Every day I get an accounting of the men and women who are in our facilities. Today we have 90 men – 35 are at the Mission for short-term emergency shelter and 55 are members of the long-term (6 month) program. In Laura’s Home, the facility for women and children, we have 105 –  52 are long-term clients and 53 in short-term emergency shelter. All together there are 195 men, women and children staying at the Mission.

The age spread of our adult clients is sobering, the youngest is 18 and the oldest is 71.  Both ends of the spectrum disturb me. It deeply troubles me that someone as young as 18, barely out of High School, or as old as 70 would be in a Rescue Mission. How did things break down so completely that there is no one and nowhere to go in such a vulnerable stage of life? Just thinking about it makes me feel sad. I keep seeing my own child, so alienated from the family that they have nowhere to turn and nowhere to go.

I sat with a mom and dad today whose son is in the long-term program. I could see the fear and pain in both their faces. I attempted to comfort them with the promise that restoration and life transformation is available and possible in Christ. I saw a glimmer of hope spark in their eyes as we talked. As they left, the mom shared with me that for most of his life her son had fallen through the cracks. She was worried that it would happen again.

I wonder if that isn’t a good description for every man, woman and child in our facilities – they have fallen through the cracks, the cracks of society. Only for most of them, no one is worried and no one is watching. They just keep falling.

If you’re interested in making a difference, contact The City Mission  at http://www.thecitymission.org/.

Wednesday is Veterans Day – a day set aside to honor the men and women who fought for our freedom. Many communities will host ceremonies and most ceremonies will involve flags and parades. I recently read an article by Paul Davis (“Veterans have earned better care than this”, Valley Voices – Fresnobee.com) and he reviewed the ideals represented behind each fold of the flag in the flag folding ceremony. I must confess, I didn’t know the significance and I was sobered when I read them:

The first fold stands for Liberty

The second fold stands for Unity

The third fold stands for Justice

The fourth fold stands for Perseverance

The fifth fold stands for Hardiness

The sixth for Valor

The seventh for Purity

The eight for Innocence

The ninth for Sacrifice

The tenth for Honor

The eleventh for Independence

The twelfth stands for Truth

It’s hard for me to reconcile that so many men and women who were willing to give their lives for these noble ideals are now homeless and struggling for survival on the streets of our cities. The National Alliance to End Homelessness estimates that between 23 and 40 percent of all homeless adults are veterans. What may be surprising is that most homeless veterans are not homeless because of factors related to their military experience. They struggle with the same issues most homeless victims succumb to – poverty, lack of support systems, personal characteristics, and mental illness. And like all those struggling with homelessness, our veterans need a strong, compassionate, and responsible support system. It’s past time for the Christian army to rally around our fallen heroes and lift them back up. What better time to start then Veterans Day!

For information on how to volunteer and serve homeless veterans, contact The City Mission at http://www.thecitymission.org/.

I’ve been sitting in one of the counseling rooms located in the lobby of Laura’s Home for the last hour and just taking in the sights. I watched as approximately 100 women and their children came down from their rooms and made their way into the dining room for dinner. I heard some staff person call out “we have plenty left if anyone wants seconds”. I watched the kids, some poked their heads into my room and said hi, bust out of the dining room into the lobby, laughing and running back up to their rooms. Some of the moms bundled up their kids and headed outside into the darkness.  One woman just arrived and was getting the tour – mail boxes, bulletin board, elevators, I felt sad and a bit homesick as I listened. What I enjoyed most was watching the staff speaking kindly and respectfully to the women and children. I can’t even imagine what it must be like living in a crisis center with a young family. At first glance it reminded me of my college dorm – laughing, talking, people heading to meals, but I knew it was nothing like that. As wonderful as Laura’s Home is – and it is a wonderful place, my heart breaks to see so many people living here. Soon it will be chapel time and an opportunity for the community at Laura’s Home to gather together, worship and thank God for His immeasurable grace. Even in a homeless shelter God’s grace is apparent, His love is abounding and His strength is without measure. Now that I think about it, this room has a great view!