This has been a long hard winter for more families than ever this year.  Streetlights of Bethany has served over 150 clients so far and it’s only March 8th!  There are many more clients assisted by simply providing prayer, counseling and referral to community resources. Those are not even counted.  Most of the 150 clients have been “wrap around” cases. This means that they are provided ongoing support in what ever area is needed to knock down the barriers preventing them from coming off of the streets as well as meeting urgent needs such as finding dentists to provide free dental care, clothing, bus fare, taking clients to the Department of Social Services, Social Security, The Department of Motor Vehicles, paying for Birth Certificates picture ID”s or driver’s licenses, paying for multiple nights at Motel 6 for several of the wrap around cases, providing for food, etc.

One such wrap around case was Rebecca.

She is a young mother of two who was referred to me by the Greenbelt Police Department. She had gone to them for help when she did not know who else to turn to.  I immediately picked her up, fed her and placed her into Motel 6. Members at University Christian Church and NAMI, Trinity Assembly of God, CUCE (Congregations United for Compassion and Empowerment), Abounding Grace Church, Christian Life Center,  First Baptist Church of Laurel and many individuals donated hundreds of dollars over the next three months, enabling me to keep Rebecca and her little one safe while networking with Rims, Greenbelt CARES, Children’s Hospital, Laurel Regional Hospital and many others. Because of medical barriers they could not enter into shelters so without God’s intervention using His people, the young mother and child could have and probably would have frozen to death this winter. Instead, thanks to the hard work of her doctor, her social worker, her pastor, RIMS and eventually PEP and other Streetlights partnerships … Rebecca is now in the only home she has ever had since aging out of the foster care system more than FIVE YEARS AGO!

Another young women was referred to me by The Job Corp and was homeless. I placed her into Motel 6, then into Safe Journey House. She is now in her own apartment through VESTA.

Marquis, the teen we helped get placed into Hearts and Homes for Youth is still in his apartment and going to college this year!  Thanks to Ms. Bessie, he has a computer, etc. and is ready to go!

Tommy is now in permanent housing and lives in his own apartment as well, thanks to the V.A.
Gary is also in his apartment and doing well thanks to LARS.

Be assured, without Almighty God’s blessings none of this would have been possible. Thank you JESUS!

 Young people in our local area raised funds to bless back their community. They chose three non profits to receive those funds. I was contacted by the Reverend Gail Addison of End Time Harvest Ministries and informed that we had been selected to receive a portion of those funds.
  Amazingly, these young people had chosen to spend all of the money they raised from a fundraiser, not on themselves! Rather, they chose to give to those in the community around them who were in need.  Now HOW BOUT THAT for today’s youths?!!!

   Although I needed to leave the presentation early and missed out on the rest of the event, I was so amazed by the maturity of this group of young people. We would do well to learn from them!  

   I look forward to hearing more positive things from them in the future as I am sure they are the ones who will be our future leaders.  If you want to get behind a group of youngsters who are making a difference in the world around them, the Port Towns Youth Council would be the wisest choice you could make! 
  

Suicide seemed the only way to end the pain.  David was freezing to death and he knew it.  Trying to end the pain, David decided to hang himself, but he was too drunk  and too cold to hook the tree with the rope.  After several attempts he gave up in despair.   Having failed at his suicide attempt, at the urging of a friend, David called the Streetlights Crisis Hotline.

It took four days of calling in before he trusted enough to talk about the suicide attempt.  As it happened, Streetlights partnered with the Department of Social Services during the “Point In Time” survey of the homeless. I had asked David to meet us to be counted and it was during the interview that David did tell another PIT volunteer, Mr. Al Aji Dumbuya of UCAP, and I about his failed attempt and with that step of faith and trust, his road to recovery began.

Another PIT/ Streetlights volunteer, Mr. Jorge, of The Agape’ House and I were able to convince David to go to the Washington Adventist Hospital ER where he was first treated for physical needs and then he was transferred to the Behavioral Health unit.

Upon his release from the hospital, I took David the Salvation Army’s Adult Rehabilitation Center,  where he was admitted.

David and Rev. Bobbi at the Salvation Army.

 

 

