yes, as needed. Encouragement for her mission? Yes, Absolutely. Hope? By the grace of God!

“. . . and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.” Romans 5:5

Kris Sexton

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A CityHeart Moment … January 14, 2014 “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35)

God Loves a Cheerful Giver

A CityHeart Moment . . . “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35)

Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus. Epiphany follows twelve days later commemorating this manifestation of God coming to us in human form. Christians have traditionally marked the occasion with the giving and receiving of gifts; I would like to reflect on this tradition and share a story of how sacrificial gifts to CityHeart were not only gratefully received, but also provided an opportunity for the recipients to become the givers.

Some people attribute the giving of gifts at Christmas to the legend of St. Nicholas, 4th century Bishop of Myra. He was a rich man who was supposedly known for his generosity to the poor, travelling the country giving gifts of money and other presents. His gifts were given late at night in secret, and he expected nothing in return. To honor his December death, the people at the time began giving each other gifts. (Legend has St. Nicholas evolving into Sinterklass and then Santa Claus.)

At Epiphany we have “wise men from the East,” presumably ancient Persia, who came bearing gifts for the newborn Christ child, an oriental custom to show honor and respect. Priceless gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh were brought on a long journey by these Magi from another culture and tradition, and then the story says they returned to their own land.

But what about those who believe they have nothing to give, spoken through the words of our Epiphany anthem:

What can I give him, poor as I am?

If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;

if I were a wise man, I would do my part;

yet what I can . . . I give him . . . give my heart.

Is it more blessed to give than receive? In exploring this scriptural reference, I was shocked to find that if you Google the term “giving and receiving of gifts” a plethora of internet sites and “hits” will pop up. There is great awareness and attention being given to this concept, which some call the Universal Law of Giving, you have to give before you can get. To summarize, it has everything to do with the attitude of the giver. The manner of giving is worth more than the gift. To quote another passage from the bible, “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:7)

Ricky, a CityHeart client that we have seen infrequently for years was one of many who received holiday gifts from CityHeart: personal toiletry bags, new hats, gloves, scarves, and coats. We had children’s books to distribute as part of our connection with the Montgomery County Read-On program, encouraging reading at home to help children do better in school. We also put out a basket of un-used Christmas cards with a sign that read “Take one to give one!” Some people went out and brought back their friends and neighbors to get a little gift too. This may be the only gift they received this year, the only new item they may have had in a while, and most wanted to share the hospitality and love.

Ricky was truly an inspiration, even in the midst of his own dire straits, his attitude is always positive. He smiles and says he will get through the tough times. Ricky was excited to see the book collection and asked if we would partner with him to provide books for children in one of the local subsidized housing complexes. Although he arrived at CityHeart needing our help, he quickly explained that he would be helping his church to provide a holiday party for the children. He called his pastor, and we made a plan to offer two books per child which they picked up later that week. We shared one hundred beautiful hardback books so these families will have books in the home to read. And then at the party, Ricky came upon a young man who needed a coat. He called our office and asked about the size of coats we had available, and returned a few days later accompanying the young man who walked out in a new, wool, navy pea coat.

God loves a cheerful giver, for it is in giving that we receive. Ricky was a cheerful giver who will be cheerfully blessed.

A CityHeart Moment . . . Who Will Speak for “The Least of These?”

November 2013

Do Justice, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly

The prophet Micah calls us to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God. The Rev. John Paddock quoted this scripture in a recent sermon and noted that in serving the common good, we do a pretty good job at loving mercy and walking humbly—but implied that we’re not as good at the justice part and encouraged us to do more. This gnawed away at me, as often these calls to action will, and I considered questions such as: What is The Church’s role? What is CityHeart’s role? What is my individual role as a person of faith?

CityHeart Outreach Ministry is in the “business” of offering hospitality, information, referral and emergency assistance to people on a daily basis. We don’t intentionally think of this ministry in terms of addressing issues of justice, yet daily we are in the presence of many of the most vulnerable populations; the sick, aged, tired and confused. When the injustices suffered by some of these clients cannot be ignored, we step up and speak out for them, as I did recently on behalf of our long-time friend.

“Carl” has for many years been tormented by issues related to his mental health. Last spring he got tangled up in a web of actions and consequences that resulted in a court ordered stay at a secured psychiatric facility, which at the time was the best possible outcome we could hope for. Since his release, it appears that Carl has been falling through the cracks of the mental health system and may be headed back to jail or institution. I initiated an inquiry with the Ombudsman’s office on how the situation might be addressed, and to whom would an advocate go for help. His 86 year old mother, also a friend of CityHeart, is frail herself, and having a difficult time keeping up with the complexity of the situation and restrictions imposed by HIPPA law. She loves him dearly, but is confused on what to do now and what might happen to him in the future when she is no longer around. We were able to learn of some options, but action will rely on his willingness and consent. His absence from our office now for almost two weeks begs even greater concern. When we get the chance, Who will speak for him?

Other folks like “Sam,” are alone with no one to help them. Sam shows up at CityHeart about once a year. He bounces back and forth between Dayton where he is mostly homeless, and Middletown where he sometimes stays with his on again/off again wife. Sam recently came to CityHeart on his 55th birthday, and it appeared that he had been celebrating for a few days! He pulled out his ID and announced that it was expiring. At second glance I informed him that it had actually expired on his birthday LAST year! Sam was surprised but said he couldn’t see it well and began to explain that this was a BIG problem for him, he literally can barely see anything at all. When he arrived for a scheduled eye surgery, the doctor refused treatment because he was not accompanied by anyone who could take him home. Sam’s wife is in jail. He has no family, no friend, no advocate. He jokingly asked, “Can I take you home with me?” We both laughed, but the reality of his situation is really not very funny at all. Sam is alone. He needs medical treatment. Who will care for him?

