rainy day on the Corner
Rain sprinkled down as we gathered Thursday morning to read the book of John. We sat and stood with the coffee cart under a small line of trees that kept the ground below fairly dry. Thanks to my friends Becky and Melissa, we had large-print Bibles for all.
It was a lively day, with strong personalities with lots of different opinions. As we talked, I learned that a few of my homeless friends had to sleep on the streets the night before, including one woman who has been coming to our study essentially since it began.
From these women and men, I learned that the shelter had reduced the number of beds they have, and so some women and many men had to sleep on the streets, starting last Wednesday night.
We wrapped up our study with prayer, and the women told me that they planned to get in line at the shelter earlier in the day, so as I left the study, I assumed everything they would get a bed and everything would be okay.
When I arrived back in the afternoon, I immediately noticed more women hanging around than normal. Because the women are let into the shelter at 2 p.m., whereas the men go in at 4 p.m., we rarely see many women at the Corner in the afternoon.
As soon as I walked up, one of them burst into tears as I inquired why they were there. Another said, "We were too far back in line today. They didn't have beds for us." So I plopped down on the curb with three women who were facing a night on the streets. I was happy to learn that one of the three women had gotten in touch with a friend and could stay at her friend's house for the night. So we were left with two women without places to stay.
I asked if we could pray, so the four of us grabbed hands and asked God to please provide exactly what they needed for the night. We needed two beds! But it was late in the day, so the chances of finding two beds were quickly diminishing.
First, we headed over to the shelter to learn more about why they had reduced the number of beds. We learned they had shut down their "overflow" area, which is why there had been a near 80 bed reduction. Seeing as the temperature is rising now, this is more of a problem than it might be at another time of year, since more people want to stay indoors because of the heat.
I called over to a friend who volunteers with the Salvation Army to see if Carr P. Collins had any available space for the night. Unfortunately, they have had an influx of families and were already at capacity. The Bridge wasn't an option for these women, as the culture can be very difficult for anyone trying to maintain a drug/alcohol free lifestyle, and safety issues can come into play there too.
My pastor's wife (from growing up) just happened to join us for the first time this week. While I and another person had gone to learn more from the shelter, she had stayed back with the women. When we returned, I plopped down on the curb next to her. And then she said, "What about the
?"
Of course!
I thought.
The Center of Hope!
Ironically, I had been there for the first time ever that very same day! Earlier that morning, I went to meet a woman who had been staying on the streets and was ready for a better environment and new life. She actually didn't show up, but I met a man, "Dominique," who does intake over there.
So I called over to Center of Hope, and when a man answered, I said, "Hi, I am calling to see if you have any beds available tonight."
"Yes, we have
two
beds left for the night," he responded.
"Oh, wonderful. I am here with two women who weren't able to get in at another shelter. I will bring them over now. My name is Elisabeth Jordan, what's your name?"
"Dominique," he responded.
Excitedly, I explained how we had met earlier that morning. Then, I handed the phone over to the two women, so that he could talk to them before we headed that way.
He talked to each of them, and we loaded up my car.
One of them had three HUGE bags, and my car was already so full of homeless supplies that it was kind of a miracle we could fit the bags in. (Also, I had just been thinking earlier that day how happy I was that no one would be riding in my car anytime soon, since it is basically my office, and last Thursday was in desperate need of a clean-up :).)
An hour before intake ended, we arrived at the Center of Hope, the women filled out the paperwork, and got checked in!
Although I have spent regular time in South Dallas with the homeless for almost a year, this was the first time some of my female homeless friends have ever had to face sleeping on the streets because of lack of beds. It was quite distressing to think about two younger women that I personally know and care for sleeping outside on the streets another night. These weren't just numbers to me -- "80 beds shut down so some homeless people have to sleep on the streets." These were women I have gotten to know and love.
I'm not sure what we would have done if we hadn't found beds somewhere. Thankfully, we did.
Really, it couldn't have ended up better. Exactly two beds for two women, who didn't have to sleep on the streets. I am so thankful.
How You Can Help:
If you are a praying person, please consider praying for this bed situation. We went back down on Saturday for a little bit (to prepare for
), and people were still frantic because there aren't enough beds. I talked to another woman who was facing a second night on the streets. It seems there is a real shortage of beds right now in Dallas, so please pray for our homeless neighbors facing a very difficult situation. Pray also for wisdom for those of us working with them, that we can help them find beds.
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