Matt Bussell, Associate Pastor for Outreach and Mission
In the Season of Advent, we look forward to Christmas and remember the story of Christ’s birth. We learn in the gospels about Mary and Joseph traveling to Bethlehem for the census when it was time for Jesus to be born. With no room in the inn, they were desperate for shelter and ended up in a stable. This Advent, many of our unhoused neighbors are likewise searching for shelter, unsure of where they will spend the night. Like those who offered shelter to Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus, we too have the chance to care for our neighbors through our Winter Emergency Shelter.
At the start of October, I received an email from the mayor’s office asking for a meeting about meeting the needs of our unhoused neighbors. Less than two weeks later, the mayor, assistant city manager, and a county commissioner came to an Interfaith Affordable Housing Initiative meeting asking for help from the faith communities in sheltering the unhoused. They had learned that the Interactive Resource Center (IRC) was going to stop being open 24 hours at the start of November and were looking for partners. This started a flurry of meetings with faith community leaders, city leaders, county leaders, and Greensboro Urban Ministry trying to figure out a way to provide shelter for the unhoused this winter. After weeks of work and countless meetings, this group put together a plan for Winter Emergency Shelter. Here is how it will work:
- Four churches (First Presbyterian Church, First Baptist Church, Grace Community Church, and West Market Street United Methodist Church) will serve as Winter Emergency Shelters with a total of 57 beds. The target start date is December 8 and the shelters will run through March 31.
- Greensboro Urban Ministry (GUM) will receive funds from the city to run the program. They will staff the program with a program coordinator to oversee the Winter Emergency Shelters, along with Site Coordinators and Night Managers to staff the shelters. GUM will vet and select the shelter guests from among those already staying at Weaver House. This will ensure that those staying at the churches are good fits for communal living in these shelters. To cover the costs of the churches, GUM will be paying each church $20 per night per guest.
- The churches will be responsible for providing the space for the shelter, along with meals and volunteers. GUM will provide the guests with lunch.
At its November meeting, the Session approved First Presbyterian Church being a Winter Emergency Shelter this winter. We will be hosting 15 men in the Shetler Building from 6 pm to 6:30 am. In addition to the GUM staff, we will need volunteers to help operate the shelter.
- Meal Volunteers (1 person/family/group per night): Bring a meal to the shelter at 6 pm for the guest (15 people) and have it set up and ready to serve by 6:15. Eat with the guests and then pack up the leftovers and leave the shelter around 7 pm. Sign up HERE
- Evening Volunteers (2-3 people per night): Arrive at the shelter at 5:45 pm to make sure everything is set up for the evening. Unlock the doors at 6 pm to check guests in using paperwork provided by GUM. From 7 to 9 pm, escort guests to the shower area and back the shelter. Depart the shelter around 9:15 pm after the showers and guest chores are completed. Sign up HERE
- Overnight Volunteers (1 person per night): Same duties as the evening volunteers but staying overnight. Lights out at 10 pm. In the morning, help start the day by starting coffee and getting out breakfast items for the guests. As guests are leaving, make sure beds are made and their areas are neat. Guests leave by 6:30 am and volunteers leave around 6:45 am. Sign up HERE
We could also use 4-5 people behind the scenes to coordinate and make sure things run smoothly. Please contact me if you are interested in serving as a Volunteer Coordinator, Meals Coordinator, Laundry Coordinator, Physical Needs Coordinator, or Pantry Coordinator.
The Winter Emergency Shelter is a big undertaking for our church this winter and we are working to partner with other churches to help provide volunteers. Throughout Scripture God calls us to care for the marginalized, poor, and hungry. We are answering God’s call by providing the Winter Emergency Shelter. Through it we are putting love into action. Please sign-up to help our unhoused neighbors this winter and feel free to reach out to me with any questions.
In Christ,
Matt
