Thanks so much to everyone who came out to the Fund/Friend Raiser last night!!! We have a great turnout, extended cooperation between local poverty agencies, missions and ministries. I saw the Village of Promise founder (Bobby Bradley) talking to a Downtown Rescue Mission board member (Scott Martin) and Lincoln Village founder (Mark Stearns). I saw First Stop staff hugging The Village staff, and board members from both agencies coming together. Maybe old rivalries and conflicts can become less relevant in the face of mutual love for the poor and homeless.
Altogether, our “friend raising” exceeded 100 new contacts and in dollars raised, we should be over $10,000. Thanks again everyone for your help and show of support with your donations and your presence. So here’s how to keep that mo going!
www.VillageOutreach.org – The Village Inc’s website, supporting Melissa and April and their Board with fund raising and marketing. The Village is a 501(3)(c) and is engaged in 24/7 monitoring of the camps. Melissa and April and their host of volunteers physically visit an average of 2 or 3 camps per day, assessing disease states, mental function and simple physical needs like toiletries. I am proud to serve on the Board of Directors.
www.getcloaks.com – Mark Stearns homeless shelter project, I was wearing one during many of the announcements and drawings at the event. Please donate to this cause! We need more $$ to order more cloaks. The first batch will be distributed in New Orleans during the BCS Championship game.
www.firststopinc.com – daytime homeless support on Stokes Street. First Stop has housed dozens of homeless people just this year by walking them through the various hoops required to get housing from Section 8 and Huntsville Housing Authority. They offer a Day Room, a washer and dryer, case management, a mailing address and a phone number the campers can use to keep in touch with family and a warm plate of food most mornings. Their work is supported by a HUD grant, by the City of Huntsville and by donations from people like you! First Stop is a 501(c)(3) organization.
www.downtownrescuemission.org – The Downtown Rescue Mission is a nonprofit organization serving the homeless living throughout northern Alabama and southern Tennessee. For more than 30 years, we have saved numerous lives and have had a profound impact on thousands of others by providing Christ-filled, enriched and compassionate services to those in desperate need.
www.villagepromise.com – Bobby Bradley and Gloria Batts started Village of Promise in 2010 to begin a long-term effort to break the cycle of generational poverty in Huntsville. Inspired by her experience working with Lincoln Village Ministries and the Lincoln Village Preservation Corp for years, Bobby is initially focusing on University Place Elementary School with a Harlem Children Zone style “full-wrapper” program. I am proud to serve on Bobby’s Board of Directors.
Thanks again so much for your support and friendship.
