The River Church Community

In the past few weeks, I have been meeting with pastors and leaders in non-profits downtown at the ministry center.  One of the primary accomplishments of these meetings is the possibility of creating a rotating downtown shelter for the winter.  Specifically, we, the larger San Jose church community, are going to host a two-week “beta-test” shelter in downtown San Jose in late January!!!!  This is a huge step!!!  It would hold between 15-30 people.  Moreover, Sacred Heart, EHC and Innvision are willing and able to train volunteers!  I am working with Sacred Heart to even have a training before the “beta-version.”  God is at work…

We are also beginning to create an eco-system map of homeless services and programs available in the downtown area.  First, we need to gather information.  Second, we need to create a web interface that allows church members and non-profits to easily and effectively sort these services based upon the homeless person they are trying to serve.  This would allow a huge network of people to more easily be able to serve the homeless.  It would also be the first ecosystem map of the downtown area which we could eventually expand to include other services from immigration to education.  It is an enormous need that we have the skills to address.  

Lastly, we are trying to create a small locker system at the ministry center for homeless people within our congregation.  We are currently trying to find people to staff it—essentially just be good friends to our homeless friends.

Pastor Tony