Don't Walk By 2009 Final Report

8/14/2019 Don't Walk By 2009 Final Report

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THE RESCUE ALLIANCE,NEW YORK CITY

DONT WALK BYJANUARY 2009


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CAMPAIGN OVERVIEW

In the spring of 2008, a group of organizations came together

around the cause of homelessness in New York City. It became

apparent that each brought a unique role to the continuum

of care for the homeless community, and the Rescue Alliance

concept was born. There are two main objectives for theRescue Alliance: awareness and outreach.

AWARENESS:

Homelessness is an issue that New Yorkers encounter each

day as they commute to work and travel home. The challenge

for the Rescue Alliance was how to inspire and empower New

Yorkers of faith to actively engage their homeless neighbors. In response to this challenge, the leadership

developed a unique campaign called Dont Walk By. The Rescue Alliance produced a seven minute movie

and print media package based on the story of the Good Samaritan. Throughout the fall of 2008 the team

worked to promote the campaign, with screenings in over 200 churches. Challenging New Yorkers not

to walk by, the Rescue Alliance instead invited them to participate in one of ve outreaches planned forJanuary 2009. The website, www.dontwalkby.org, served as the vehicle for volunteer registration and

provided information about homeless resources.

OUTREACH:

The Rescue Alliance planned the daunting task of

walking every street in Manhattan with the motto

of oering an alternative to homelessness. The

island was divided in to ve zones, one for each

Saturday in January. Zones were further subdivided

into approximately 40 separate subzones, with a

team of volunteers assigned to each. Every Saturday,volunteers met at an anchor church to receive training,

organize into teams, and go out on a search and

rescue mission. The volunteers engaged homeless

people along their assigned route and invited them

to the anchor church or a nearby relief bus. Volunteers

could oer transportation to the church by calling

the Rescue Alliance van for pick up. At the church, a

hospitality team welcomed the guest and oered a

meal, clothing, and care package. While the homeless

guest was eating, intake counselors from local service

providers spoke with them, explained program

options, and oered general assistance.

All in all, over 1300 volunteers engaged over 1200

homeless, with over 350 returning with them to the

anchor church. 103 people accepted the invitation

to begin a program or receive medical attention. The

camaraderie among the volunteers, especially among

the Rescue Alliance partners, has lead to exciting plans

for the future. As we work together in this continuum

of care, we are developing an eective model to

continue reaching out to and assisting many more

homeless New Yorkers.

ABOVE: Counselors meet with guests to discuss

program options and oer general assistance.

BELOW:Volunteers grab a quick dinner before

heading out to the streets, and volunteers receive

training before outreach.


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DONT WALK BY

OUTREACH STATISTICS

Upper West Midtown Lower Man. Upper East Harlem

January 3 January 10 January 17 January 24 January 31 Total

Engaged onStreets & Subways

171 409 228 237 195 1239

Came to church

for meal60 103 87 57 74 381

Transported

to program bed8 29 26 11 19 93

Transported

to Hospital3 1 2 3 9

Transported

to Detox1 0 0 0 1

Volunteers 160 220 338 280 351 1379

ANCHOR CHURCHES:

January 3 All Angels Church

January 10 Calvary Baptist Church

January 17 The Bowery Mission

& The Fathers Heart Ministries

January 24 Trinity Baptist Church

January 31 St. Andrews Episcopal Church

OUTREACH TIMELINE:

1:30 2:00 PM Team Captain Debrieng

2:00 2:30 PM Volunteer Registration

2:30 4:30 PM Volunteer Training

4:30 5:00 PM Meal for Volunteers

5:00 9:00 PM Street Outreach

6:00 9:00 PM Meal for Homeless

8:00 9:00 PM Team Debrieng/Evaluation


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A

ZONE A

= Bathroom

DONT WALK BY

SAMPLE ZONE MAP


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I felt like God was calling me in the way

of rescuing me from my past; calling me

home. I was looking for something to eat

and I saw the truck, and they asked meif I was hungry, and they made me feel

welcomed. They brought me to Trinity

and I felt warmth of love, and almost like

family warmthlike taking someone in for

the rst time. I talked to Sandy (Barnett)

and she asked me how long I had been

homeless and what Id like to do with my

lifeand I told her I liked to cook. She

started to tell me about the womens

center. Vivian walked up while I was eating

my meal. Vivian had warmth to her, and she

asked me if I was interested in coming. AndI said, Where do I sign up? So she did my

intake and she walked me to the womens

center, and here I am. Home at last. I felt

welcomed the moment I entered the doors

of The Bowery Mission Womens Center.

And I may never want to leave!

Tonya

Rescued by Dont Walk By

Grand Central Station

As one of the pastors at Trinity Baptist Church, it was a joy to participate in the recent Dont Walk By

campaign. As a host site I was proud that our building could serve as a training ground for so many

enthusiastic volunteers who willingly gave up their time (many traveling great distances) to meet

the needs of our homeless population here in New York City. Sometimes we need opportunities

and encouragement to put our faith in action. Many of the volunteers I met had never served in this

capacity before.

