Together: WE can move one more person from the street to permanent housing

Many of you know how important Micah is to me. In 2007, I wandered into a spaghetti dinner at one of the founding Micah churches. As I heard the stories and learned the names of the many people there, I began to believe that I could have an impact on their lives. A short time later, I quit my job at the local newspaper and teamed up with a movement of downtown churches who believed their combined efforts could transform the community. A decade later, I can still say it has been a privilege to lead these churches in cultivating community and caring for neighbors through Micah.

I have learned so much from the friends I have met on the street over the years, but the most important lesson is that it really takes ALL of us. Take, for example, one of the first people Micah moved into housing. Like many of our friends, she was on the street due to a lifetime of trauma and breakdowns in relationships. By the time I met her, she hobbled around with a crutch and was missing half a head of hair. At one point in her homelessness, she had hopped a ride with a fella who tried to take advantage of her. When she tried to escape his advances, her coat got caught in the door and the truck drug her about a half a mile before realizing she was there. The plate they put in her head may have replaced her broken skull but her appearance and mind was never the same again. On the street she was incredibly vulnerable. She got stuck in places and often relied on the street community to get her out of various predicaments, make it to the meals or catch the bus to the cold weather shelter. If the community had not helped us house her all those years ago, I know she would have died on the street. The real lesson, however, would come some months later. Housing would bring two sisters back into my friend's life. She would reconnect with an 18-year old son who she had not seen since they were my own children's age. And before her eventual death countless volunteers, community partners and churches would touch her life with rides, companionship and essential needs. My friend's led a tragic life, but I very much believe her last years with us were packed with love because of what the churches were able to do for her through Micah.

This is just one of many reasons I hope you will consider taking the Love Your Neighbor Challenge with me between now and December 31. The Love Your Neighbor challenge is Micah's annual effort to gather resources for cultivating community and caring for neighbors. To take the challenge, all you have to do is commit $2 a day for as many days as you can and start giving. You can give weekly ($14), monthly ($60), quarterly ($180), every six months ($360) or even make a one time gift of $730.

Micah is looking for 2019 Love Your Neighbor commitments in the year 2019. I'm looking to cover 1,825 days, or a total just 5 year-long commitments of $2 a day. That's enough to help one more person move from the street to permanent housing! How many days can you give?

I HOPE YOU WILL CONSIDER TAKING THE LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR CHALLENGE WITH ME AND START YOUR OWN FUNDRAISER FOR THE CAUSE!

Just a small donation will go a long way to helping me meet my goal for Micah Ecumenical Ministries Inc