And then there is “Kevin,” whose plight is one characteristic of those who spend a lot of time on the streets. He has lost his wallet containing his birth certificate and Ohio state identification card. Hearing this causes me to heave a sigh of distress, this is a huge problem for ones who are easily confused, and I just want to hold his hand through the process of replacement. Confined to our office this is not possible, so I do my best to prepare a document outlining in detail the four steps he will need to take. The document addressed “To whom it may concern,” is both for his own purposes and for clarification to anyone else who is trying to help him. With a check from the CityHeart discretionary funds he heads out for Step #1, to obtain the birth certificate. Hopefully he can move through the process of getting his social security card and on to the bureau of motor vehicles. But unfortunately, as anticipated, Kevin returned the next day and reported he got the birth certificate but it had come up missing by the morning—distracted along he way, he never made it to Steps 2,3, or 4. A subsequent telephone conversation with his sister indicated she is reluctant to help any longer, she says he will just have to do it himself. This is a family that has simply reached its limit, we see it all the time.

Who will hold Kevin’s hand, who will walk with him through these steps, who will be his advocate?

Cast away by family, friends and society—these are some victims of injustice. With a childlike innocence, their earnest desire is to be loved and accepted. In contrast, they also have a strong need for independence as adults, but at some point must acknowledge their need for help. And when they are ready and willing, who will be there for them?

The worship booklet being used at Christ Church for our late Pentecost services, includes the following prayer of confession. It brings about an emotional response in me and thoughts of self evaluation. I wonder if you have felt it too?

Lord you have asked for our hands that you might use them for your purpose.

We gave them for a moment then withdrew for the work was hard.

You asked for our mouths to speak out against injustice.

We gave you a whisper that we may not be accused.

You asked for our eyes to see the pain of poverty.

We closed them for we did not want to see.

You have asked for our lives that you might work through us.

We gave a small part that we might not get too involved.

Lord, forgive our calculated efforts to serve you

Only when it is convenient for us to do so,

Only in those places where it is safe to do so,

And only with those who make it easy to do so.

God, forgive us, renew us.

Send us out as usable instruments

That we might take seriously the meaning of your cross. Amen.

(Prayer written by the Bishops of the Anglican Church of the Province of Central Africa, 2008.)

What a powerful message, one that reminds me it is my role, it is our role, it is the Church’s role to step up and speak up for the common good. The work is hard, but if not us then who will be Jesus to the least of these?

If you desire to do justice, love mercy or walk humbly, there is a place for you at CityHeart.

If you feel called to do something—we can use your hands, your mouths, your eyes, your lives.

You are a usable instrument, and I invite you to join us, CityHeart welcomes you!

Some of our volunteers provide simple hospitality to our guests, some do basic data entry, others are trained to provide one-on-one assistance to our clients with more extensive needs. We have people who offer skills for special projects, and those who work on grants and reports. One person knitted hats to keep our friends warm in winter. Some people offer a donation or regular pledge to support our ongoing work. As our common ministry expands and grows we welcome all who want to help. Please contact Kris Sexton if you feel called to serve as a volunteer or would like to learn more about CityHeart.

Phone: 223-CITY Email: [email protected] www.christepiscopal.com

CityHeart has set up a Giving Tree in the Christ Church Parish Hall to remember our neighbors in need at the holidays. We are accepting gifts of hats, gloves, mittens and scarfs, socks, and personal toiletries for men and women. Donations of coffee, filters and snack size candies help us to provide daily hospitality to our guests during the cold winter months. Monetary donations are also welcome, pay online at our website or by check to Christ Episcopal Church, CityHeart in memo. We thank you for your support!

A CityHeart Moment . . . September, 2012

“Let justice and fairness flow like a river that never runs dry.” Amos 5:24 (CEV)

Jennifer came in to our CityHeart office after talking to man out on the street, she was on her way to find the Legal Aid office. She was upset, confused and needed a listening ear. Describing herself as a full time student attending both WSU and Sinclair college, she is living only on a Social Security Disability income. Her 2 children currently live with grandma, while Jennifer tries to finish school. She has been living with her boyfriend at a rental on the east side.

Jen, as she referred to herself, was recently the victim of domestic violence, after which she brought charges against the boyfriend and got a protection order. This resulted in deportation proceedings being filed against him as an illegal US immigrant, an action which has caused anger amongst his friends and supporters.

Jen paid the current month rent while her boyfriend was in jail. Now she has a major problem with the landlord, a woman that rented to them as a friend and member of his minority community. The landlord recently had both water and gas service turned off at the rental house. There was no written lease, all rent was paid in cash, and the utilities were in the landlord name.

It seems as if this landlord uses utility shut-off as a shady tactic to remove potentially unwanted people from her property. Without any contract, this personal alternative to a proper legal eviction may indicate that she might have immigration issues herself and wants to keep everything out of the court system. Regardless of the reason, shutting off the utilities when the rent had been paid is unlawful. This unscrupulous action may also be a form of retribution for all the trouble Jen has caused her abuser.

Jen was concerned about possible eviction and becoming homeless. She is also in fear of staying in the house. She became very upset and told a story about her dog recently dying suddenly without any indication of illness or noticeable harm. Jen found this very disturbing and questionable, she believes someone may have intentionally caused the dog harm. Speculation for sure, but possible. Another tactic to scare her out of this community?

To avoid eviction, Jen is considering putting rent in escrow—a payment system set-up with the city when landlord and tenant controversies arise. I explained that legal action would be very difficult to initiate against her without a signed lease or paper trail. There is no record of an agreement to rent, no record of payments made, and most importantly no record of payments NOT paid. Therefore, I doubt there is any real fear of a legal eviction. But I do believe Jen may be in danger for causing such trouble within this tight circle of friends, and the landlord clearly wants her to move out.

