Soul Care and Social Artistry
We, as a society, as neighbors, as service providers, as a church and as kin, must ascribe to the people we are attempting to “serve” the same kinds of complexities, nuances, kindnesses and curiosity that we ascribe and acknowledge within ourselves.
For what I’ve learned is, in this world world of charity mostly orchestrated by systematic responses, is that people experiencing homelessness are constantly given a negative answer to really the most important personal questions upon which their mental health depends: Who am I? What am I?
These questions can’t be answered by professionalized care, for they have to do with a sense of belonging, of counting, and of meaning-making.
Without this acknowledgement, our attempts to provide care for our unhoused neighbors perpetuate the negative narrative(s) of which they must survive in their daily existence, thus creating more of a cavern than a bridge to wholeness.
The particularity of each person, their individual attempts to make meaning and find relief, will be my guide (our guide) as Sacred Streets tends to the “soul” of the individual and addresses the “soul” of our society.
This, my friends, is the good hard work of which we are called if we desire to love and witness our unhoused neighbors and our greater communities flourish.
Models of Care
SHE CLINIC
When it comes to health- you have to address the social death and isolation of the precious human being in tandem with the ”treatment” or access to social services. It cannot be one without the other.
I firmly believe that the overall health of every individual is dependent upon their belonging in our society.
AURORA COMMONS
Aurora Commons is a welcoming space for our unhoused neighbors to rest, prepare a meal, connect to resources and collectively create a healthy and vibrant community. We seek to be a space for authenticity and conversation, to bring the wider community to the table to learn from one another, to be transformed by one another, and to embrace one another.
We dive into the messiness of what the day brings, we make food, share the table, grieve with one another and celebrate together. The Commons' desire is to be a space where hope overrides fear, where community interrupts isolation, and dignity is offered to all.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=10&v=xRx_3Dfj4VI&feature=emb_logo
GREEN BEAN COFFEEHOUSE
A non-profit approach to coffee and community.