I received an email yesterday that made me so happy, I was bent over with laughter.
Back story: The US Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that 154,000 vets are homeless on any given night. The VA adds, one out of every three homeless men found sleeping by a dumpster has risked his life serving his country. These brave souls who once stood in the line of fire to protect our freedom, now wear hand-me-down clothes and sleep in an alley. Unbelievable. This story has to change.
New story: South Bend will soon be the home to America's first shelter exclusively for homeless veterans! God's people are now writing a new story for these homeless vets.
Through a collaborative partnership between GCC, EnterMission, Center for the Homeless (CFH), and Miller's Veterans, a recently purchased building on 747 S. Michigan St. will be renovated into a place of safety and transformation for homeless Vets.
Amazing, eh?
The real catalyst at the middle of this great new work is Robert Miller, Former Superior Court Judge and retired lieutenant commander in US Naval reserves, who served in WW2 and Korea.
Last December, while reading a story in the paper on homelessness, Judge Miller saw a picture of a homeless vet sleeping in a coffin-like box. The image shook him to his core.
"When I looked at the picture...I didn't sleep much that night. I kicked the covers for three or four more nights and thought, I better find out what I can do."
Those sleepless nights birthed, Miller's Veterans, a new "platoon" of homeless vets who were living at the CFH. They've formed a drill team and began marching the parades, leveraging the community created to renew their spirits, help them regain self-respect, and give them a fresh start toward a new life.
That vision has blossomed into a vision for this new facility.
Two years ago, when GCC was building Monroe Circle Community Center, 70% of the labor was volunteer labor, both skilled and unskilled. After a tour of the Community Center, lead by our Director of Life Mission, Jack Magruder, the quality of the work the people of GCC had accomplished in partnership with the people of Monroe Circle left Judge Miller almost speechless.
So...it's building time again!
The GCC construction team, Granger Student Ministries, and Merge, under the leadership of Maribeth Roncz, GCC's leader of the CFH Team, are getting geared up to be the muscle and backbone behind this great new project.
It's time to add on to the Kingdom, bringing up there down here for homeless vets in MIchiana.
A few days ago, we sent off our "Letter of Intent" for partnership to Steve Camilleri, Executive Director at the CFH, and Former Superior Court Judge Miller.
It was Judge Miller's response email that made me laugh with joy. These are his words. I hope his heartfelt eloquence moves you the way it moved me.
"The poverty of the human language will not permit me to fully express the acceptance, approval and deep appreciation for your Letter of Intent to Partner and the extremely generous terms therein contained. I have just concluded a discussion and review with your good friend Steve Camilleri, speaking on behalf of the Center, who has gladly directed me to advise that his sentiments are identical, and even more so, if that is in fact possible. This isn't like we have to take your word for your proposal. Your work products scream of your talents and abilities."
If you're wanting to get your fingerprints on this, you can come to any Second Saturday starting this fall and join the party. In addition, we'll have deeper opportunities throughout the week for those with the availability and certain skill sets.
BTW for Church Leaders: We often get asked about partnership and the tools we use to develop them. If you'd like to take a look at the Letter of Intent, you can download it here.
Rob, I'm curious - why the CFH instead of Hope Ministries? I volunteer at Hope regularly, and it seems like we'd want to extend their efforts before the city's.
Daniel
Posted by: Daniel Goepfrich | July 29, 2009 at 04:02 PM
This is AWESOME!!!!
Posted by: Kristin Baker | July 30, 2009 at 07:42 AM
I love our church and that God has his fingerprints all over this next step for us, as a body of believers.
Looking forward to getting my hands dirty once again this fall.
Posted by: J Aquila | July 30, 2009 at 09:44 AM
Rob,
This blog is wonderful and we are so blessed with the unwavering commitment and dedication that you have shown us over the years! My high school motto was 'Fortes in Unitate' - Strength in Unity - and make no mistake about it we are better together and couldn't fulfill our mission without your help!
I thank God for your ministry and the ministry and talent and passion of our friends at GCC!!
I end this hearty in approbation and lavish in praise of all you at GCC do for so many around the world and here in your backyard!!
Steve Camilleri
Posted by: Steve | July 30, 2009 at 10:56 AM
I LOVE this! Our GSM kids take great pleasure and pride in the small part God allowed them to play in MC3.
I know they will be fired up to hear about the opportunity for them to play a part in this next chapter!
Posted by: Phil W. | August 01, 2009 at 01:12 PM