I noticed that the forecast for the high temperatures this past week ranged from 19 degrees to 73 degrees. That’s a 54-degree difference in just 7 days. We pass out blankets one day and popsicles a few days later.
People ask me all the time what we do to prepare for the inevitable extremes in the Texas weather. The simple answer is … everything. Being prepared is what we are good at.
And the reason for that is because we take our role as “the end of the road” very seriously.
Many of the men, women and children we serve are counting on us to be prepared. And the truth is, customizing our services to match the need is just in our DNA.
We love to listen to their stories and direct them to resources that will help them. While we fully embrace our role to provide a warm place that is safe from the elements, our goal is that every person would be able to do that for themselves.
We do that by leading them in the process of removing any barrier that keeps them from be self-sufficient. For some, it may be something as simple as getting an ID. Others need help finding a job or a place to live. And our 13-month addiction recovery/job readiness program has led hundreds of men and women to a life of victory over drugs and alcohol.
All the while, we will be open 24/7, serving 3 meals a day, always ready to do what we can. In the meantime, if you see someone out on one of these extreme weather days, tell them about Faith Mission, Faith Refuge or the Salvation Army. Call our main number or the police if it looks like an emergency. You just may save someone’s life.
