A Hand Up’s Mission

My wife and I have known Melanie ever since we moved to North Carolina 10 years ago. Melanie helped Deb get her first job here. That’s the kind of person she is—always helping others! So when Melanie told us she felt she was being nudged to start a formal platform to reach out to the un-housed and impoverished around us, I was “all in.” We already had “A Hand Up”, a 501c3 that had been formed for a similar mission that could be used to receive tax free donations and support. We had a pathway into this community, as for years Melanie had personally initiated relationships among the homeless population that struggles for survival along the New Bern corridor at the Raleigh/Knightdale line.

One of her long time and chronically homeless friends introduced her to his friend, BC. I write of BC as he personifies many of the realities and hopes of this God directed ministry. BC immediately joined us every Saturday morning at our Bojangles gathering where we have a brief Bible study relevant to our mission and then disperse to circulate in the community. In a few weeks, Melanie was able to procure a housing arrangement for BC that took this 60+ year old with health issues off the street. BC felt that as a committed Christian, he had a responsibility to share the redemptive news of Jesus and tell how Jesus had changed his own life to any that would listen.

Understand that is not an easy task for BC. He has lung damage from chemical exposure in an industrial accident years ago along with many other physical challenges. His knees are messed up from a fall off a roof. He also has a speech impediment from these physical issues that makes communication difficult. As we walked about the community each Saturday we came to find out a lot about BC. Most of the homeless, the store and restaurant employees all knew him and would warmly greet him. An incident with one person reflects the power of BC’s ministry. A gentleman recognized BC during our Bible study time and made his way to him in a display of gratefulness and respect. He proudly announced to us that he was now a successful Realtor and business owner who had met BC some 20 years ago when he too lived on the streets. He stated sincerely that we were in the presence of a powerful godly man.

BC used to have him come to the storage facility that he ran his landscaping business from which also provided BC shelter off the street. They would study the Bible, pray, and worship together. He claimed BC’s encouragement and mentorship were key in his recovery from his bad choices and habits. This represents just one of the many testimonies we have received regarding BC

Melanie’s objective was to create what theologians label a “ministry of presence” whereby relationships that build trust are established through non-judgmental visits. If done in humility people come to understand we care enough to offer them a hand up. Melanie had worked with others to build a data base of resources but had not been in a position to fine tune the delivery of the information to those that need it. As a perusal of this web site shows, that challenge is being overcome so that our friends can access this service information from their phones that almost all of them carry as a lifeline.

That is where we issue our call to action. We are trusting to find the support and personnel that will increase our presence and activities in the community who are willing and have the time to engage in conversation with these individuals that results in the opportunity to assist in identifying and then obtaining the resources they need to get back on their feet.

Creating lasting change in lives takes time and involves community. We will not be an organization that throws money into food and housing, then puts a check mark by a name and then abandons that individual. Instead, we surround the individual with vetted resources, we go with them to gather information and advocate for them—not just to show support but to listen and gather information to assist them in making their long term decisions.

We have given rides to church and bought lunch afterwards as we know that surrounding them with a community of others who will love on them with the love of Jesus can make a big difference in their lives!

The first question most folks on the street ask when they meet us for the first time goes: “Do you have money for my motel room tonight?” Variations involve bus money, car repairs or food. We don’t give out money just because someone asks. Instead, we invite them to Bojangles for a meal so we can sit down with them and get to know them. “What is your name? Where are you staying? What are your pressing needs?” As they share, we gather information about their past and present and where they would like to be in the near and distant future. We don’t look for right or wrong answers, but we listen without judgment. When appropriate we share our own journey when it relates to theirs. If they are willing, we take the journey with them to check out resources and brainstorm with them of steps that would move them forward. As they take a step, we take a step. We intend to walk with them as their journey moves on. We are building community, surrounding individuals with challenged paths and hardships in the love of Christ. Those we encounter do not need to profess Christianity to receive our attention. We have, and will, work with people expressing many faith systems. We believe that when we surround people with the love of Christ that has changed our lives that God will also touch their lives in some redemptive and restorative way,

Numerous statistics that are easily accessed through Google tells us that as a country we are making poor economic choices in keeping our homeless on the street and that pairing people with the services they need to get them off the street represents solid economic action. A publication of the U.S Interagency Council on Homelessness in 2017 writes that the taxpayer cost for each homeless person ranges between $30-50,000 per year while it costs the typical homeless person $40,000 to be on the street. Said differently, our economy wastes $75,000 per year to immerse our unsheltered in a life of despair and depravity that leads to all kinds of physical and mental conditions that result in a high cost for society. These realities point to why safe, affordable, and sustainable housing communities need be a core component in any effective “big picture” approach to the homeless challenge. However, housing alone does not create a cure. Services that address physical and mental needs must complete the package. That is why we are also involved in building small footprint housing (see “The Tiny Home Project on our Home page).

Although we aim to practice and advocate economic stewardship, money does not represent our driving force. We hear God’s call to us as committed Christians to be active in the arenas of human suffering. We know that doing good does not in and of itself earn us a passage to heaven, but we also realize that if we have that personal relationship with Jesus that brings salvation it will prompt us to do the things God and Jesus smile on. This verse records Jesus speaking God’s sentiments:

Matthew 25:34-36
Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’

Like BC, I see it as my responsibility to be an ambassador for Jesus because Jesus has made such a huge difference in my life.. The purpose of a Hand Up is to serve as Jesus called us to serve. We try to do that in the ways described on this web site. If you share our sentiments and convictions, please know we would love to have your assistance in your choice of financial support or being with us on Saturdays. God Bless!

. . until next time,

Gene Call