Seattle's 10 year plan to end homelessness... (This Saturday To the Streets Distribution)

Perhaps you've already heard of the 10 year plan that the city has implemented in their strategy to end homelessness. It is our city's intent to create more housing and services for the lowest of income people in Seattle and to particularly target those that fall in the chronically homeless category through a program called Housing First. We are already two years into the plan and in 2007 our city allocated $41 million towards the efforts of ending homelessness. It is an ambitious goal and over 30 organizations, churches and advocates endorse the plan to make this plan a reality.

We should all be in support of a plan like this-- one which strives to bring change among our system and to irradicate the marginalization of thousands of people every year. However, I think that we'll always have the problem of homelessness in our city. Perhaps that's a sceptical viewpoint to such a positive approach. I'll admit i'm a bit skeptical but even in my skepticism I want to join in supporting and working towards the irradication of homelessness in our city and beyond and in the meantime finding ways to serve within the reality of homelessness.

Quest does have a small part to play in providing compassionate care for the homeless. Our role has been lived out in the platform and ministry of To the Streets. At first glance it doesn't seem like much. We simply hand out a few resources here and there. There is nothing glamorous or exciting about the work. We're not corralling people into vans to take them to new homes or placing people in jobs that will give them a sustainable means to live in the city. We want to move towards these needs and find ways to bring resources to those needs but for now we're just learning what it means to be present.

We are learning how to be compassionate advocates in each homeless man and woman's life by listening. We are providing a consistent presence to minister to the struggles and trials that each homeless person faces while they live on the streets. As much as there is a need for clean, dry clothes and hygeine products there is an appreciation that Quest is consistently present each month-- rain, snow or shine.

That effort is not possible without the support of you behind us. So I ask you to consider sacrificing a few hours in your Saturday to meet with men, women and chlldren. Think about what it would mean for you to commit 3-6 months our of your year to consistently be a part of the work of To the Streets. What resources, time and talent do you have to give to such a needed ministry in our neighborhood?

We meet this Saturday, April 19th at noon at the Q Cafe.  We'll be at the corner of 15th and Market from 1 to 2:30 pm.