What a heart-wrenching and scary story. Having many years experience as a landlord myself, I offered comfort and general counsel concerning landlord/tenant laws. I also recommended that she definitely proceed with Legal Aid to speak with someone who could give her professional advice.

We talked about other options she might consider. I suggested using available resources to move her personal belongings into storage for awhile. Could she ask to stay with her mom until finding a new place? Staying at the women’s shelter or domestic violence shelter would also be a safer alternative to living alone in fear. We gave Jen information and referral for these and other possible community resources. She was very grateful.

This was purely a “CityHeart Moment,” glimpses of peoples lives where we may never know the rest of the story. Scriptures reminds us, “do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers for we may be entertaining angels without knowing it.” When God brings an angel such as Jen through our doors, we are called to show hospitality and act with compassion in helping to bring about justice and peace for all. Lord, help us to see and serve the angels in our midst.

#domestic violence #eviction

A CityHeart Moment . . . August, 2013

A Simple Question: "Do You Help With Rent?"

A Difficult Answer: "Yes, well . . . sometimes, it really depends on the circumstances."

Requests for rental assistance are by far the most difficult area of financial request we receive. This question summons feelings of tension and uneasiness in CityHeart volunteers and staff because our own offers of help are in the range of $25 per person, and there are basically no resources or referrals for the toughest cases.

Last week our volunteer Nancy took a call from Jim, a young man living in the south suburbs who needs $1864.00 for June and July rents, he had lost his job with no prospects on the horizon. Two days later volunteer Pene speaks with another client Barb, who is two months behind on rent needing $1000.00. Both of these callers will have August rent due within the next 10 days, only multiplying the problem. In the worst of the economic downturn federal funds flooded into Montgomery County, funds to prevent homelessness that could actually tackle this kind of situation, but those funds quickly dried up and these requests are simply out of our league.

Is it just me, or weren’t we taught as young adults that housing costs should not exceed 30% of our income? That everyone should set aside 3—6 months (or more) of earnings in savings for a rainy day, in case of job loss or disruption of income stream? Excuse me, but it is POURING RAIN out here with no chance of letting up in the short term forecast, at least this is true for Jim and Barb and many others like them!

On a more positive note, I think, those who have less—simply need less. For example, we talked to Sherry in early July who would move into a subsidized unit downtown on July 19, her prorated rent for July plus the deposit would total $200. Her monthly income will be adequate for the future, but the deposit portion has caused the need for help. I offered a pledge of $25 when she gets the rest. Sherry came back and explained that she had been in the hospital and had tried her best but had fallen short of the total, she still needed $60. We could work with this, so I called Jason, our partner at First Baptist Church, and he agreed to split 30/30 with us. Problem solved for Sherry.

Rob also asked for help with July rent, explaining that he had to replace a catalytic converter on his car and did not have all the money. His monthly rent is $500 but he had already paid $350 and got another church to pay $100, so he was down to the last $50. His landlord was leaving town for vacation and wanted the balance before the end of day, but he only had $13.00. Could CityHeart help with the other $37.00? After verifying the story with the landlord, Rob rushed right down to pick up the check and deliver to the landlord. He was truly grateful and even made an offer to pay us back. Potential eviction averted for Rob.

In both cases we went just above that $25 pledge, but also in both cases the client had demonstrated perseverance and in each case our pledge and subsequent payment resolved the immediate situation.

The lessons of proportionate housing costs and saving for a rainy day probably never entered the reality of life for Sherry or even Rob. As for Jim and Barb, they may very well have been taught these middles class rules, but in an economy where the rents and basic cost of living expenses increase disproportionately to wages, either the rules don’t apply or no one can keep up with them! Although Jim and Barb may not have a financial safety net, odds are they have a safety network that will be found in the love of family and friends.

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35

#behind on the rent

A CityHeart Moment: “Hello, My Name Is . . . ”

May 2013

A few Sundays ago, The Rev. Bob Dwight preached a sermon titled, “Please, say my name.” He indicated that by calling a person by name, we recognize and acknowledge their “singularity, particularity, and peculiarity.” He told a story and referenced a song about a man in a nursing home whose simplest desire was to be called by name. He wanted to be recognized and known, called by name like the sheep of the fold who are known by the good shepherd.

I began to think of all the overlooked, ignored, and neglected individuals that come through our doors at CityHeart. Most of these visitors are no longer nameless characters, for we know them and call them by name. In fact, we may be the only place they are warmly welcomed and greeted individually—by name.

This brings to mind another song currently playing on K-Love, the contemporary Christian music station, “Hello My Name Is” by Matthew West. The song portrays the struggles and barriers faced by many - in how they see themselves and how they are perceived by others.

Hello, my name is Regret. I’m pretty sure we have met, Every single day of your life, I’m the whisper inside, That won’t let you forget . . .

“Regret” is our recent CityHeart client who says she has “timed out” of the women’s shelter. To time out is a consequence. It means that she has not complied with the rules, coming and going with such irregularity that the Homeful case managers simply cannot work with her long enough to stabilize her situation. We do our best to offer some help, finally completing paperwork we started in 2011 to obtain an out-of-state birth certificate that she will eventually need for permanent housing. A duplicate was purchased just in case she loses the original before that time, because holding on to such things is nearly impossible for her . . . Hello, my name is Regret.

Hello, my name is Defeat. I know you recognize me, Just when you think you can win, I’ll drag you right back down again, ’Til you’ve lost all belief . . .

