His Eye is on the Sparrow

Sept. 30th

I read a news article today that said 13,000 children in the

Los Angeles Unified School District are classified as homeless.  

13,000.

Last fall I attended a conference that included guest speaker Matthew Barnett, from The Dream Center L.A. I can't tell you exactly what he said, but I can tell you it dramatically changed me. I remember crying as he told stories of transformation. The work of the Dream Center L.A. is to impact, improve and influence the community by working with the homeless, the abandoned, the abused, and the down-and-outers. I've reasoned since then that a "passionate seed" must have been planted in my heart that day, and my path has led me to working with Long Beach-based Kingdom Causes as a Homeless Taskforce Leader.

The Homeless Surveyed

In 2009 the chronic homeless of the downtown Long Beach area were identified and surveyed. From this survey information, a list was compiled of those that were most at-risk living on the streets. Through some small grants and very big hearts, a coalition was formed of agencies, case workers and volunteers whose purpose was to find housing for these folks. Apartments were rented,utilities turned on, and refrigerators delivered - but that's as far as the agencies' grant dollars could go.

Kingdom Causes, a faith-based organization, has since joined the team to provide the missing piece: the furniture and household goods needed to set up housekeeping. Beds, sofas, sheets and pillows, dishes, microwaves and TV sets, have all been collected, loaded up and joyfully delivered by churches, small groups, and caring individuals who have been touched by this project. These homeless, who are homeless no more, have been surprised, grateful, and in most cases, overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and concern. To date, 85 individuals have been placed in their own apartment, but many more remain on the list.

Meeting the Need

Although the list of at-risk homeless may seem endless in itself, there are also those leaving transitional housing and shelters, foster teens aging out of the system (one was recently driven to skid row and dumped off by the foster parents when their funding ended), and the working poor. They also could use help with basic needs.

I know from personal experience that most of us have "stuff" to get rid of; Grandma's dining room table, extra furniture, china, linens, and housewares. I've been led to part with my "stuff" and either donate it, or sell it and donate the money.  In the article about the LAUSD children, a bank branch collected backpacks and school supplies for the homeless kids to help keep them in school.  Homelessness may not be the cause you're drawn to, but we can all do something to help change someone's future.

It starts in your heart.

Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it's in your power to help them.  Proverbs 3:27

This post has been edited for republication at Spiritual Sundays