Street Blog

Kindness and compassion are at the center of everything we do for the homeless.
Local Missions do not feed Women! So Street Angels show up to feed them! When they stand in line to get a meal we ask them to come to the front of the line. Even the men support the women cutting in line and being served first.
I look into their eyes and I see the face of humanity, children of God, people who are just like the rest of us.  
They want is what we all want, kindness and the warmth and safety of a home. Living on the streets makes them vulnerable to being harmed, hunger, hypothermia, and judgment that keeps people from helping...the list is unbearable.
Don’t let the dirty clothes and defeated body language stop you from helping. Every act of kindness matters and touches Souls -yours and theirs.
All donations help the homeless. www.angelresourceconnection.org
#livinglove #godhelpus #domoregood #bekind #helpthehomeless #purpose
#EllenDeGeneresshow #angelresourceconnection...

Dawn is homeless and pregnant. She told me how difficult it has been to try to put her life back together.
A lot of people are one or two paychecks away from being homeless. After Dawn and her boyfriend lost their jobs around the same time, this is exactly what happened to them.
Tears where in her eyes when she told me how much getting a tent and sleeping bag meant to her.
I promised her with God’s help I’d look for housing for them. Then we prayed.
Several other souls nearby received sleeping bags and tents tonight just in time as temperatures are dropping below freezing in a couple of days.

Thanks to all of you who are selecting tent and sleeping bag tax-deductible donations on our nonprofit website.

I witnessed a mini street-miracle!
I watched two homeless people be offered a home moments after praying together!
This is what happened...
As I was leaving the library yesterday I noticed two people who were pitching a tent near a building. I drove up and offered warm clothes, which they immediately accepted. We talked about how important it was to stay focused on getting housing before winter. Kristy and Jim said they could only afford to pay $300 a month for a room in a house, or a trailer on someone’s property. I suggested they put up a flyer in a couple of places In town and to tell every one of their intention to find a home.
Then I said, “let’s pray about it.” As we held hands in a circle and asked God that they be safe and warm in a home before winter a guy on a bike peddled up next to us when we said Amen. His name is Sam, but calls himself Cowboy and even had a hat and spurs on. Cowboy Sam recognized Jim from high school. We all talked about what we...

Stories from the library today...

Street-angels didn't need to go far today to hand out winter coats. When I looked around, there were people who were using the library as a sanctuary of sorts to protect them from their real life. We tailgated with them and handed out winter coats.
A family of women who are living in a camper and trailer desperately needed blankets and coats to stay warm.
A pregnant woman and her husband are couch surfing as he is looking for work.
A woman was crying on a bench outside the library because she just became homeless...I tried to comfort her with prayer and wrote a mini call to action for the community to come to her aid.
Everyone took what they needed to stay warm and were so grateful to handpick from a new batch of donated items.

A big thank you to the street-angels who came out today!
Also, thank you to everyone supporting our launch and donating to our nonprofit!
All funds go directly to helping the homeless. You can donate from our secure website or...

I did a pop-up winter clothes giveaway for the homeless today. People were happy to get the hand-made crocheted mats!!
Then a very interesting thing happened…I was spontaneously interviewed by the Associated Press!
I walked past about 50 people and right up to four people sitting on the ground, which happened to be the Associated Press and a photographer doing interviews with the homeless. That's when they did an interview with me and took a photo.
The reporter asked me, "What do you think about the sign behind us saying, not to give to the homeless -give to an agency?
I answered, "The 50 coats that I just handed out will keep these people warm tonight - that sign will not keep them warm. I am here ready to help fill a need, by showing up on the streets where the homeless are - to help them survive another cold night. The needs of the homeless are not being met with overburdened agencies, they simply don't have the supplies needed. To make my point...I just donated clothes to...

I'm noticing a pattern when I help a homeless person get into a home – the Meltdown!

A panic sets in...they fear their new home might not last and they'll lose everything again. They feel overwhelmed with all the steps it takes to get back on track. These fears speak volumes as to how much homelessness is a shock to the system, always being afraid for your life, constantly worrying where your next meal is going to come from and if all of your things will be stolen while you sleep.
It's as if they come up for air and can breath for the first time in a very long time. The fog begins to clear once they have the safety of a locked door, a kitchen with food and they're finally getting a safe night's sleep, yet it still does not feel real.
I pray and given them resources to help with the next steps. I even do breathing meditations with them to help them understand that it takes time to settle in. So much understanding is needed.

Becky became homeless due to a fire. I met her on the streets during winter and gave her a sleeping bag. After months of searching, we found an apartment she can afford, but she had nothing to fill it.
After posting on social media asking for household items, Beck was given a small kitchen table and chairs, dresser, coffee table, pillow-top for a full-size bed, tv/DVR, iron, coffee pot, food, bath items, cleaning supplies, broom, dustpan, vacuum cleaner, mop, and towels.
Food and cleaning supplies. The community outpouring was tremendous. 

I got a call from a mental health professional saying that one of the people that I helped on the street was at a local hospital for observation.
A passerby driving on the freeway saw her standing on the overpass and thought she was going to jump and called it in.
The woman told them that I was her Street Minister, so after a long discussion they said she could be release to me.
When I saw her sitting on the hospital bed...she burst into tears. I held her for a long time telling her it was going to be OK. She told me she wanted to jump. She said she feels disconnected and desperate. She had been in a home, but feels very displaced there, plus she lost her phone and has no way to contact anyone. She talk about all her problems. I prayed for guidance and to stay centered, so I could be in the eye of the storm with her.
I took her to a clinic for a follow up appontment with a Dr and paid for her inhaler and meds.
I decided to spend the next couple of days with her. We went to a couple...

How does a homeless person start over when they have been homeless for years? Kathy recently got into an apartment but is struggling to cope with being alone and fear she might lose it all again. I spent most the day with Kathy. She told a journalist how it's been challenging living in an apartment and away from the homeless people who were the companions she cared for and misses very much. Many even referred to her as a mom.
So we thought it was a good idea get to know the people and resources closer to her home. Within an hour she signed up at a local food bank and received three bags of food, then we stopped at a soup kitchen, and she shared a meal and connected with people at the table.
She has been asking for a therapy dog to have as a companion, so we visited an animal shelter and spent time with two adorable small dogs. The dogs brightened her day and gave her hope that soon she might just get the right doggie to give all her love.
I've started a nonprofit that is 501c3...