Two clients last week named “Defeat,” were put out of special residential/recovery programs and back into homelessness. The younger man couldn’t understand his circumstance and kept repeating that he “hadn’t done anything wrong.” My guess is that he hadn’t done anything at all, and those things left undone resulted in his consequence. The older man, just three weeks shy of completing an eight-month program, clearly recognized that his actions and behavior dragged him right back down again. We listen, we pray, we try to give hope and do what we can . . . Hello, my name is Defeat.

These are the voices, these are the lies, and I have believed them for the very last time

Hello, my name is Child of the One True King. I’ve been saved, I’ve been changed, And I have been set free. Amazing Grace is the song I sing . . .

“Child of the One True King,” our CityHeart friend first simply called himself “The King,” visiting infrequently but certainly out and about around this area. Over the course of time, his visits to CityHeart increased and he mumbled that his name was - Martin? Mateo? Matin? Yes! Matin it was, a name of his own choosing, which means Strong, in Arabic. Matin is a man strong in his faith and determination to remain independent, even as he lives wholly on the street of downtown Dayton. As the sparrow, he does not worry about tomorrow, trusting his needs will be provided for. Here is a man, now clearly known and called by name here at CityHeart, appreciative of our greetings and responding in kind. We serve with hospitality and mercy. Amazing Grace is the song he sings. Hello, my name is Child of the One True King.

I am no longer defined, By all the wreckage behind, The one who makes all things new, Has proven it’s true, Just take a look at my life—What love the Father has lavished upon us, That we should be called His children

I am a child of the one true King.

By treating each other with dignity and respect, we can be mindful that all are children of the one true king. Amen.

#name #regret #defeat #child of the king

A CityHeart Moment . . . February, 2013

Honoring Our Past, Looking to Our Future: Reminded of Our Call to Serve

It was a sunny and rather pleasantly warm winter afternoon when our friend Trudy entered our building. This would not have been very unusual on any other day, but that day was a Saturday when CityHeart is closed. The main entrance to the church had been closed off for a few weeks due to the work of our Chapel deconstruction. But for that day the equipment and debris had been cleared to make way for the people gathered here at Christ Church to celebrate and remember the lives of The Rev. Canon Gordon Price and his wife Ruth.

We have known Trudy for about three years, she first came to us asking simply for prayers about her situation. She lived in a rough area of town, on a street known for its drug houses—getting by on a small but steady Social Security income. During that time Trudy was the victim of elder abuse by her drug-addicted daughter, who would use mom’s money to pay the rent, then kick her out of the house almost daily to party with friends. Trudy was unhappy, but with no where else to turn she remained in that setting for over a year, hoping that her daughter’s habits could change. Then one day, Trudy returned to tell us that she had taken the initiative to leave and was staying in the shelter. She battles with mental illness but has been placed into permanent housing here in the downtown. Trudy is our neighbor and we continue to offer hospitality and help her with small needs on occasion.

So I was happy to speak with Trudy when an usher called her to my attention at the memorial service. She was not bothering anyone and had been kindly offered refreshments by our fellowship hosts at the reception. As Trudy enjoyed the cookies and coffee we chatted a bit. She wandered over to the Parlor where a pictorial video of the Price family was running. She asked a few questions and I was pleased to share with her that Gordon and Ruth had faithfully served this congregation for many years, being especially mindful of hospitality to our neighbors.

Trudy went on her way then, but the moment was so poignant that it stayed with me. I was so struck by how fitting it was that a passerby on this Saturday in February would find her welcome here in “The Great Lady” on this occasion.

The vision for this ministry began in 1959 when flight to the suburbs had begun, and Gordon was interviewed by a local newspaper just months after coming to Dayton. I used the following quote in the very first CityHeart article written for the Broadcast and wish to repeat it here. Gordon spoke of the need for remaining a downtown church, “What we need is a new imaginative ministry. The old way would not touch the man on the street yet the suburbs would die if the heart of the city didn’t beat. Our parish must be not only for members of the congregation but for the person who passes by. The church must adapt to the downtown area by feeling responsible to the people downtown no matter to what church they belong, if any. We must be a church to those who have church homes and to those who don’t. Our doors are always open. Our ministry is always outreach. Our parish must epitomize the truth of the fact that the church is also in the world for those who do not belong to it. Otherwise, it may become a comfortable club for like-minded people.”

Christ Church has remained true to that vision. We continue our ministry of presence in the downtown by responding daily to our neighbors in need. As a parish we have intentionally chosen to remain downtown as we seek and serve Christ in all persons. We lovingly repair and maintain this this beloved building our church home, as our center for worship and outreach in the heart of the city of Dayton.

Christ Church has fondly been referred to as “The Great Lady of First Street” and our first history book spanning 150 years bears this name. We have a rich history in Dayton that has contributed to who we are as a parish and continues to point us to pathways for the future. For those who have not been here long, I invite you to learn more about our history by checking out a copy of The Great Lady from John Paddock or calling the church office for more information. Also be on the lookout for a new history book, “One Body, Many Members: An Historical Record of Christ Episcopal Church from 1981-2006,” soon to be published.

Let us be mindful that the past molds our future, and remember our call to serve by keeping our doors open and our focus on outreach!

#elder abuse #hospitality #Great lady of First Street

A CityHeart Moment . . . Forward in the New Year—Day by Day

January, 2013

“Happy are those that consider the poor and needy.” Psalm 41

It is a New Year, a new month, a new week, and a new day for CityHeart. Consider this an invitation to share one recent day in the life of our parish outreach ministry to the poor and needy. It went like this.

Teresa called for a Benefit Bank tax appointment, always our first client of the year. She was slightly disappointed that there is a delay in the IRS preparation for electronic filing, but is content to wait. Promised to call her back soon.

