Simple is Better – Support the Homeless – May Our Monthly Resolution

Leviticus 25:35-36: If your brother becomes poor and cannot maintain himself with you, you shall support him as though he were a stranger and a sojourner, and he shall live with you.

Take no interest from him or profit, but fear your God, that your brother may live beside you.

I’ve lived in so many different places in my life. Houses, dorm rooms, apartments. I even lived in a hotel room for several semesters while attending seminary. I’ve had roommates, sometimes lots of them! I’ve lived alone and with family. For the last 25+ years, Hubby Rick and I have enjoyed a variety of houses and tried valiantly to make every house a home.

Over the years, we’ve invited various people to live with us. Some people were with us for a few weeks. Others stay with us for months. A couple lived with us for over a year. We evaluated each situation and determined how we might best help a situation. Sometimes, this meant providing a safe place for someone to live for a while.

I share this not to gain accolades or special recognition. My intention is to share a little insight into how Hubby Rick and I view sharing what God has blessed into our care and how we utilize it for God’s kingdom. At times, this has included providing housing for others. If I were honest, I would also share that some of these situations turned out better than others. We are thrilled when a safe place for someone allows them to make their next best step in a healthy way. Other times, we questioned whether or not the situation was best for them and us.

At the end of the day, people still need safe places to live. And if we provided a little bit to someone else, then we feel we’ve carried out God’s call in our lives.

Most of us would be surprised in how many people in our communities truly struggle with housing. So many families are literally on the brink of just barely being able to sustain their living situation. For a variety of reasons, people find themselves without a place to stay and wonder what to do next.

This is when places like Harbor House, our May Our Monthly Resolution non-profit organization, are so important. Harbor House is located in Superior, WI. They provide families

emergency shelter for families for 30 days. Each family has their own secure room. Single women share a dormitory-style room with an available secure locker space. Bedding, toiletries, diapers, towels, clothing and non-perishable foods are provided. Along with short-term housing, Harbor House assists people with securing temporary financial assistance, teaching budgeting, mental health assessment and referral, parenting skills and necessary steps to prevent future homelessness.

Harbor House also has a Transitional Living Center which is for homeless families that need more extensive assistance in attaining permanent housing. This program offers affordable housing while education, advocacy and empowerment are provided through case management with weekly case meetings, weekly educational resident meetings, accountability, and support for the families and single women.

The goal of Harbor House is clear. It’s not a hand-out but a hand-up. While emergency housing is provided, Harbor House is committed to helping families establish themselves in such a way that they can support themselves. They discover the “how” to do this as part of accountability and support.

Several times, I’ve been involved in mission trips where we assisted at Harbor House’s facilities. I’ve seen firsthand the families whose lives have been changed. Impact happens.

Years ago, Harbor House was an early Our Monthly Resolution organization. We’re including them again this year because they have just moved to a new location! They received a grant from the city of Superior to purchase and renovate a former residential triplex. Currently, they serve an average of 300 women and children annually with a month-long wait list. The new facility will allow Harbor House to double their capacity.

While the inside of the facility is complete, Harbor House needs to complete required renovating of the facility’s outside. We hope you might support this project and help Harbor House completed the necessary updates to the outside of their new-to-them facility.

Harbor House is a ministry of Faith United Methodist Church. Donations go through the church. Here’s how you can donate:

Online: go to https://superiorfaithumc.faithteams.com/give. After you have entered your donation, click on the Give To drop-down menu and choose Harbor House. In the notes area, please indicate that your donation is part of Our Monthly Resolution.

Donations can be mailed to: Harbor House, c/o Faith United Methodist Church, 1531 Hughitt Ave. Superior, WI 54880.

Their EIN: 39-1840533.

Having a safe and secure housing situation is important. For everyone. By supporting Harbor House (or a similar organization in your community), we are fulfilling God’s ask to help others. Let’s do this together.

Blessings –

Dianne

Loving God – You know the people who struggle with safe and secure housing. Place it upon my heart how I might be part of a solution to help. May I see helping others as if I am helping You. Amen.

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Looking for a bit of daily inspiration? Check out my daily affirmation posts on Facebook and Instagram (Dianne Deaton Vielhuber and Simple Words of Faith.)

Attend one of my upcoming book events!

Sun., May 17 – Spring Prairie Lutheran Church, DeForest, WI – leading 10 AM worship

Tues., May 19 – Trinity Church, Beaver Dam, workshop at 2 PM