No Where to Go!

If you have never worked closely with the Homeless population then you will never really appreciate how broke the system is.

When I speak of the system I am speaking to the services that are available to a person in need in the Richmond area.

Unfortunately based on what I have learned it's not just Richmond!

Take for example that on this past Saturday the hospital wants to release you as in David's case and you have no where to go.

First off there is no one there to be your advocate other than a social worker from the Hospital.

That is the job of the social worker.

The problem with that is, that on the weekends there is only ONE person on call for the entire hospital.

Keep in mind that the social worker is the one and only person that is your advocate if you are all alone.

I've been told and seen first hand how over whelmed the social workers are at the hospital.

Fortunately enough during our time on Saturday the social worker came by the room.

She was a very nice lady and showed genuine care for David's situation.

After she heard David's case she explained there was nothing she could do because it was Saturday!

She said there were no resources to access because it was the weekend, yet the hospital was prepared to release him any way.

Respit care was not even an option.

In the hospital's defense David's housing situation changed at the last minute, but there were no alternatives provided for him from the hospital.

I don't mean to SHOUT, but do peoples' needs stop on Saturday or after 5pm on the weekdays?

Another example is that the Homeless services shut down on the weekends.

You see the point of entry for the Homeless is only open Monday - Friday 9am -5pm.

This is a tragedy and it needs to change.

One more example of why Richmond needs a Dream Center that is open 24/7!

There should not be a situation where somebody has no place to go!

Death with Dignity

In the less than 24 hours David (whom I asked for permission) was told he had only 1-2 months to live and no place to call home.

The hospital was prepared to release him yesterday knowing he had no where to go!

David is an Urban Camper with no family and no resources.

NONE!

Over the next few weeks and months I want to share with you the story of David, who is my friend and who once was homeless.

He now resides with my family as we walk together in this journey.


This past week has been one of unimaginably emotions and struggles of a man that spent the last 21 days in a hospital.

I not only want to tell you the story of the man, but also the story of how poorly run our health care system is, especially for those who do not have anything.

There are bright lights to the stories to be told as well.

My hope is that you will not only pray for David, but you will be made more aware of the plight of the Urban Camper.

You see David was one of the men from the retreat, and I am not going to let David die without dignity.

SUV for An Urban Camper!

The other week a bicycle was donated for the Urban Campers.

I was searching for a friend who might need it to get around town.

At a Church picnic, I asked WB who went on the homeless retreat or should I say the Urban Camper Retreat if he needed some transportation.

He smiled and said he would love a bike.

My only concern was the amount of personal belongings WB liked to carry with him.

He had two bags with him at all times.

I asked where he would put them.

He said the handle bars were perfect for that.

I expressed some concern, but He and his bike were loaded up in a car and were driven back into the city.

The following week I waited to see if WB would show up for the Tuesday night bible study at the Alpha and Omega Bible Church.

I wanted to see him riding on the bike to Church.

Sure enough in his usually late manner he came slowly down the street.

I was glad to see him riding slowly because he had not two bags on the handle bars, but four!

After parking his bike and locking it up, I asked how did he manage to steer with all that luggage?

He said "That's my SUV"!

I couldn't help but laugh and smile at how thrilled he was to have An Urban SUV!

Urban Camper Picnic

A few weeks ago I invited the guys from the homeless retreat to come have some fun and great food.

The Church was having a picnic.

There was a little competition going on as well.

We played the "Minute to Win It" game.

It just so happens the Urban Camper Group merged with the Story Teller Group to form the Urban Story Teller Group.

We placed third in the competition.

The guys were excited about the medals they received.

It was a blast having the guys come over and have some fun and great food!

Think of the possibilities if you will just reach out and make a friend!

One Day at a Time!

I wanted to take this time to give an update on my friend's status in the hospital.

He has a very aggressive form of cancer in one of his lung's and throat.

Please keep him in your prayers!

I know that PRAYER works! 

I have seen prayers answered with my own eyes over and over again.

Now is the time for God to show himself strong!

I am humbled by the way God has orchestrated the situation to get him in a hospital where he can get the best care available.

Two weeks ago he was taken to the hospital and placed in the ICU.

If he had not gone then, he would probably be dead today!

He would have died on the streets. 

I had no idea of where God was going to take me on this adventure after the Homeless Retreat, but I can't think of where I would rather be seeing God at work.

God has a plan and I am just taking it one day at a time.