God's People Helping People

Help Improve the quality of life of

homeless people so they

stay alive, get jobs, & get housing.

 Please be kind to the homeless. They really just like you.

Only without the security or comfort of a roof over their head—And no address.

Unfortunately, it is the address that defines people in this society.

You can give a homeless person something and they will be the most grateful person who will truly cherish the gift. A homeless person is homeless by circumstance and many do not need much to become active members of society again. Unfortunately, 30% of homeless people are veterans who served protecting this country and many are middle aged adults that worked in Monroe county for 30+ years. Many are physically disabled and cannot work and cannot afford housing. 97% of Monroe County Homeless have had families have lived in Monroe for generations.

Every night, not far from you, hundreds of children, families, veterans and others in your community are experiencing homelessness and many are your neighbors. If you don’t see them, you are not looking. For the majority experiencing homelessness, 

it is by circumstance and not by choice.

The loss of a job, the death of a spouse or a child or a severe physical disability became the route to total despair. These are the very real tragedies that have happened to many people experiencing homelessness. Struck by personal tragedies, they have lost their homes and support systems and are not looking to remain homeless. You can repair this tear in Monroe County’s social fabric by helping them move from benches to beds and to self sufficiency.

1 in 420 people in the US are Homeless

1 in 7 homes are empty

There are 24 empty homes for each homeless American

44% of homeless are employed

60% of homeless are disabled

30% of homeless are Veterans

In October of 2013 we were invited with fellow members of Operation Chill Out to speak to the Youth Group about Homelessness.  We arrived at the Reeder’s United Methodist Church on Rt 715 in Reeder’s, PA and found a beautiful country church with a group of young men and women who were eager to learn about homelessness but even more eager to do what they could do to help.  Operation Chill Out supplies area homeless veterans and nonveterans with survival backpacks.  The Youth group even though there were only about a dozen children present agreed that they wanted to do 25 backpacks.  Now you have to realize each backpack contains the following items which must be all brand new: a sweatshirt, sweatpants, long johns top and bottom, winter socks, sweat jacket and a bag containing personal hygiene supplies from toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, brush, soap.  Along with this is a winter hat and also a pair of winter gloves.  All items are to be new because for our organization this is a dignity issue along with the fact that once items are washed they would not all fit into a backpack.

The youth group wanted to do more and at one point said we will do fifty but the advisor wanted to be cautious and because this was the first time they wanted to be sure that they could do what they said they would.  Now if you think about the items involved, if you purchase decent quality items the packs work out to be about $100.00 per back pack. 

Within a few weeks we were called to come and pick up the backpacks.  A total of 29 were made which was above the number we were told they would make.  Along with this we were given a box of what they had considered excess items.  These were extra sweats, soap, toothpaste and some other smaller items.

When we get the backpacks we take them apart and check that the needed items are there.  After the first few there was no need to check them.  Not only did the backpacks contain the items requested these children put in snacks such as crackers, peanuts and candy bars.  They added little packs of tissues and hand cream.  The packs were filled like Christmas presents would be done with each pocket containing something so that when it was opened they would not find a spot that did not contain something.  These children put in so much effort into this project.  Inside each pack was a hand written and signed note to the person who would receive it.  The notes went something like this:

Dear Friend,

Know that this backpack comes to you with our love and concern for you.  We hope that the items we purchased for you help make a difference for you.  Please know that we love and care about you and that this was our way to show you how we feel.  Thank You and God Bless You.

They were then signed with love and the child’s name.

On 3/16/2014 we were present once again at the church to present the youth group with an award for the excellent job that they had done.  During the service we called the children up and presented it to them along with a pizza party.  During this time we were informed by the advisor that the children decided that they wanted to make this a yearly event and that this year they were going to be better prepared so that they would be able to do more packs for people so that they could help more.  One young man worked over the entire summer and used a good part of the money he had earned to fill two of the packs on his won without the help of his parents or anyone else.

