Winter Sanctuary 2014

I am going to be homeless unless I get some help soon.

Here is my story and why I am hoping you will help me.

Saturday night did not end the way I thought it would. After watching the Stanford football game on a big screen TV in my cozy living room on my comfortable couches, my son Donnie and I headed over to Capital Christian Center for a Saturday service.

Shortly after arriving at the service I realized I could be homeless in just a few days.

I am not new to going to church . . . I grew up in a church and spent the greater part of my childhood there but it has not been a part of my life or my family’s life for decades. However, recently Donnie’s mother and I enrolled him into Capital Christian Elementary School and in turn decided to become a part of the community.That means we are attending services regularly.

I am still on my own spiritual quest and doing my best to come to terms with what I believe and what is in my heart and the services and the messages have been uplifting and thought provoking.

This last Saturday night was the most uplifting and thought provoking service so far.During the service, Reverend Rick Cole shared a message about lending a hand and helping those who need it, not to criticized or belittle others.It hit home on a few levels for me. Rev. Cole shared that the program “Winter Sanctuary” which houses homeless individuals during the winter months through faith based organization had lost its funding for the busing and administration cost.The budget for the Winter Sanctuary program is over $300,000.It provides housing for hundreds of local homeless when it is the most miserable outside.

Rev. Cole informed that congregation that he was going to try and help by actually trading places with those who are less fortunate in the hopes to bring attention to the program.So today, (Sunday) after services he is now living on the streets until he raises $100,000 for the program.  Sacramento Bee’s coverage: http://www.sacbee.com/2014/09/27/6742044/megachurch-pastor-plans-to-live.html

Rev. Cole’s willingness to help others at his own discomfort is both humbling and inspiring.So much so that I want to help him get off the streets as soon as possible.In order to help Rev. Cole I am committing today that I will raise enough for money 100 individuals to have shelter for one full week this winter.This totals $7,700.00.I will donate a portion myself and am asking my friends and family to help me reach my goal.

If I do not reach my goal by Thursday October 2, 2014, I like Rev. Cole, will live on the streets until I reach my goal.Please help Rev. Cole come home to his family and to help house hundreds of people this winter in Sacramento.

Will you help me?Please make your donation at the link provided below.

James Becker

Make Friends – Serve People™

Help us make a radical impact in the lives of those who need it most. Our mission is to raise $300,000 in order to provide temporary housing and food for hundreds of Sacramento's homeless during the winter months. 

Each winter, cold and wet weather conditions threaten the lives of nearly 1,000 homeless men and women who live on Sacramento-area streets. The Winter Sanctuary Program was founded to meet the needs of these individuals with nowhere to go. Comprised of a network of religious congregations under the leadership of Sacramento Steps Forward, Winter Sanctuary is the only winter shelter option for single, homeless adults. The goal of this privately funded program is to help these individuals, who all too often fall through the cracks.

Program Basics (data from HMIS)

• 133 nights of shelter, hot meals, and simple breakfasts provided (November 19, 2012 to March 31, 2013)
• An average of 89 guests sheltered nightly
• 536 unduplicated guests served
• Average length of stay: 24 days
• Median length of stay: 10 days

Guest Demographics and Subpopulation Characteristics (data from HMIS)

• Gender: The majority of Winter Sanctuary guests are male. Male 63%, Female 37%, less than 1%Transgendered (n=1)
• Age: 70% ofWinter Sanctuary guests are between the ages of 25 and 54. Less than 10% of guests are Transition AgeYouth age 18-24 or Seniors 62 and older, 7% and 5% respectively.