Ron, one of our regulars, was observed walking around with no shoes about an hour before CityHeart was open. By 10:00am he had been given a pair of rubber boots by a nearby church, and arrived at CityHeart for a cup of hot coffee. It was a frigid day and we were pleased to see he had something on his feet. We would later learn the odd circumstance of why he was without his shoes, but also the good news that he had stayed with family through the holidays and will soon have permanent housing. Praise God he will not spend another winter on the streets.

A number of other morning regulars come to say hello, have a cup of coffee and wish us a Happy New Year.

Donna called and is at risk of having her electric shut-off. She has a portion of the money and her sister will lend her $50. We offered a $25 pledge and gave referral to another assisting agency. She will work on getting the balance.

Rhonda walked in, glad to out of the cold, looking for help with transportation. She looks familiar but is not in our database. Rhonda explains she comes sometimes for the AA meeting at noon. As she leaves with two bus tokens for her appointment, we offer a warm hat, scarf and gloves from our holiday donations.

Mike comes next asking for help with his subsidized rent of $50. We have not helped him for over a year. He normally gets odd jobs but work was slow in December. We offer our pledge of $25 and he asks if we can put that in writing. With our letter in hand, he was able to get another church to match our pledge. January rent was paid.

Taking a break for lunch, we spoke of how brisk it was that morning, both literally and figuratively. An office volunteer muses, “you will always have the poor with you,” and we know how true it is.

To start the afternoon, Darnell comes in from the men’s homeless shelter. He needs ID to sign the lease on his new apartment and arrange for utilities. We help get his supporting documents in order and purchase a new Ohio ID card for him that day. A new beginning for Darnell.

Bonita comes in also needing an ID, but after checking our records we find that we purchased an ID for her once in the past year already. (What happened to that one?) We explain our policy that we can’t purchase another ID, but give her information for two other resources where she should be able to get assistance with identification needs.

Nikki came in mostly to warm up, we have not seen her for awhile. She reports that she is staying with her mom right now. We are well aware that her mental illness causes Nikki to be forever moving from place to place. She has coffee, snacks and takes some personal toiletries we have to offer. She gladly accepts a bus token to get home.

James called saying he got the balance needed for his gas heat bill—we had been working for days to keep him off disconnection list. We phone our pledge, then prepare a letter and check to mail to the utility company on his behalf.

Linda, social worker for a local health care organization called to say she had a very timid client in need of public benefits. We made a referral to one of our Benefit Bank counselors who will hopefully get him some help.

Last call of the day, Sherry was looking for a site where her small group can prepare and serve Sunday lunch to the homeless. She explained they used to be at the library park, then served for many years at another location. I told her how our church serves twice monthly at Gateway and explained that the homeless shelters are now open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They welcome new groups to come there and serve, might that be a possibility? I hope so.

We begin this new year mindful of the need for our presence in the community. It was a good day at CityHeart—we are happy to be able to have met many needs. Your support keeps us open and accessible day by day, thank you!!

#benefit bank #shoeless #aa #state id #mental illness #serving hungry

A CityHeart Moment . . . Simple Gifts

November 2012

Henry was here over the course of 3 days this fall. On his first visit he presented himself as homeless, saying he was dropped in downtown Dayton by someone from a church in Springfield. They thought he would be better served in a bigger city with more services. Henry has no family in this area, his only family is in upstate New York and he is from Pennsylvania.

Henry says he was a victim of payee abuse in Scranton, Pennsylvania. On our intake form he stated the reason for his visit, "Homeless, had to move out of state to get a better life." Henry says that his payee had placed him in a residential setting with mostly senior citizens, but he is only about 40 years old and he didn't like living there. Henry is now what we consider an "adult runaway." He is a well-intended person with a mental health disability who has become unhappy with the status of his current situation and has simply walked away from his life. Henry is high-functioning, quiet and kind, but a very needy individual.

At CityHeart we often encounter people who are unhappy with the services of their “payee”. A payee is a person who handles the financial affairs of another adult who cannot manage their own money. The payee may be employed by a family member or many times they are appointed by mental health service providers. They are very often seen by the client as the bad guy who “won’t give me my money,” or “won’t get me what I want.” Almost always the relationships are adversarial. Very sad for folks who just want to live what they would consider a simple life.

Henry most recently stayed at the YMCA in Harrisburg, PA for 3 months. He has come now to Dayton where thinks he would like to stay. Because he is under payee services, the Social Security administration will not send his monthly disability check here to Dayton, so he has no money. The only form of ID he has with him are photocopies of a Pennsylvania ID and Social Security Card. CityHeart is keenly aware that photocopies are not acceptable to conduct any business, anywhere. Henry speaks of wanting to get an Ohio ID, but he does not have proper documents, nor do we believe it’s in his best interest to do so. He is already hitting barriers and will most likely be short term here in Dayton.

Henry was not yet ready to move on, so arrangements were made at the Gateway shelter for a few nights. We gave him sack lunches, bus tokens and information for hot meal sites in the vicinity. We spent a lot of time those first two days patiently listening to his story and trying to give him optimistic advice. We asked about his family, but it seemed there wouldn’t be much help from them. We talked to him about the possibility of going back to Pennsylvania. We acknowledged that he has a right to be part of the decision making in his life. We encouraged Henry to be honest with his payee about his reasons for not wanting to live in the senior apartment community and suggested they talk about an alternative living environment.

