There are too many young men who I have crossed paths with that are couch hopping and lack a consistent place to rest their head. They lack a home address. As a result of lacking a home address, employers are very hesitant to hire them. And the cycle keeps moving....
Take a look at the #2 item in that list:
2) I'd buy a big house in Willmar, Minnesota, and then make rooms available for some of the young men who come through the Joppa ministry. I really have a desire to help young men get roots planted in this community so they can be leaders and make a difference in the area.What if this is a possibility? There are so many young people who are struggling to get on their feet in the West Central Minnesota area. What if they could get a place for cheap (or free) for a little bit, and then have a structured plan to provide housing for a set time period while they got employment and saved some money to get a more permanent housing solution?
There have been a few people that have had a similar thought, but there's never been a lot of legs to it. Here's what I was thinking as a possibility. What if some of God's people purchased that old motel, and got the rooms ready for people as a ministry that helped them get situated in our community?
Of course, there'd be some more structure, some contracts, etc., but what if we could do something like that in this community? Yeah, it'd cost. But what benefits would flow from this, as well?
I don't know the full scope of what all of it would cost. I don't know if there are any regulations in Willmar that may hinder this from taking place. BUT for now, what if it's possible? I want to build something here. I want to invest in people and put a dent in a growing problem in this community.
I think it's a sad statement on our culture (and our church, government, etc.) that there are so many houses and buildings sitting empty while we have an issue with homelessness.
So I'm going to put this out there as a dream and see if it goes anywhere.
I'm tracking 100% with you on this. We have talked about this before in limited circles at Harvest but finances stopped any forward progress. This is something we could/should get excited about as the body of Christ.
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I agree completely. I have been in those talks before and agree they tend to go no where. I am all for legitimately continuing to take this to a new stage. We need someone who would be willing to spearhead this...thoughts?
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