On most Tuesday and Friday nights we can be found from about 5 pm to 7 pm in the parking lot opposite Sojourner House on Barstow Street as part of our ministry with people who are living on the streets. We offer them warm clothing, gloves, hats, blankets, water, food, hygiene kits, and whatever else we might have. If they need something that we don‘t have, we will try to get it! And beyond meeting the physical needs of people, we are also there to offer prayer, a commpassionate ear, a human touch, and our friendship. We will help anyone who comes to us, but our main goal is providing assistance to those unable to find shelter for the night. The homeless shelters we have are not enough to provide everyone with a bed, so every night many are turned away and forced to sleep outside. Our street ministers have also helped in finding furniture, dishes, linens, and other needs for new apartments. We can provide transportation for people who need to make appointments with social workers or other agencies, or medical care. We also check out the caves, under bridges, and other areas where the homeless congregate and offer warm clothing, water, candy, blankets, sleeping bags, etc. Many of the people on the street have jobs and are struggling to find a place they can afford, or are saving up so that they can afford to the security deposit and first month's rent on a new place. Some are homeless because medical bills have bankrupted them, they have lost their jobs, or they simply cannot survive on the minimum wage job they are working, or can't afford to own a car that can get them to work in a timely and regular fashion. Some have addictions or are rebuilding their lives after an addiction has left them homeless. Some young people are homeless because their families rejected them for being gay. Andlike every other city in the United States that has a homeless population, many of our homeless are children who live with their parents or parent in their car. Homelessness is a real issue in Eau Claire and in the Chippewa Valley. Most of it is hidden, so it is quite easy to miss just how much there is in this city. If you would like to support this ministry, we are always looking for donations of SCRUPULOUSLY CLEAN, UNRIPPED, NEW OR ONLY GENTLY USED and in DECENT shape clothing for adults (hats, coats, sweaters, sweatshirts, mittens, gloves, scarves), blankets, sleeping bags, boots, shoes, and socks, as well as individually wrapped candy and cases of bottled water. For the colder weather, donations of hot coffee or soup with cups or bowls will also be appreciated. We are sorry, but any clothing that is not absolutely clean and in good shape will be refused. Simply ask yourself if you would wear it to church, a concert, a PTA meeting, or other public event. If not, then please don’t expect our friends to do so. We also accept donations of money and gas cards. We are also always looking for people to help out in this ministry. If you have a heart to talk to people and listen to their stories, and to hand out items, please contact Mike, the head of our Street Ministry, through the church office. The training only takes a couple of minutes. Or if you are a lawyer, social worker, familiar with governmental programs, or can help us in any other way, please also let us know. We need people on the streets, but also need the help of experts who can work behind the scenes to help individuals navigate the process for government help, getting disability, finding housing, medicare or medicaid or Badger Care, dealing with bankruptcy, financial management, and so on. If you have a skill, it can be put to use!
