Rising levels of homelessness seem daunting, but together we can do something…
This is a special time of year. For many of us, it is a time to celebrate hope and miracles. A time to gather with loved ones to honor traditions and delight in the comfort of favorite dishes. It is a time for Christians to celebrate a powerful God voluntarily entering into our world as a vulnerable baby born into poverty and political turmoil. Jesus reminds us that hope can be found in the most unexpected places. However you are celebrating this December, we hope that you experience every possible joy and blessing this holiday season.
While this is a time of joy for many people, we also know that many are experiencing loss and struggle. According to the daily report on the Department of Homeless Services website, 64,743 people spent the night in a municipal shelter on December 19th. That doesn’t include the hundreds more sleeping in private shelters, church beds, rehab programs, and on sidewalks and subways. To make matters more complicated, Mayor Eric Adams recently announced that in addition to the 31,000 asylum seekers who are already homeless in New York City, thousands more are expected to arrive in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, winter is officially here, bringing temperatures nearing the single digits and highs only in the 20s.
And while these are all good reasons to feel overwhelmed and powerless, the Christmas story reminds us that God is warming up when the rest of us are shutting down. Hope continues to shine in the darkest of places. We consistently hear stories of lives changing, perseverance, and ongoing generosity, and we continue to be humbled by God and by each of you.
Together we can make a difference. Thanks to the generosity of our donors Dallas Clark and Hope Fellowship Church, we are excited to announce a new challenge grant that will MATCH ONLINE GIFTS dollar for dollar, up to $30,000. Double your impact this season so that we can continue to show up and offer hope, community, and connections to resources and critical services to at least 15,000 people throughout some of the coldest months of the year. Thank you for your continued support.
Wishing you and your loved ones a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
With gratitude,
Josiah