This December, Streetlights of Bethany ministered to over 46 clients. Of those 46 clients, some were families which I counted as one client. Of those 46 clients, 26 suffer with varying degrees of mental illness. Most were Bi-Polar; manic depressive, some are paranoid skitzoprenics, some hear voices, others are so debillitated by addictions that they are unable to function in society. Many suffer from anxiety disorders, OCD, clinical depression, and three were suicidal. One called herself Snowbell Midnight and another prayed out loud while in my car that God would not let him hurt me. Five were hospitalized. Some went into Reality House, others Safe Haven and three were admitted into Oxford House. We also placed some coming out of The Agape House into Safe Journey, while others also completed the programs in Realtiy or Safe Journey and needed assistance with aftercare plans. It is a joy to find such dedicated organizatins as those that I partner with on a daily basis.  Streetlights placed one individual into Riverdale Presbyterian Shelter, another into the SOME program, a family into Shepherd’s Cove.  I drove two men to Central Union Mission, drove another one to The Salvation Army, referred several to and visited and served in Safe Haven and will be serving in Warm Nights. I visited the churches at their requests. I also ministered to clients and/ or their families who were referred from NAMI, CUCE, CLC, Greenbelt CARES, Greenbelt Police, Catholic Charities, Bladensburg Police Department, Prince George’s Hospital’s Psych Ward and also Washington Adventist Emergency Psych Unit. Streetlights visits clients in hospitals, private homes and Arlington County Jail, as well as on the streets, in the woods and under bridges. . I have listed only a partial list of partners, acknowledging that without our partnerships, our work of love unto The Lord Jesus would not have been possible. Without these friends and co-laborers, we could not provide the wrap around care that is our mandate.  It is of utmost importance to state that none of this could have been possible without the blessings of our Great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.  We wish especially to thank NAMI who has sustained us with their generous support.

 

Streetlights of Bethany provided Christmas for over twenty children, both full Christmas dinners and toys. Through the generosity of one of our partners, The First Baptist Church of Laurel, we were able to bless over 20 homeless individuals with warm, new winter coats. Due to the kindess of Cheryl of First Baptist church in Laurel, we are able to blessed Run Your Race with computers and provide after school program materials to the ministries at University Christian Church. Also I want to thank Robin Vestal, Donnna O’Donnel, Sue Coles, Bessie Colding, Seargent Davis and Dana Duncan of the Bladensburg Police Department. who along with Glen Arden Baptist Church and First Methodist Church in College Park for the food and clothing donations. Christmas was much happier for many because of them. All these blessings were made possible through our partnerships with NAMI, CUCE, Bladensburg PD, University Christian Church, Day Spring Community Church, The Samaritan Way, Trinity Assembly of God, Riverdale Presbyterian Church, Christian Life Center, Passion and Compassion, First Baptist Church of Glen Arden and several dedicated volunteers. 

 
A special note of praise to our Lord regarding Gary. He has had his surgery and is now in the LARS program and living in a beautiful one bedroom apartment!!  The years of homelessness ended, he will be able to focus on maintaining sobriety and other issues. The LARS program will provide him with intensive wrap around care! We are so grateful to our Lord and to LARS! 

• Tommy: Phone calls and trips to Martinsburg, WV. Tommy has cancer which was diagnosed while he was in the VA Hospital being treated for PTSD. He is a long term client.
  
• Gary is now in an Oxford House. I am still trying to find a place for him to recuperate after his surgery. This month we have been partnering with 
  
  
  
  •       The Salvation Army where I placed him, however, he could not stay due to physical condition which prevented him from continuing to work there.  
    
  • Safe Journey House where he completed the program. It was here that we were able to get his surgery scheduled
    
  • Christian Life Center where his mail goes
    
  • Oxford House where he is now staying while he awaits his surgery date
    
  • Laurel Advocacy Services where he is on the list for permanent housing
    
  • His doctor’s office
  
  
• Linda is now in her own apartment and self sufficient. One of the homeless men I met told me he heard she was doing well and wants to get into the program she is in. He was very encouraged by her success. She was a chronically homeless alcoholic with untreated Bi-Polar Disorder.
  
•  Through our partnerships with First Baptist Church of Glen Arden and University Christian Church, Streetlights of Bethany was able to provide 16 baskets to those in need for Thanksgiving and transport them to the people. Among them:
  
  
  
  • senior citizens
    
  • families who were recently homeless and now in their own homes
    
  • families who are extremely poor
    
  • an Oxford House
    
  •  Ex- Offender’s family
    
  • Agape House Jail Ministry
  
  
• We have provided many meals to the homeless and partner with several agencies, ministries, individuals to do so. Some provide the food, others cook, and others distribute
  
• Streetlights was able to provide a bed, bedding, a dresser and lamp to Bobby who is now in his own home.
  
• We were able to place Cathy into the Riverdale Presbyterian Church shelter. She had been living in her car even though she works 2 jobs
  
• Jimmy is now in Reality House. When I began working with him, he was living in the woods. He is an alcoholic, senior citizen, chronically homeless, paranoid schizophrenic. I placed him in Safe Journey House and partnered with them, his mother and Reality House to get him in their programs. I also was key in getting his SSI check from his sister who is his payee and was holding the check. When Jimmy completed Safe Journey House, I drove him to Reality House. I also bought him clothes, a coat, food and personal items. While in Reality House I bought him a birthday present and took it, a card and frosting for the cake. They had not known it was his birthday, but when I told them, they gave him a surprise party.
  
• I advocated for F.M. during her stay at PG Hospital, E400 ward while she was there due to suicidal tendencies. I was able to get her into Reality House where she is doing well.
  
• Streetlights paid for Robert M’s birth certificate and also for a resident at Oxford House to take him to DC to get the certificate, paid for the parking, their food and the volunteer’s gas. I will be taking Robert to get his state issued picture ID this week. This enabled me to help the Oxford House Resident while I was helping Robert.
  