On day three, Henry agreed to allow me to call his payee organization in Pennsylvania. I talked to Shelia, his assigned payee, who was very glad to know where he was and that he was safe. I filled her in on the situation in Dayton. Together we convinced Henry that he would be better off returning to Pennsylvania. Sheila took care of purchasing a Greyhound ticket online for Henry using his own funds. She faxed me the information and I made arrangements with the Dayton Greyhound station to expect Henry for travel. Interstate travel normally requires the ticketholder to present a valid photo ID, but I explained the situation so they will waive that requirement. We prepared a letter for him to carry with his Greyhound Confirmation number and Password for ticket pick-up. We sent Henry on his way to the station with a bus token, water bottle, sack lunch and prayers for a safe journey.

It did not take dollars to meet Henry’s needs. It was a matter of simple gifts for a simple man. You never know who God will place in your path or for what purpose. Henry, like many others before him, came along this path to CityHeart needing simple gifts; listening ears, willing hearts and caring presence that is ours to offer through the grace of God. Our gift of time is not something easily come by, most places and most people would never take the time we took to help Henry. This is one of the things that makes CityHeart unique and we are appreciative of the resources that enable us to provide this level of service. Our thanks to all who help to keep our doors open daily!

#mental disability #gateway shelter #simple gifts

A CityHeart Moment . . . Sharing the Good News That We Have Heard

October, 2012

“Be joyful in the Lord, all you lands; serve the Lord with gladness.” Psalm 100

Ministry amongst the poor and outcasts of society is hard work. Day in and day out listening to all the cares of the world and bearing these burdens can be difficult for CityHeart volunteers and staff. I recently told my sixteen year old daughter, who sometimes bears the brunt of my stress, that I often return home drained of all my energy with nothing left to give. Sometimes, serving with gladness is a challenge!

The author of Forward Day by Day who wrote the Aug. 14 meditation on this Psalm 100, implies that if our prayers consist only of requests with no thanksgiving, the mood becomes heavy and burdened. Although intercessory prayer helps me to share and therefore release some of the cares and concerns of others, I agree with the writer’s assessment that “as soon as one situation is resolved, another is guaranteed to emerge in this broken world.” So what are we to do?

The author states, “We need to encourage one another with stories of God’s presence. We need to share the good news that we have heard.” Yes! We do hear these stories at CityHeart and would like to share this good news with you!

Earlier this year, David struggled with chemical dependency and homelessness. With help from CityHeart he has regained permanent housing, is in recovery, and has found a church home in north Dayton. He returned recently to update us on his situation. Smiling sheepishly from ear to ear, he joyfully shared that he has learned the meaning of the phrase, “it is more blessed to give than to receive.” He has had the opportunity to give back for the good of others less fortunate than himself. He has found his way on a new path. David serves the Lord with gladness.

Bruce, whom we have known for many years, has been in and out of various treatment programs, struggling with physical, mental and emotional health. He recently reported his return to the Catholic Church and volunteer service. He spoke of being trained to serve the Eucharist to local nursing home residents, in disbelief that this is possible for a sinner like himself. Bruce admitted that he was unsure of his purpose in life, but after talking for awhile, we affirmed that God does have a purpose for him, and he has found it! This humble servant now has the confidence to serve the Eucharist, even to an ill and retired priest! Bruce serves the Lord with gladness.

Richard is a downtown Dayton ambassador. He literally works the streets as an employee of the Downtown Dayton Partnership Ambassador Program. These clean-cut, uniformed, and easily identifiable workers are out there every day amongst the city workers, city dwellers, and city street people. The ambassadors are clearly aware that many people in Dayton are in great need. Richard came to the CityHeart office, said he heard that we helped people, and proceeded to give us a $20 cash donation on the spot. He just wanted to pass on his good fortune. What a blessing! Richard serves the Lord with gladness.

And last, but certainly not least, is Arlee – our neighbor and friend of CityHeart. Always smiling and happy, a man about town, everybody knows him, and he is everyone’s friend! ALL he is and all he does is to the glory of God. We help him from time to time, mostly minor things, but he is so grateful. I recently told someone that he would do anything for me, and I know in my heart this is true. He does odd jobs for us and has gained our trust. He desires to be useful and has on more than one occasion willingly offered to do some pretty dirty jobs, such as picking up cigarette butts and cleaning up urine in the stairwell. In our most gracious attempts to thank him he simply states, “there are NO dirty jobs, it’s all for God.” His reward will be in heaven and he is assured of this by his faith. Arlee serves the Lord with gladness.

“It is only gratitude that enables us to serve the Lord with gladness. Giving thanks reflects the light of Christ in the world.”

The stories shared by these friends of CityHeart have encouraged me; hopefully they will encourage you as well.

Send us out into the world in peace to love and serve the Lord, with gladness and singleness of heart.

#good news #housing #recovery #church #purpose #ambassador

CityHeart Outreach Ministry Mid-Year Update

August, 2012

Throughout the year we are required to provide various reports to our grantors. Our statistics for the first six months of 2012 are complete, and so in lieu of a CityHeart story, I would like to share these updates with the parish as well . . .

CityHeart is pleased to offer a welcoming environment in the heart of Dayton as the area continues to experience a slow economic recovery. We are currently open to the public four hours each day, Monday-Friday, with an additional 12-14 hours each week for administrative staff time. We help people on a daily basis who are dealing with circumstantial needs and those who struggle in a constant state of poverty. Our reputation as a place of hospitality and emergency assistance has grown each year with the steady increase in awareness of our program, mostly through word-of-mouth referrals.

Our mid-year data represents a 71% increase in requests for assistance and a 21% increase in discretionary funds distribution over 2011 mid-year statistics. We attribute the large increase in number of requests to two factors; more direct referrals, and better record keeping of requests from frequent visitors to CityHeart. The resulting increase in discretionary spending correlates to the greater number of people receiving financial help.

