B.C.Homeless

Well, we're back, after a couple of eventful weeks here at the Coalition and the Reconciler. We've been striving to keep our heads amidst the hubbub and distractions of everyday life in the Homeless and low - income community. We're still pursuing our plans on offering referrals and information on dental, optical, legal, and serious drug treatment (methadone) programs. Late in October we plan to hold a Workshop on Mental Illness, which everyone is invited to attend. We hope to make a big difference in our local community by showing them how we can make a difference by taking control of our situation and not letting the "big-boys" put us into little boxes that they control. We must all work together for each person's worth. Don't forget, no matter who you are, no matter what you might have done in the past, the Lord will welcome you with open arms, and take care of you. So don't forget - God Loves You! Jim T.

Well, we had our weekly meeting yesterday, and we got some really good ideas from some of the attendees. We are going to proceed with our plans to do workshops on vital issues, the first of which will be Mental Health. Victor is working on getting the speakers lined up, and it will be held sometime in October, we hope.
We also had some great suggestions on trying to get some periodic clinics to come in to offer services such as Dentistry, Optometry, Law Advice, and a few other areas which we will be checking into. If we can help our Homeless Community by bringing these services within people's reach, we will be glad to do so.

Well, I guess that's all for now. I Hope everyone will tell their friends to like us, and I'll be posting more regularly now that the Summit is passed and we're in planning for other projects. Please tell all your friends about us (do I sound like I'm begging pitifully enough,haha) God Bless Everyone, Jim T.

Well, we made it through the Summit. Admittedly, attendance was not what we had hoped for, and some of our session moderators didn't show up, but we heard after the event that those who did attend appreciated the breakout sessions that they attended and were interested in learning more about the topics discussed. That makes the event a success in my book. We reached some of our homeless community with information they can use, so I am glad that we all put in the work to make it happen. Our co-coordinators, Victor Beard and Jim Trumpower would like to express our thanks and appreciation for all those who helped with the Summit, especially those who were our featured speakers and panelists. We would like to thank Rev. Shannon Webster from the First Presbyterian Church for his fantastic keynote speech on Changing Perceptions; Att. David Gespass for leading the sessions on Knowing Your Rights; Tara Landers and Wesley for leading the sessions on Housing; and Jennifer from Pathways and Leon from the Firehouse for teaming up to lead an impromptu session on services available/shelters when the scheduled presenters didn't show. You all have our heartfelt thanks and appreciation. We also would like to thank Pastor Matt, Pastor Adam, Al, Miss Bertha, Miss Kay, Joe, Dancer, Tari W., Mary J., and all the others who helped us! There are so many of you that it would take a whole page to list all of your names, and I'd still probably miss some. Most of these wonderful folks can be found in and around the Church of the Reconciler on any given day, doing their best to make the world a better place. And of course we need to acknowledge the Chourch of the Reconciler itself for giving us both a location for our annual Summit, and a home for our Coalition. Once again, thank you all!