The Dont Walk By campaign served as a catalyst for raising up new volunteers and providing the

support and training necessary to step out of our comfort zones and literally be the hands and feet

of Jesus. After some training we combed the nearby streets for any homeless people who might be

in need of supplies, food or shelter. After the teams had dispersed and later returned to the church,

I was encouraged to see how many people had responded. The love not just from the volunteersto the homeless, but from the homeless to the volunteers was undeniable. It is always amazing to

see how love changes hearts. After sharing a warm cup of soup after coming out of the cold, I had a

wonderful conversation with a young man by the name of Mark who told me that he was moved by

the loving people and that he wanted me to pray with him to receive Christ as his savior. Together

with another volunteer we prayed for Mark and made sure that he had a safe place to stay for the

night. I havent heard from Mark since, but Im certain that he experienced the love of Jesus in an

undeniable way that night. Im looking forward to the next Dont Walk By!

James Leonard

Associate Pastor

Trinity Baptist Church

New York, NY

This is just another example of the tremendous

compassion New Yorkers have for their fellow

citizens in need, especially those in the

faith-based community. The Bowery Mission

galvanized hundreds of volunteers and gave

them the opportunity to give a hand up toindividuals experiencing street homelessness

by oering shelter and related services.

Commissioner Robert Hess

Department of Homeless Services

WHAT THEYRE SAYINGThe Dont Walk By outreach is

really about life saving.

Team Captain

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I had the pleasure of connecting three times during the

month of January 09 with Dont Walk By, and Im convinced

it was worth every eort for me, my family and my church

family! First, I was reminded of the Fathers heart for the

down and outcast of our society. A new sensitivity toward

the homeless was revived in me! Second, I watched God do

a new work of cultivated compassion in my four daughters

lives. My oldest (20) is now at Moody Bible Institute and

without any prodding from me, found a network of students

at her school and Wheaton College that are doing serious

ministry with the homeless of Chicago! In fact, Jenna believesthat God has reshaped her ministry calling for compassion

ministry through her experience on the rst week in January

at DWB. My other girls each could tell their own story of

how God grabbed their hearts through touching the lives

of those in need. Third, I witnessed about 20 from our

congregation engage in meaningful Matthew 25 ministry

over the ve weekends. Again, each has stories of Gods

intervention and grace to tell. The impact was deep that

month, and laid a foundation for what I know will inuence

our thinking and actual practical ministry until Jesus returns.

Thanks to all who made the DWB network and ministryopportunity possible. I cant wait to see what is next!

Rev. Timothy J. Mercaldo

Associate Pastor

Church At The Gateway

Staten Island, NYThe people that I met

were once someones

father, brother, uncle,

mother, daughter, sister.

It was wonderful to see

smiles brought back to

faces that were oncehardened and helping

hands extended to those

in need. The compassion

I witnessed makes me all

the more willing to say:

Here I am, send me.

Anitha, resident of

The Bowery Mission

Womens Center

The excitement of

searching the streets for

those in need exhilarating

in itself, but the fact that

this outreach really trains

the mind to LOOK and

SEE people around you

who are hurting and in

need and trains you to

stop and Dont Walk By.

Volunteer

Walking by the homeless is an unavoidable and dispiriting

feature of New York life. In its Dont Walk By program, the BoweryMission sends volunteers to do what we wish we could do 365

days a yearstop and talk to homeless men and women, take

them to a warm place where they can eat a good meal, and

oer them the opportunity to get o the streets and into a

safe shelter. Each of these men and womenbeaten down by

addiction or mental illness or a grinding life out on the streets

is a testament to the glory of God. Dont Walk By treats them as

such, in a model of Christian charity in action. It was an honor

and blessing to be part of it.

Rich Lowry,

Editor of National Review

The Dont Walk By campaign

played a catalyzing role in uniting

our church around the mission of

God to care for the poor here in our

own city. The campaign opened our

eyes to see needs all around us, and

inspired us to follow Jesus by loving

people we too often overlook.

Jon Tyson

Lead Pastor

Trinity Grace Church

New York, NY

The Dont Walk By training provided

excellent practical tips, but much of

the time was also spent discussing

why were doing this, Gods heart

for the downtrodden, and speaking

about the Body coming together for

such a reason.Volunteer

I see the homeless as no longer

contagious.

Becki, resident of

The Bowery Mission

Womens Center


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WORLD MAGAZINE: HELPING THE HOMELESS

by ALISA HARRIS

Diamond Jones helps the homeless because she used to be one of them. Coming to New York from Virginia

in her 20s, she lost her housing when she went home to a notice that the apartment was evicting the

woman to whom she was paying the rent. In two months she went from staying in the upscale Warwick

Hotel, to staying at a roach-ridden hotel with no lock on the door and one bathroom per oor, to sleeping in

subway cars and hotel lobbies. Not to be all spooky-spooky, but nothing but the grace of God brought me

out of it, she says.

So now she volunteers to help other New York City homelessmost recently with the New York City Rescue

Alliances ve-week eort to engage the homeless on every street in Manhattan. New York may have its

share of needy people, but it also has its share of people who are willing to meet the needs of others. For

example, Id like to share with you the stories of the New York City Relief bus and the New York City Rescue

Alliance.

