The story of Transitions Ministry first started in late 2015, when we began to explore where we could fill a void in the poverty of our city. We reached out to different agencies serving people who are seeking assistance and found the one place which agencies could not get help with was in the area of home goods. They were able to get furniture for those with whom they helped find a new home after being in shelters or living unsheltered, but no bedding, towels, pillows or kitchen items. We knew this was the void the Lord was calling us to fill as a church!
Joining together with a campaign we called "The Good Life" we invited the church to collect new home goods for those transitioning from homelessness to housing. The outpouring of generosity was and is truly amazing!
As we began to develop a system and connect with agencies who work with our friends in the homeless community the referrals began to pour in. We now work with 50 agencies.
We always hear how thankful the caseworkers and the people we serve are for the new items they receive!
From the very beginning of the Transitions Ministry we' ve had an incredible team of volunteers who sort, inventory, and gather sets together to be distributed. Except for Pastor Diane, Transitions is completely volunteer run.
Here are some statistics:
- Since the summer of 2016 we have received 1,333 referrals from various agencies
- 214 Veteran referrals served
- 273 Refugee families served
- 146 Families from the Y Family Shelter
- 66 Teens from Star House
- 634 others from various other agencies
- Provided more than $300,000 in home goods to families and singles
For the past 6 months we have not processed many referrals due to COVID restrictions but have continued to serve our Veterans. We are looking forward to reopening the ministry and serving folks moving from homelessness to housing!
Here’s How YOU can help us get opened back up!
One of the agencies we currently partner with, Southeast Healthcare Services, has the honor of assisting 62 clients, coming from various shelters and some unsheltered, to move into "Parsons Place"* a newly built apartment complex on Barthman Ave the week of Thanksgiving.
Southeast reached out to Vineyard and ask if we could help at all with any of the household items they need.
The wonderful news for the people moving into their new apartments is everything is new – new bed, new kitchen set, new living room furniture. The only thing missing is the new home goods!
We want to be a church which serves "Beyond the Building". We said YES to supplying:
- 62 sets of full sheets, comforters, and pillows (must be new and only be full size)
- 62 sets of bath towels, hand towels, and wash cloths
- 62 sets of personal care items, toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, and soap
You can enlist the help of your small group or family by making it a project or purchase items on your own!
The items can be dropped off at the MIDWEEK services at any campus every Wednesday between 6:30 – 7:30 pm.
The items are needed by November 18th. What an incredible way to show our thanks for all He has done for us!
We will continue to serve Transitions referrals going forward. Items collected over and above what is needed for Parsons Place will be held in inventory for the many others we continue to serve.
*Parsons Place will offer safe, permanent, supportive housing to individuals who struggle with homelessness, mental illness, and substance abuse. Community Housing Network, the developer and property manager of Parsons Place, has provided housing with specialized property management and supportive services to people with disabilities.
