Transportation needed for the homeless

At what point does the lack of transportation in the Metro Area hold us back from overcoming poverty and homelessness?

Over a few months ago I was very frustrated to learn of a couple of jobs available in Hanover County. The frustration came from the fact that I had a couple of guys available for a specific job, but they had no transportation.

The bus service did not go out to the Hanover Industrial Park.

Below is a great article from the Richmond Times Dispatch from earlier this week. Dr John Moeser has provided great information concerning this issue.

http://www2.timesdispatch.com/news/2012/oct/01/tdmet01-anti-poverty-panelist-sees-link-between-tr-ar-2247116/

Transportation is a huge obstacle to overcome.

On Thursday I met with a representative from GRTC along with several other people from different churches. GRTC explained the challenges which are mainly associated with the county supervisors and their view of public transportation.

In most cases it's viewed as a social issue as opposed to a economic development issue.

The social issue means that it is only for the poor. 

The economic issue is about overall economic growth through jobs.

In order to make a bigger impact on the homeless community, we need jobs and transportation to get to those jobs!

Mass transit is lacking in the Richmond Metro Area!

We could learn a lot from our friends in Europe!   

Don't believe everything you hear!

Today was a great day of learning more about the homeless population!

I started the morning by driving out to the hood to pick up Charles for breakfast.

Charles came out the house at 7am and we drove off to our usual spot in Scott's Addition called the Dairy Bar.

On the way to the restaurant we drove by a homeless person I had seen before at a meeting at the Alpha and Omega Bible Church this past Tuesday.

He was walking down the road across from the Diamond.

As I drove by I began to have that discussion in my head again!

Should I or shouldn't I?

Should I stop and ask him to join us or not? This struggle went on for several blocks as I drove along.

Mean while Charles is having a conversation with a dummy at this point because I am not listening to him, I am trying to figure out what to do in my own head.

I finally stop the car in the middle of the street and ask Charles if we should go pick up Jerry on the street.

Charles said be ready for what you might be getting into.

I knew God was up to something!

I made the u turn and chased down Jerry.

When we caught up to him we asked if he wanted to go out to breakfast. Once he saw a familiar face he agreed to join us.

At breakfast we asked where he was sleeping? He said on the bench right in front of the bus station. Charles proceeded to offer him a bed at a shelter, but he refused.

Jerry had heard rumors about the place and didn't want to go.

Unfortunately there is probably more to the story than what we were getting. 

We had a great breakfast together and we took Jerry back to the place we picked him up from.

Afterwards Charles and I spent some time talking. Charles explained that too often we will believe the false facts of others without checking things out for ourselves.

Charles had explained that this was true in his life.

I know this to be true in my own life. I will take things at face value without checking them out myself.

Jerry had a perspective about this one shelter that he had heard about, but was not totally accurate. He would not believe what we told him to be true.

Charles should know, he spent 33 years on the streets.

Charles suggested that we need to show him ourselves. I hope that opportunity will come soon.

A picture to drive home a point!

On Tuesday night I went to the Church on Marshall St in the rain, that serves the homeless.

The more I attend the more comfortable I am getting with the unfamiliar setting.

I don't do we'll around strangers. It takes me some time to get to know folks.

During dinner I got to know one gentleman. We enjoyed a conversation about college. He knew about King college where my son goes to school.

I then proceeded to take note of all the folks I had seen before the last time I was there.

What I struggle with the most, is the fact that when it is all over I get in my nice car and drive home to my lovely wife and comfortable setting.

I walk out to my car and watch men and women scatter into the dark and wet night.

Where do they go?

I pray that that picture will burn in my soul to fuel the path I am on to help end homelessness in Richmond!

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Fish out of water

Have you ever been in a situation that you feel like a fish out of water?

You really don't know what to do and you begin to stress about it!

In those circumstances I have to rely on this verse.


2 Corinthians 12:9New International Version (NIV)

9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness"

It's not about what I can do, but what he wants to do through me!

Maybe I NEED to be a fish out of water so I can see God do His thing!

How does God answer prayers?

When I am praying in the Northside how do I know God hears my prayers?

What do the answers to my prayers look like?

What happens when all is quiet?

Sometimes when I contemplate on these questions I come up with the answer that God says!

Yes, No or wait!

At this point I am waiting!