• I took 2 men to MVA. One got ID and the other a driver’s license so he could accept a job offer to drive for a company.
  
• Streetlights provided brand new coats through the generosity of First Baptist Church of Laurel for twelve men who were homeless. Most were alcoholics, many were on meds. Some were physically and most appeared to have mental and/or physical challenges. We talked about getting into programs, going to detox, etc. One I went to the ER with. One has gone to the S.O.M.E. program to request admittance into their long term rehab program.
  
• Streetlights was instrumental in implementing a tutoring program for children with special needs who are falling behind their classmates.We purchased the program, began teaching, and then presented it to University Christian Church. One of the members, Bessie Colding, who is a school teacher has agreed to head this outreach program and it will be called: Fun, Faith and Phonics and is now a ministry of University Christian Church.
  
• Through our partnership with First Baptist Church and especially with members Cheryl Rowe and Robin Vestal, we will be able to obtain teaching materials and books for the new After School Programs at University Church.
  
• Streetlights was able to get volunteers and partners to buy Christmas toys, etc. for 16 children.
  
• Max went back home, takes his meds now and he has started attending University Christian Church. He was formerly homeless, asked to leave a shelter because he was too mentally impaired for their program and had called me in despair.
  
• I ministered to a client who has a daughter in Arlington County Jail. I also visited the daughter twice at the jail. This woman has mental illness according to the mother but she does not acknowledge it and has refused to get help in that area. She did say she would contact me when she was released regarding job assistance.
  
• Streetlights was able to provide hiking cups (provided by The Wishing Well Ministry) to about 20 homeless men and women in Laurel and talk with several of them. I am now partnering with First Baptist Church of Laurel in their homeless ministry.  Ms. Judith McDonald heads The Wishing Well and has been instrumental in assisting the homeless, especially veterans in our area. What a blessing she is! She had referred a vet to me who was living in a shed, suffers from advanced RA and Streetlights paid for him to stay in a motel one night while we worked on his housing situation. He is now residing at P.G. House and has called to thank us for our help.

Winter is here and the churches are once again opening their doors to those who are without the basic necessitites of life.  Warm Nights, WinterHaven and Safe Haven are in full swing.  
Today’s events for Streetlights: 

• Advocated for three clients who have mental health issues, 
  
• a K.P.nurse called and told me of a woman who is living in her car
  
• collected a second large donation of clothing from Arthritis and Pain Associates of P.G. County in Greenbelt which will be given to the homeless
  
• assisted a homeless man who was referred to me by Roberto in DC
  
• Went to Laurel Regional Hospital, Prince George’s Hospital, Safe Journey House, and First Baptist Church of Laurel.  

This week alone, I have transported one client from Safe Journey House to Reality House, one from Laurel Regional Hospital to Safe  Journey House and assisted in the placement of one client from P. G. Hospital to Safe Journey House and then to Reality House.  Partnering with these organizations as we assist the clients with a wrap around care plan is an example of how we as a community working together can make a difference in the lives of so many more than if we each try to “do it alone”.  As more and more churches, ministries, organizations, agencies, etc. partner our resources we will be able to achieve our individual goals and accomplish our missions. I have been so blessed to see this occuring more and more throughout the years. We are so blessed!

Tonight, I met with Ko Klaver, a friend, co-laboror in Christ and one of the members of The First Baptist Church of Laurel which is this week’s host church for Winter Haven.  He introduced me to several of the leaders in the church, including ministers and lay people. What a blessing, What joy to meet them all. Though I just met them, it is as if our hearts were knit and we are so excited to see what our Lord has in store for us!   So much passion for Christ and what loving service to the homeless!  What a joy to meet them and begin a new partnership with them in our service to Jesus as we reach out to the those who are in Winter Haven and to do so in Christ’s Name and His Love. It was good to see Donnie of LARS there, as well! 

This week alone:  We placed Jimmy into Safe Journey House, Cathy was accepted into Riverdale Presbyterian Church’s shelter, and Lola and 2 little girls were accepted into Shepherd’s Cove.  God has been so good to us as we endeavor to assist those in crisis to find safety and minister with practical evangelism. 

Through our partnering with churches, ministries, organizations, agencies, etc. Streetlights of Bethany has been able to assist all clients who have asked for assistance and truly wanted it.  Most notably University Christian Church’s Jobs Outreach Ministry, Run Your Race Ministries, CUCE, Riverdale Presbyterian Church, Bladensburg Police Department, CCSi (the crisis hot line), Trinity Assembly of God, Samaritan Way, Christian Life Center, The Salvation Army, and The Department of Social Services have worked together with Streetlights in assisting our most vulnerable neighbors.  I say “wanted” because one client chose not to accept housing assistance and drug rehabilitation, another refused to accept assistance into the Salvation Army, admitting that he did not want to stop drinking. At least he was honest! 

We continue to provide follow up/ wrap around service to several clients and are encouraged to see them growing in The Lord and overcoming the barriers they have.  Thank you Jesus and thank you partners!