One of the benefits of relocating and restructuring our CityHeart office in 2011 has been the opportunity for wider involvement from the parish and outside community. Just as word-of-mouth is our greatest source of new clients, it has also proven to be a wonderful method of spreading the word about our ministry. Through the sharing of stories, in personal conversations and written communications, people associated with CityHeart have sparked an interest for new volunteers and donors.

We have added three new members to our volunteer staff in 2012, two of these from outside the Christ Church community. Individual donations designated to the program are up 25%. Many of these are one-time gifts that have come as a personal response to a greater awareness of the needs. Other people are making unsolicited pledges for the ongoing support of CityHeart. We are encouraged by these recent developments as our ministry grows and expands.

CityHeart Outreach Ministry sincerely appreciates the generous funding support we receive from renewable sources of grant income such as the JDS Fishing Foundation and Episcopal Community Services Foundation, in addition to the ongoing operating support we receive from Christ Episcopal Church. Although we lost some grant income from non-renewable sources, we continue to seek new grant opportunities. One example is a new grant awarded to CityHeart for 2012 from the Antioch University Midwest student philanthropy initiative, Pay It Forward.

We have recently been in conversations with both Antioch and Benefit Bank as a potential site for providing student service learning opportunities which many colleges and universities now require. Students will learn to be mindful of the needs of the community and the role philanthropy plays in contributing to the overall health of the communities in which they live.

CityHeart continues to be an Ohio Benefit Bank site and a partner of The United Way, HelpLink Case Consultation Program. We also continue to work with East End Community Services and other local churches to assist mutual clients. As we look to the future, CityHeart seeks to further engage additional partners and work towards establishing additional collaborative ministries.

(CityHeart has our own discretionary fund for the purpose of helping those in need. If you wish to donate, make check payable to Christ Episcopal Church, with CityHeart in the memo field. If you have any questions, please feel free to stop in to the office, call 223-CITY, or speak with me at church. Kris Sexton)

#grants #partnerships #volunteers

A CityHeart Moment . . . Second Chances

May 31, 2012

Jerry came to the CityHeart office today needing help with transportation for work.

We first met Jerry when he came in to the CityHeart office last October. He was staying at the men’s Gateway homeless shelter. He came for assistance to get an Ohio State ID so that he could participate in a work program through Labor Ready, one of the Dayton area resources for day labor. We also gave him a few bus tokens at the time to get back and forth from the shelter. We explained that CityHeart helps primarily with immediate and emergency needs. We could not continue to assist him daily with tokens because transportation is considered an ongoing need. (Many of the shelter residents come to us for bus tokens and this becomes a real issue if we hand out tokens without any accountability from the recipient.)

In this case, we purchased the ID for Jerry. Yet we were aware that Jerry would receive compensation from Labor Ready at the end of each day, and so we made it clear that he would need to make ongoing transportation his priority. Rationale—you need the ID, to get the work, to make the money, to buy the bus tokens—so we had given him a start, and a chance to proceed on his own.

Jerry has not been back to CityHeart for any other help since October. We have seen him coming and going on many occasions from the noon 12-step meetings. I recognized him today, but did not remember his name and Jerry reminded me that we had previously helped him. He is still living at the shelter, but things are looking up. Jerry indicated he has been in a rehab program and staying clean of drugs and alcohol.

Jerry now has a job at a local construction company. He will be paid at the end of the week but needs some help until then. Apparently Jerry used to work for the same company before divorce, drugs and homelessness took their toll and he lost the job. They hired Jerry back again in mid-April. Surely this company is taking a chance by giving Jerry a second chance. But Jerry showed me a document from his employer stating that he is currently employed, that they value his work and described him as an asset to the company. He works for part-time hourly wages in the office and also works on blueprints for contract jobs. If his company gets the potential contract, then Jerry gets paid in commissions. These variables make his pay very sporadic. Jerry thinks he will get about $500.00 this week and he is very grateful for the second chance.

We talked briefly about setting priorities. He is still living at the homeless shelter but hopes that he can get permanent housing soon. Jerry says he will purchase a monthly bus pass to assure he can get to work until the next payday comes. Jerry also indicated that he has made some amends with family. He says he is going to have his mom hold some of his paycheck so he won't spend it all too quickly. Jerry is well aware of the risk he may still be to his own best interest. But his family sees his efforts and are giving him a second chance.

Jesus was all about second chances. Through cleansing and healing, preaching and teaching, forgiveness, mercy and grace. Jesus himself was God’s gift of a second chance for his people. Shouldn’t we all give the gift of a second chance as well?

CityHeart gave Jerry a second chance. We are encouraged to know that Jerry has been working so hard to turn his life around. We assume this has not been easy for him. So today we purchased Jerry a weekly bus pass as a way of acknowledging his perseverance and our hopefulness for his future.

#second chances #12 step program

A CityHeart Moment . . . Paying It Forward

April 26, 2012

CityHeart has many grateful friends who have received care and compassion here in their time of need. We respond to those needs with the love that we receive by grace through faith, never expecting anything in return. So it is always heartwarming when folks return to bring an offering. Tonya, who had lived downtown in a tent all last summer, came by last week bearing flowers for our office. With her usual grin from ear to ear she said she was doing very good now, but in the next moment tells us she has breast cancer and will have surgery soon. She called back a few days later to report surgery went well, just wanted to let us know . . . Next comes Darren, who was a frequent visitor to CityHeart in February and March while struggling with a recent eviction and substance abuse issues.

