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Surviving the Economic Hurricane

In 2008 Greensboro Urban Ministry, along with the rest of the country and the entire world, has had to face the challenges of an “Economic Hurricane” that has negatively affected many lives.  During the months of November and December alone, Urban Ministry saw a 30 to 40 percent increase in requests for services.  Both Weaver House and Pathways have been filled beyond capacity all year.  To deal with a waiting list of 40 or more families, Urban Ministry started a new program, Beyond Pathways, that was initiated through a bequest from the estate of Nancy R. Hudson.
Beyond Pathways rapidly rehouses homeless families and provides supportive services using a “housing first” model of care. First Lutheran Church, Westminster Presbyterian Church, St. Pius X Catholic Church, Genesis Baptist Church, and West Market Street United Methodist Church all became Welcome Home Teams and sponsors for these families.

Thanks to Operation Greensboro Cares, WE! (Winter Emergency Shelters) was funded under the Urban Ministry umbrella.  WE! (Winter Emergency) sites provide a safe, comfortable place for homeless men and women to spend the night and will be available to them consistently for 90 nights.  WE! was organized on the basis of an innovative, family-model approach.  The same guests stay at a particular WE! site for the duration of the winter season.  For homeless people this eliminates the uncertainty about where they will stay on a cold night; for the volunteers it provides an opportunity to get to know a group of people who share a remarkable resilience and depth of experience.  Hopefully, by creating a family-like atmosphere, the community will come together as one to help end homelessness in Guilford County. West Market Street United Methodist Church, The Hive, Grace Community Church, First Presbyterian Church, Pleasant Garden Baptist Church, and Mt. Zion Baptist Church all serve as sites.

2008 marked the twentieth anniversary of William Mangum’s Holiday Honor Card.  The 2008 card, “First Light,” was unveiled at Christ United Methodist Church and the “Have a Seat” fundraiser.  More than $20,000 was raised at this event to purchase new tables and chairs for Potter’s House.

Last year Guilford County leaders adopted a Ten Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness.  Nearly 80 chronically homeless individuals have now been taken off the streets and have a home of their own with supportive services.  Beyond Pathways has begun rapidly rehousing homeless families from Pathways.  Many cities and communities across the nation have adopted plans to end not only chronic homelessness but all homelessness in their areas.  Our dream for the next 9 years is that all homelessness will be ended by 2018! 

Peace and Shalom,

Rev. Mike Aiken, Executive Director
Marlow Hinton, Chairperson of the Board of Directors