The Homeless Christ by Deb Hoeffner

©2001 Deb Hoeffner - Illustrator Click on picture to got to artist's web site

Most of the year, the homeless in our communities are looked upon as lepers, a sordid, unwashed part of our society. They are shunned, given no place in our dignified world. Come the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas, images of bearded old men, women in layers of tattered clothing, and children with dirty faces peer out from the pages of newspapers and stare back at us from agencies preparing holiday meals. Phones ring off the hook with people wanting to heft a ladle in a soup kitchen. It’s that time of year for us to do something for those less fortunate, then forget about the hopelessness of those in need for another ten months.

Admittedly, many of the homeless are on the streets due to addictions, mental illness and lack of personal responsibility. The U.S. Government has spent billions of your tax dollars on the War On Poverty. The war continues as the current administration has increased welfare spending by 28 percent over last year. If our tax dollars aren’t solving the problem, then what can? As a founder and past president of the Bread of Life Rescue Mission in Oceanside, CA and a founder of the Stockton Shelter for the Homeless in Stockton, CA, I’ve only seen permanent changes in the lives of those who were given the opportunity to accept a saving faith in God. Those who continued to receive counsel to help themselves out of a cycle of homelessness were the fortunate ones. The numbers aren’t great, but those missions who are preaching the Gospel, praying with people and providing good counseling programs are seeing results.

A recent article in the San Francisco Chronicle touts a ten year plan to end homelessness in this city. Read about it at the link below. I believe, the fallacy in this plan is that there will always be a new crop of homeless. Even if one could miraculously rid the country of all drugs and alcohol, cure mental illness with one pill and provide free housing for the masses, you would still not end this problem. No amount of government handouts or intervention will change lives, permanently. The current administration will change. Total dependency on anything other than the charitable giving from private citizens, corporations and foundations is putting faith on shifting sands.

Unfortunately, the Bush administration’s Faith Based Initiative has offered money to churches and ministries which may prohibit the thing most needed by the homeless. Some ministries where federal funds were received are now being challenged in court by The Freedom from Religious Foundation. The Foundation claims that, up until now, no one has pursued the separation of the church and federal dollars. They are winning cases.

Dropping a check in the mail or money in a kettle, just to feel good this time of year, is not always the best avenue to take. Before donating to any charity, do your homework.Visit their web site. Ask to for a written report on how the money is being spent, what percentage goes to over-head and what portion of your dollar is being spent on the poor. Find out if they receive federal funding or rely on private charity. Any honest, non-profit will be happy to comply.

The Homeless line up for dinner

photo and artistic redition by Andrea Bearden-Kuhns