Darren stayed at the Gateway Shelter for men, most of our help for him was given through our time and attention. His basic needs were met with coffee, bus tokens, use of telephone and restroom. He occasionally attended our noon AA meeting. Darren returned in April to report that he was doing much better. He had been placed into temporary housing through his case manager who is working with a payee to secure permanent housing. Darren was neat and clean, dressed sharply, and smiled proudly when he stated that he was now regular in attendance at another 12-step meeting. He expressed appreciation for all that we had done for him and insisted we take a small cash donation for CityHeart to “help the next guy like me.” What a way to pay it forward, a concept developed in the movie by the same name, in which a person who has been helped, reaches out to help others in the future. Not a re-payment, but a forward movement . . . an expression of kindness and generosity.

Most of you have heard the news that CityHeart was awarded a grant from Antioch University Midwest, through their Student Philanthropy Project called “Pay It Forward”. We expected to receive $1000.00 and the grant awarded was for $1750.00! The 3-year project was funded through the Corporation for National and Community Service (Learn and Serve America Higher Education) and the Ohio Campus Compact. Students enrolled in the course “Human Services Systems” not only designed the process for proposals, they also administer and disseminate the grants as a way of learning about the needs of the community and how philanthropy plays a role in meeting those needs. The $750.00 “bonus” added to the standard grant was the result of a memorial gift to the university from the family of a past student who died suddenly in 2010 after being part of the first “Pay It Forward” class. Grants awarded for 2012 should have been the last of the project started in 2010. By “paying it forward” this family generously left a legacy for their daughter who worked so hard to make the project a success. Grant recipients for 2012 were pleased to accept the additional grant from seed monies that will continue to grow the student philanthropy program at Antioch University Midwest under the new name, Seeds of Change.

Much recent activity has caused me to reflect on this theme of paying it forward. I am excited to announce we have two new volunteers joining us in the CityHeart office. Anne heard about us through her friend Nancy, a Christ Church parishioner and CityHeart volunteer. Anne came to observe twice in March and has committed to being here two half days a month. Sandy comes to us from the above mentioned program at Antioch. She was a student in the Human Services Systems course that awarded the 2012 Pay It Forward grant. Sandy spent a morning at CityHeart on a site visit doing research for the grant process. She expressed interest in volunteering and has come to observe in April. One more recent donor and potential volunteer learned about CityHeart through courses taught by John Paddock and Larry Welborn and will come to observe with us soon. People who have received much really do feel compelled to give much. Let’s pray that the forward movement continues!

#pay it forward #grant #giving back

A CityHeart Moment . . . What Would You Do for $25?

March 28, 2012

Most of us don’t think twice about spending $25.00. We go through our daily lives and naturally spend this amount without much thought. How do you spend $25.00? A few specialty coffees. One meal in a nice restaurant, lunch for 2 at a cafe, a fast food drive-thru dinner for 3 (or maybe 4?) if eating off the value menu. One night of babysitting. Movie tickets for 2, not including popcorn. Purchasing a pair of slacks or nice blouse in the department stores is unlikely for $25.00, and we won’t even talk about the specialty stores. And at almost $4 a gallon, $25.00 barely moves the needle of the gas tank for many vehicles, and yet you have the means to fill it up. So, what would you DO if you needed $25.00?

Imagine for a moment that $25.00 could pay your entire monthly rent or your utility bill. Now imagine that you regularly find yourself unable to make that payment!! Why, you say? Because your income is ZERO, that’s right, you have no recordable source of income, although you may receive some form of public benefits. You probably qualify for the lowest amount of subsidized rent which is $25.00. The lowest utility rate assessed on PIPP (Percentage of Income Payment Plan) is $15.00 each, for DP&L and Vectren. So WHAT would you do for $25.00? Get a job you say? That is easier said than done for those I would classify as un-employable due to age, physical health, mental health, educational level, or circumstance—they end up being the poorest of the poor. Many desire work but can’t get hired.

We have many friends coming to CityHeart that fall in this lowest level of poverty. The CityHeart volunteers and I learned through our training in the “Bridges Out of Poverty” program, that these folks operate in a constant mode of survival. They can be very creative and resourceful individuals when it comes to survival. Here is what THEY must do for $25.00.

The lucky ones have family or friends willing to pay $25.00, until they have money problems of their own. Karen sells her plasma twice a month, unless she is sick then she comes to us for help. Dora gets a grant to go to Sinclair College, she uses her book money to pay the rent, then hopes to share books with a classmate. She needs our help during winter and summer school breaks. Johnny is required to do 30 hours work each week for his food stamp allotment, he gets a $48.00 check mailed to him for transportation, but uses it to pay his rent and utilities. Johnny then comes to us for help with bus tokens for transportation to his work assignment. Some people simply barter their food stamp funds for cash, at whatever the bargain rate may be, to come up with $25.00. Others who are chronically impaired from injury, sell their prescription drugs to friends or acquaintances, and live with the resulting pain. In fact, people will sell or barter anything of value. Those who can work do odd jobs or walk to Labor Ready on Salem Ave. each morning at 6:00am, hoping to be chosen for day labor, although most times the stronger and younger are chosen. And so goes the means of survival.

For those of you who read these CityHeart articles and are familiar with our program, you know that we offer financial help in the range of $25.00 per person. What I bet you didn’t realize, was how critical this level of assistance might be to the livelihood of those we help. You have heard me mention many times that we especially help people who live in extreme poverty, literally “the poorest of the poor.” We have been talking about Jesus’ relationship with these folks in our Sunday morning Lenten study—they are the poor, the sick, the lame—the sinners, the impure, the outcasts of society. And these are the ones Jesus came to serve, the ones He says we are called to serve. If you feel called to serve them, your presence is always welcome at CityHeart. If you wish to donate funds to assist, CityHeart has our own discretionary fund for the purpose of helping those in need. If you have any questions, please come in to the office, call 223-CITY, or speak with me at church.

#extreme poverty #rent #utilities #bussfare

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