Welcome Hosted by BPC Missions Committee May 17, 2020 Laura Cootsona, Executive Director, Jesus Center
God and the Poor Proverbs 14:31 NIV Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God. What do we know about God’s love for the poor from the Bible? How is God reaching out? What does it show us about God’s heart? What do we learn from Jesus’ example?
Homelessness in Chico:: Challenges and Solutions
California Homelessness 25 % of national homelessness 134,000 out of 550,000 This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA
Butte County Homelessness 2,304 :: Countywide sheltered, unsheltered and FEMA housed homeless adults and children • 891 unsheltered • 420 sheltered • 993 people sheltered with FEMA support • Undercounted families, children, youth (source: BCOE/CUSD) 16% increase from 2017 (1,983) 389 Unsheltered were in Chico
Why are there so many? Internal External • Joblessness • Housing unaffordability • Health Crisis • Prison Reform • Family Crisis Trauma • Natural disaster Mental Health Addiction
The Jesus Center is a non-profit organization founded in God’s love. In response to the complexity of homelessness, hunger and poverty, we work with our community to offer respite, restoration and lasting transformation to God’s children.
Jesus Center Current Programs • Twice daily meals, breakfast Sunday • Resource Center • Case management • showers, mail, many visiting agencies • Free store • Housing Program • Vocational Training: • Flowers, Farm, Kitchen etc
Stages of Change
Community Homeless Service Flow proposed Sober/recovery Shelter Program: Jesus Center Renewal Center:: Single Point Transitional Permanent Outreach/Referr of Entry; Housing, als from other Supportive Resource agencies/211/Pr Esplanade, Housing/RRH/Shared Center; Day Special Population oject Roomkey CHAT, Jesus Center; housing: Jamboree, Shelter: Renewal meals; Center, Center CHIP, NVCSS, BCBH, vocational Torres Caminar Shelter Low Barrier Shelter: Torres Shelter & Safe Space Winter Shelter
Community-wide Signs of Coordination • Primary shelter became 24/7, low barrier in 2019 • New Family shelter opened in August • Mobile Medical Unit; Medical Respite • Jamboree Housing :: Buying 1297 Park Ave. Property for Affordable Housing • HHOME :: County taking over Lead Applicant, Lead Agency, HMIS • Service Card • Moving from Pilot to implementation on Coordinated Entry • Elijah House entering into Chico
The Renewal Center • Located on Fair Street: BIG NEWS • Relocation of the Jesus Center • Expansion of services • Co-location of multiple services in one spot
Renewal Center Next Steps • Finalize Site Plan: programs, operational strategy • Fundraising • Entitlements and site readiness • Work with neighbors re. concerns • Timeline • Close escrow: Summer 2020 • Finalize programming: Summer 2020 • Begin Move: January 2021 • Leave Park Ave/full move: April 2021
Reflection 1 John 3:17 NIV If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? • Review the various ways you and your church is currently engaged in outreach/ministry to serve the poor. • Reflect on how this work connects to your church’s primary mission
How to engage? • Take a Class • Adopt a house • Make a donation :: operations or Renewal Center • Volunteer Training • Farm: volunteer; CSA www.jesuscenter.org 530.345.2640
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