DEGREE & HOMELESS: Last week, we met a gentleman named Mark. We were introduced to him by Ronald. “Tell him your story…” Ronald said to Mark. “Well, I’m not a beggar. I’ve been living homeless in College Park for three years, and I experienced tons of loss. First, my wife and I lost our son, then I lost my wife, then I lost my job…” Mark said.
As he shared his story, he talked about his degree in economics and how he never thought he’d be this low in life. “Depression set in and I lost all hope. I even tried to take my own life because I felt like there was no reason to live.” He said.
We asked him where he stayed at night, and he shared how he stays in abandoned buildings and uses empty bottles to keep clean by collecting water from place to place. To make it worse, he shared how eats every from trash cans every single day to live.
After hearing his story, we offered him the extra small house and he accepted.
Last week, we learned from Mark that it doesn’t matter how much education you have or how well put together you are, life can happen to us all. Keep him in your thoughts and prayers as we provide temporary housing for two men trying to climb out of homelessness.
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LBW Team
This past Saturday we partnered with three Churches to mobilize over 50 volunteers to serve the community.
Not only did these groups help us to organize our center, but they also got a chance to hear powerful stories from those who are experiencing homelessness in the city.
Check out the recap video below to see what happened.
First Serve Saturday of 2017 from Love Beyond Walls on Vimeo.
LBW Team
HE HAS SHELTER: Today, Johnny and I made our way downtown to engage people experiencing homelessness and to see how we could serve them in this cold weather.
Little did we know we’d meet Ronald and spend hours with him. Ronald has only been homeless for a month after serving 31 years in prison.
We sat and talked as Ronald poured out his heart about how much he missed his family and how he’d have to find somewhere to sleep tonight (maybe behind buildings).
He shivered as he told us more of his life’s story. He shared how he had no friends or family left because they all passed away while he was in prison. He even shed tears about making wrong choices as a twenty year old, and confessed his heart to get it right like “mamma said…”
After talking, we took him to @lovebeyondwalls and surprised him with this mini shelter. His eyes watered up as he kept saying over and over, “tonight I can finally rest without having to wake up and watch my surroundings.” Did we end his homelessness? No.
Did we become his friend? Yes. We ensured he had place to stay that’s warm until our organization can develop next steps for him. He kept saying, “I have a house now…”
With all that’s going on in the world, I thank God for allowing us to meet another friend who needed a friend. Tonight we provided shelter for one. Who knows in the future it may be many!
Terence
Yesterday, we mobilized over 70 volunteers to serve the community while remembering the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
The greatest thing about yesterday is that most of our volunteers were youth! We got a chance to teach them about servant leadership and why we serve those who are vulnerable.
Check out this video below.
MLK Day Recap – Love Beyond Walls from Love Beyond Walls on Vimeo.
LBW Team
This past weekend, we hit the streets to help transport many homeless people that were staying outside during the ice storm to warming stations around Atlanta. We were able to get over 30 individuals off of the streets, but there were a few individuals that decided remain outside in the cold.
We partnered with groups to take blankets, socks, and warming items to keep our friends warm. If you are interested in donating blankets, socks, or coats please reach out to us as we aim to serve those still sleeping outside in this weather [email us at info@lovebeyondwalls.org].
LBW Team
We just wanted to take time to say thank you for supporting our work in 2016. This year alone, we reached millions of people digitally through our awareness campaign and resourced thousands of people with hope, connections, and basic need items locally and nationally.
We couldn’t have done any of this without your help and support!
Guess what else? We’ve started the editing process for our documentary film, and will give you updates as we progress this coming January.
We just wanted to say thank you and Happy New Year!
If you’d like to make a year end contribution, support our work [HERE].
LBW Team
This past Saturday, we partnered with Revolution Church, CoveredBridge Church, Bronner Bros. & a well-known studio to serve many families for the Holidays.
We had over 50 volunteers loving on 250+ families in College Park. Not only did we serve them, but we prayed for tons of people who expressed their pains, hurts, and fears.
This coming Saturday, we are delivering the gifts collected for the families we adopted for Christmas.
Check out some of the pictures below!
If you’d like to make a year end contribution, support our work [HERE].
LBW Team
