Visit us at www.hopeforlouisville.com .
WHAT IS HOPE?
HOPE is a radical opportunity for young Christians to serve the homeless.
By living and working in a homeless shelter, HOPE team members effectively impact the lives of homeless men and women by investing in intimate relationships, sharing the gospel, and giving consistent support to those most in need. Living out Christ's command to “Love the Lord your God, and love your neighbor as yourself.â€, HOPE is ideal for young men and women who have a passion for the gospel and compassion for their fellow man. HOPE offers 3 month summer terms and 1 year full terms.
HOPE is designed for men and women between the ages of 18 and 29. Each year, men and women will serve and live among the homeless and recovering homeless of JSBC.
Go HERE for more information.
WHAT WOULD I DO DURING HOPE?
The broad view is that you would “Love God†and “Love peopleâ€, but here are some of the nuts and bolts:
SERVE THE HOMELESS: Spend 30-35 hours a week engaged in direct service to JBSC. This may include helping operate the day shelter, writing grants, organizing volunteers, sitting with guests and residents sharing your faith story, etc.
SPEND TIME WITH YOUR NEIGHBORS: Spend 5-10 hours a week in outreach visitation meeting your JBSC neighbors, community neighbors, JSBC day shelter guests, sharing your faith, leading a bible study, going bowling or on walks, and offering to help in a variety of ways.
SPEND TIME WITH GOD & YOUR TEAM: Spend 10-15 hours a week in personal and team development. This includes time for personal devotions, prayer meetings, meals together, weekly days off, assigned readings and team group discussions.
BE INVOLVED WITH A LOCAL CHURCH: Spend about 5-10 hours a week being actively involved with a local church.
OTHER STUFF: Spend 2-3 hours per week taking care of administrative tasks such as weekly reports and curriculum evaluation, preparing and writing personal monthly fund-raising letters. You will also spend a few hours per week as necessary on household chores like grocery shopping, cleaning and cooking.
WHO CAN DO HOPE?
HOPE is for men and women 18-29 years old who possess exemplary Christian character demonstrating a passion for ministry and an authentic personal relationship with God, growing and developing the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23)
WOULD I BE ALL ALONE DOING THIS?
Missionaries will be part of a 6 person team living and working together with the support and guidance from their director, a local church body, and their team mates. Team members will be assigned to a local church for the year where they will serve and establish meaningful relationships.
WHAT IS JEFFERSON STREET BAPTIST CENTER?
JSBC stands for Jefferson Street Baptist Center. JSBC is a unique homeless ministry serving the homeless of Louisville through 3 avenues. You can visit JSBC's website at http://jeffersonstreetbaptistcenter.org .
DAY SHELTER
The day shelter is open 7 days a week and provides the homeless of Louisville with an opportunity to be indoors, have something to eat, do laundry, store their belongings, have an address where they can receive mail or use to apply for a job, and attend a weekly worship service.
TRANSITIONAL HOUSING
The transitional housing at Jeff Street, known as FRESH START, is for dually diagnosed homeless men. These men have been diagnosed with both mental illness and substance addiction. This housing provides the men with the opportunity to get off the streets, receive treatment for their substance abuse and pairs them with local health care facilities to treat their mental illness when possible. The men also learn life skills to eventually move back out of the shelter and live on their own when possible. Some of the men have lived there for 5 years or more.
PERMANENT HOUSING
Several men who were previously in the Transitional Housing have moved into the Permanent Housing. These dually diagnosed men have shown themselves to be willing to work for their stability and now have daily meetings with a Jeff St. counselor who coaches them in their life skills - ranging from dealing with emotions, to paying bills, to exploring their faith, to shopping for groceries, etc. These men pay rent and their apartments are their own.
WHEN DOES HOPE START?
Summer Session: May 21st, 2007 - August 18th, 2007
Full Year Session: August 21st, 2007 - July 22nd, 2008
