2. BRIEF Background on Hope Ministries
• Established in 1954
• 6 – 24 month residential program for:
• 18 families
• 16 single women
• 35 single men
• Services to non-residents
• Community Kitchen
• Weather Amnesty
• Help With Love
3. Why are people homeless?
addiction
unemployment
lack of affordable housing
mental health issues
domestic violence
criminal history
anger
lack of education
broken families
lack of transportation
physical health issues
unhealthy relationships
lack of support systems
poor choices
4. Why are people homeless?
addiction
unemployment
lack of affordable housing
mental health issues
domestic violence
criminal history
anger
lack of education
broken families
lack of transportation
physical health issues
unhealthy relationships
lack of support systems
poor choices
10. Summary
“Because ACEs have a powerful impact on many health and
social problems, the ACE researchers concluded that ACEs are
the leading cause of health and social problems in our nation.”
11. Some “Guiding Beliefs”
Homelessness is (almost always) rooted in the pain and
brokenness people carry from trauma in their past.
The solution is 1) eternal life and 2) internal healing – both of
which only happen through a relationship with Jesus Christ.
God (almost always) heals people through people.
Relationships with brothers and sisters in Christ are essential.
The Church is the primary source of these relationships.
12. Some Numbers for St. Joseph County
Sheltered homeless: ~450
Chronically homeless: ~120
“Hidden” homeless: thousands
13. Recent Events
Encampment under Main Street bridge – Fall 2016, Summer 2017
City provided funds to assist with Weather Amnesty Services
Ongoing discussions among businesses, nonprofits and
community leaders
Mayor forms “Working Group on Chronic Homelessness”
City budgets $1.6 million in infrastructure funds to address
chronic homelessness
14. “Housing First”
people living on the street cannot be expected to overcome
their problems while they are living on the street
the primary problems are addiction and mental health
Housing First is:
affordable (30% of income)
permanent (as long as needed)
low-demand (does not require sobriety or program participation)
20. A Few Thoughts on Relationships
“We are not the healers, we are not the reconcilers, we are not
the givers of life. We are sinful, broken, vulnerable people who
need as much care as anyone we care for. The mystery of
ministry is that we have been chosen to make our own limited
and very conditional love the gateway for the unlimited and
unconditional love of God.”
- Henri Nouwen, In the Name of Jesus
21. A Few Thoughts on Relationships
“People don’t become homeless when they run out of money, at
least not right away. They become homeless when they run out
of relationships.”
- Statement from the New City Initiative
22. A Few Thoughts on Relationships
“The opposite of addiction is not sobriety, it is human
connection.”
- Johann Hari, Chasing the Scream
23. A Few Thoughts on Relationships
“Love your neighbor.”
- Jesus Christ
26. For people who have achieved basic personal stability, but not
economic stability
Medium to long term
“Community Based” means that a sponsoring church provides
BOTH housing and relationships
“Affordable Housing” generally means 30% of income
Community Based
Affordable Housing
27. A Question
How can you and St. Peter Lutheran Church provide or
participate in providing relationships and/or affordable
housing to people coming out of homelessness?
And, what support do you need in order to do so?
We have been talking about the effects of toxic stress on individuals. Now, we’re going to switch gears and talk about the effects of toxic stress on the population as a whole. The field of epidemiology is where we’ll turn.
Epidemiologists are scientists who study the origins of disease, disability, productivity and health in a population. They help us to focus our efforts on issues and processes that will make the most difference for the well-being of everyone.
We’re going to talk about a large epidemiological study about the enduring effects of Adverse Childhood Experience. Dr. Rob Anda and Dr. Vincent Felitti are the co-principal investigators of the study, which they call “The ACE Study”.
This data is based simply on a point in time survey – we picked a day and tried to get surveys completed by as many of our residents as possible. There was nothing special or unusual about that day or that group of residents. We had 52 people complete a survey.
This data is based simply on a point in time survey – we picked a day and tried to get surveys completed by as many of our residents as possible. There was nothing special or unusual about that day or that group of residents. We had 52 people complete a survey.
FOR NEXT SLIDE:
You might be wondering how this all works. How exactly does childhood experience affect what happens in adulthood?
This pyramid shows that link.
So that’s the big picture at the national level.
It certainly suggests that issues like homelessness, poverty, addiction and mental illness are rooted in childhood trauma.
And it certainly suggests that if we are going to help people with these issues, we are going to have to think about… (the first three levels of the pyramid)
But before we talk about how we address those things, let’s see how we fared.
After:
so the question is, how do we ensure that all of our homeless neighbors are in long-term relationships that will help them heal?
AFTER:
Through all of these discussions and our own visioning, we have developed a “system of care”.
I want to paint a picture of what is needed to effectively love and care for the homeless in our community.
First, need to cover one key concept:
According to a 2010 report from the Association of Religious Data Archives, 66% of people in St. Joseph County Identify with a Christian Church. Population 270,000.
After: we should be able to do this
After: but that is not always going to work, at least not right away…
There are reasons why not all people coming out of homelessness will join a church right away:
Mental health issues, fear of community, been hurt by church in past, not believers
So what do we do for them?