About a year and a half ago, Dr. Louis Wilson walked into my office a total stranger. To be fair, he called and made an appointment. I’m not really used to doctors making appointments with me. It’s usually the other way around. But I digress.
He came that day with one question on his mind; “What can the citizens of Wichita Falls do to reduce the number of unsheltered homeless individuals in our community?” That conversation led to a number of meetings and summits to see if there was an appetite for a collaborative response in our city.
The short answer was a resounding, “Yes.”
This collaboration resulted in a 62-page report that Dr. Wilson and I presented to the City Council. See report HERE. Our only desire was to hear them say they would help with leadership. They were very interested and even enthusiastic. County Judge Jim Johnson said he would bring the county resources to bear.
So back to the plan. It really is a simple idea of educating our citizens on how they can help, networking our agencies and organizations who are already working in this area, identifying the gaps in service and striving to fill them, and mobilizing case workers or navigators who can bring the resources to the street where they are needed.
My personal goal as a shelter director and a passionate follower of Christ is to see Wichita Falls and Wichita County become exceptional in our response.
What I mean by that is that we see this as more than a problem to fix. I pray that we will not just do something about homelessness, but that we will do something for the homeless. An exceptional response, in my mind, can only happen if we reach the reachable. If we see the individual and not just focus on quality-of-life issues. Yes, we all want safer neighborhoods and cleaner parks, but we should also want every human in our city to live their best life.
I mentioned that there is a city-wide collaborative effort to reduce unsheltered homelessness. I realize that we all see things through different lenses, and this issue is no exception.
For instance, some may have thought that when I said “reduce the unsheltered homeless” I meant we just need to get rid of them. Put them on buses to California. Others are hoping we will stiffen our ordinances and better enforce the ones we already have. Still others have suggested that we need more and bigger shelters. Believe me, I have heard from countless neighbors here in Wichita Falls, and there is no lack of opinions.
But, like I said last week, this isn’t just a problem to solve, these are people who need help. And Wichita Falls Faith Mission stands ready and able to help those we can. We are also open to better and more effective ways to offer and present that help.
Among our core values is the belief in the God-given worth of every person and we are committed to providing for the spiritual, physical and emotional needs in a compassionate, safe and healthy way.
We believe this happens through relationships. That’s why we try to listen to their stories and let them know they have value and worth. Our goal is to help them help themselves.
Does everyone we see accept our help? Unfortunately, no. But we will keep trying.
13 months ago, two young ladies came to Faith Refuge from the streets. Two different stories but with the same need. To change their lives and become the person God created them to be.
On Monday of this week, they both stood before their peers and proclaimed that drugs, fear and hopelessness no longer defined them. They have a future, and God has a plan for their lives. Did Faith Refuge do that. Not really. They are different today because they chose to accept the help and do the work to change. We, just provided opportunities and the love.