The bus is a mobile soup kitchen that starts its day at the Hope Center in Elizabeth, New Jersey, where

volunteers cook soup in vats large enough to drown in and then drive in to New York to serve it. On January

23 they parked on Ninth Avenue and 28th Street, next to Chelsea Park; opened up one side of their creaky

bus, transforming it into a serving station; stirred hot chocolate with a giant metal paddle; and started to

serve the people who already were there waiting for them.

The sta knew the regulars by name. Some of them seemed on their way to work but seemed to have

nowhere else they needed to be. So they leaned against the park fence, drinking their hot chocolate, eating

their rolls and soup, and coming back for seconds or thirds.

The sta comes from around the world to serve soup and help the homeless nd stability and faith. Anne

Teppo is Flemishan English teacher who comes from what she calls a good girl background and reads

the Bible to volunteers in a chirpy accent. She stayed with NYCR sta when she was traveling the globe and

then decided to move across the Atlantic to work for NYCR. Eric Porter, who was an intern at Walt Disney

and now lives in New Jersey, said, I knew I wasnt happy doing what I was doing in Florida, and I knew I

was called to serve the poor. Austin Bonds, the director of relief bus outreach, came from a life of drug and

alcohol addiction.

Bonds helped a guy named Mike, whom he rst found in the park clutching a bottle. Bonds said Mike toldhim, Man, Im drinking. I need to change. I just looked at him and said, Todays the day. Now Mike has

been clean for 60 days and comes from Queens to Manhattan for his outpatient programs six days a week.

Austin said a week earlier Mike told him he was going to give his life to Christ one day: I said, Todays the

day for that. Mike told me his next goal was to stay clean and get a job: I believe in Jesus. I believe my life is

going to get better. I have faith.

The New York City Rescue Alliances Dont Walk By campaign unites New York City homeless ministries in

a ve-week outreach to homeless people in Manhattan. They divided borough into ve zones and divided

each zone into sub-zones. Team captains led 1,379 total volunteers down the streets, engaging 1,279

homeless people in all, bringing 381 to a church for food and to tell them about the long-term programs

oered by ministries like the Bowery Mission.

Amy Stabeno works with the city government to help the homeless each day, but she nds the faith-

based outreach more personal and intimate. In bureaucratic organizations, when theres nothing personal

it becomes numbers and meeting goalsand those things dont always necessarily really help the

population that youre trying to serve, she said. Whereas when you know them and love them, theyre

much more likely to really be helped than if theyre another number on a sheet.

Team leader and Street Light Mission Chairman Paul Yuschak told me the goal is not just to help the

homeless: While were out to meet the homeless and to help somebody in need, its also to get the

volunteers awareness that there is this issue, and get them red up so maybe theyll go home to their

churches and do something and get involved in other organizations. . . . It s to also instill in them that God

wants them to do something.

Article reprinted from: http://online.worldmag.com/2009/02/07/ny-journal-helping-the-homeless/10T

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DEAR VOLUNTEERS,

On behalf of The Rescue Alliance, New York City, we want to thank you for your support of the Dont Walk

By Campaign; we touched more than 1,200 lives on the streets of New York. It was because of you the

homeless were fed, and this outreach brought a true revolution of hope.

It was amazing to see the Body of Christ throughout the city come together to seek out and serve those who

suer on the streets. Volunteers from more than 200 churches linked arms to make this campaign a true

success. The 1,400 volunteers that were trained and mobilized through the Dont Walk By campaign were

phenomenal because they put Christs command to serve the least of these (Matthew 25:34-40) into action.

Our partners: The Bowery Mission, The Relief Bus, New York City Rescue Mission, Streetlight Mission and

Street LIFE Ministries are very grateful for your churchs generosity to host this outreach. These are resources

and ways for you to volunteer with homeless outreaches. Please stay posted on our website:

www.dontwalkby.org. We will be posting new items, resources, and updated calendar information about

future campaigns with The Rescue Alliance in the very near future.

HOMELESS OUTREACH RESOURCES

HERE ARE FIVE WAYS TOGET INVOLVEDAS WE PREPARE

FOR THE NEXT PHASE

OF RESCUE ALLIANCE:

THE BOWERY MISSION &

KIDS WITH A PROMISE

Website: www.bowery.org

Email: info@ bowery.org

Phone: (212) 684-2800

THE RELIEF BUS

Website: www.reliefbus.org

E-mail: [email protected]

Phone: (800) 736-2773

STREET LIFE MINISTRIES

Website: www.StreetLife.org

Email: [email protected]

Phone: (718) 539-2324

STREETLIGHT MISSION

Website: www.streetlightmission.org

Email: [email protected]

Phone: (908) 337-0137

NEW YORK CITY RESCUE MISSION

Website: www.nycrescue.org

Phone: (212) 226-6214


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THANK YOU

FROM THE RESCUE ALLIANCE, NEW YORK CITY

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Don't Walk By 2009 Final Report

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