During these discussions we were told how this year the church wants to do a Poverty Event so the children can learn what it is like to be homeless and also to live in poverty.  We were invited to speak at this event and to use it as the launch date for the kick off of the Operation Chill Out back pack campaign in Pennsylvania.

This Veteran Lived in Walmart's Parking Lot for 2 Years.

He just moved into his own home!!!!!

He is so happy!!!!

Heartfelt thanks to all the volunteers that made this possible!

Volunteer & Connect with Homeless

People and Organizations to help the

Homeless.

 Many Veterans are Homeless.

Many are coming out of the military with PTSD and need help finding apartments and connecting with family. Monroe County Homeless Initiative works with volunteer groups Operation Chill Out and Valor to help Homeless Vets.

There is 24 hour emergency care to try and get help, food, water, supplies, counseling, and housing for homeless vets.

 Sometimes it can be as simple as calling a relative that can get a person off the street and into a home.

Other times, it can be water to drink that can literally save a life. It is  important to listen to what they need and treat them with kindness.

 Please be kind to the homeless. They really just like you. Only without the security or comfort of a roof over their head—And no address. Unfortunately, it is the address that defines people in this society.

Many Homeless People feel they are Invisible. They do not have much self-confidence and  feel that they are not important or less than other people. 

Homeless People work hard to try to be invisible &try to fit in. 

·                               Give a cup of coffee-that  simple gesture of  kindness can help change a life.

·         Donate blankets, socks, hand warmers, batteries, tents, towels, toiletries, tissues, backpacks,  tape,  tents & tarps.

·                             Talk to the homeless person & be positive, positive thoughts are contagious & what someone needs

· Volunteer your professional services - No matter what you do for a living, you can help the homeless with your on-the job talents and skills. Monroe County needs professionals from the building industry to build and renovate critically needed housing for the homeless. Those with clerical skills can train those with few skills. Doctors, psychiatrists, counselors and dentists can treat the homeless in clinics. Lawyers can help with legal concerns. Chefs/culinary students can prepare meals. Hairstylist can cut and style hair. Mechanics can make vehicle repairs. The homeless’ needs are bountiful -- your time and talent won't be wasted

Homeless people try hard to be invisible and live surprising places, even in bushes.

  God's People helping People is  founded on the principle that empowering people to speak for themselves gives volume to their voices and ensures that their needs and wisdom

—as they feel, as they express

—are heard.

The Monroe County Homeless Initiative is committed to  end hunger, homelessness, and poverty in the lives of our neighbors in our community . Recognizing that healthy communities depend on respect, dignity, and opportunity for all, we also believe that  bringing an end to the tragedy of no room in  shelters and  hungry children, and abused women cannot happen unless we listen to the voices of those who are directly

impacted by those problems, unless they participate in the process of creating and

 implementing solutions.

God's People Helping People works very closely with Operation Chill Out.

Operation Chill Out is a volunteer organization that goes out to camps of homeless and especially homeless veterans to help them. They are a 24 hour a day 7 day a week emergency help group that triages homeless vets and helps save lives. They have a backpack campaign that gives new backpacks filled with new sweats, long johns, hats, gloves, socks, toiletries, kleenex and other things to keep the homeless person warm and comfy in the winter. Everything is new to give respect to the homeless veteran to help them feel better about themselves. We thank the Reeders Methodist Church for their amazing help and support in this campaign.

Operation Chill Out works very closely with incredible volunteers from Home Depot. They provide all the homeless people with fresh bottled water so no one dies of dehydration. The donations from Operation Chill Out and Home Depot have been invaluable blessings that have truly saved lives and changed lives.

Mike and Tony from Operation Chill Out found a homeless family living in the cemetery in Stroudsburg. They had come here to go to specialized doctors for the wife's eyes and could not find affordable housing and ended up living in a tent. Thanks to the help of Operation Chill Out and the incredible caring and support of the fantastic volunteers at the Homeless initiative, the family now has a home.

We want to thank the the Verizon Pioneers for their great donations.