INTRODUCTION
Homeless youth, in the region of Collin County, Texas, remain
unseen to most churchgoers. From 1.8 to 2.1 million youth are estimated to be
homeless nation wide, and this number is most likely increasing daily.[1] The numbers of homeless in
this region are undetermined. The transient lifestyle and
tendency to distrust public agencies, makes it impossible to even give an
accurate estimate of their numbers, much less ascertain their various needs.[2]
Most youth did not choose
homelessness; they were shoved into it, either by their parent’s force, or as a
result of abusive circumstances.[3] Typically,
the deterioration or complete destruction of a personal relationship, rather
than mere economic deficiencies, propels young people into homelessness.
Rarely, do teenagers or young adults turn to the church for assistance during
these types of conflicts. The traditional view of the church as being more
judgmental and condemning leads young people to associate the religious
institution with the authority figures from whom they are already rebelling.[4]
CHAPTER 2
THE NEED
Homelessness represents the depravation of a basic human need. Other
types of deprivations, like hunger, typically are the result of poverty and
other economic uncertainties, but factors that contribute to homelessness are
multi-faceted. The factors also vary by the type of homelessness experienced by
young people. These factors include lack of affordable housing, economic instability,
violence at home, behavioral health, and lack of support from the local church.[5]
In a research project conducted by Nell Bernstien and Lisa Foster
called Survey of Homeless Youth, the
needs of these unseen young people is clearly established. Homeless youth have
to deal both with their own sense of vulnerability and victimization. They are
generally perceived by the public, law enforcement, and even churchgoers as a
potential threat or menace, rather than as children in need of protection
themselves.[6]
Thirty percent of youth surveyed had spent the previous night
outdoors, on the street, or in a car or vacant building. Twenty-eight percent
had been “couch surfing” at a friend’s house, ten percent were living in
transitional housing, and eight percent had spent the previous night at a
shelter.
Close to 90 percent said
they wanted to change their housing situation but simply did not know how.[7]
Almost ten percent of the youth on the street report that there
was nothing good or positive in their lives. In contrast, close to 30 percent
cited friendships and children as being positive, while twenty-five percent
cited some element of their own internal strength and ability. Another quarter
said having a job or being in school was a positive factor in their lives. Very few referred to God, the church, or
spiritually as being a positive influence in their lives.[8]
More than 20 percent of the homeless youth had regular employment
and 18 percent reported income from temporary or odd jobs. Just over 20 percent
brought in money by panhandling; the same percentage received income from
public programs such as SSI, food stamps, or general assistance. Fifteen
percent received funds from family or friends. Eight percent got money by
stealing or robbing, seven percent sold drugs, and five percent by
prostitution. Other means of generating income included selling plasma,
pimping, and making and selling things.[9]
Respondents reported that other’s perception of them was mostly
negative. They used terms such as, “lazy, bad kid, troublemaker, bum, lowlife,
scumbag, junkie, gangbanger, filthy scum, lowest of the low, worthless, and
whore.” Only six percent said others had a positive perception of them.[10] Where to homeless youth go for help? Close
to 45 percent of respondents looked to friends for support, 28 percent cited a
family member-generally a mother, 15 percent named a boyfriend or girlfriend, 13
percent named a formal service provider among their top three sources of support.
One-third said they depend on themselves and five percent said they had no one.
Only 12 percent of those surveyed reported that they received help from God or
a church.[11]
CHAPTER 3
THE MISSION
Young people want and need help to meet these most basic of
needs. Instead of being criminalized for
their efforts to survive, then need training, support, and the good news of
Jesus Christ. They would also like to see programs and initiatives that would
do more than simply meet those basic needs, but also help them move towards
independence and stability. This is not
a problem that can be remedied over night, however something can and should be
done.
Due to these factors and many more, this researcher is partnering
with gifted individuals within the state to reach these unseen youth. A project
called “The Tree House Ministry” in conjunction with an existing church named
“Church Under The Tree,” is being established to begin the process of
developing the resources and provide needed housing for homeless youth in the
Collin County area.
The Tree
House is designed to rescue those
without hope, and help them find it in our Lord Jesus Christ. The ministry consists of a housing and
mentoring program to help young people between the ages of eighteen and
twenty-eight. The program is designed to disciple them in the truth of Jesus
Christ and help fold them back into society as productive citizens and followers
of Christ. This is accomplished through discipleship, job training, life
training, counseling, and addiction recovery.
Below is a list of the vital components that are
being developed within The Tree House
Ministry. These components give us the tools to help those that will be
involved in this discipleship program.
Addiction
Recovery
The program established at Saddleback Church in
California called “Celebrate Recovery”
will be used as major component of the addiction recovery process for the
residents. The participants attend the ministry’s twelve-step program to seek
genuine recovery through Jesus. This ministry is described as being similar to those of other twelve-step
programs; however, one difference is in their spiritual focus and unapologetic
Christ-centered teachings. The teaching stresses that there is no one other
than Christ who can bring true healing and full recovery. Another distinction
is that Celebrate Recovery does not
require participants to conform to one single purpose declaration; so a member
does not have to be an alcoholic, addict, or gambler. You may attend with the
goal “to work the steps for healing with any number of hurts, hang-ups or
habits.” [12]
Work Program
A work program is being developed and should be
up and running within the next few months. This program will provide the
residents with a stable environment, teaching them the attributes of healthy work
habits and the value of good job skills. This program will consist of job
training seminars, resume development, interview skill enhancement, and on site
work experience with participating employers. Such training is essential to
development and mentoring process.[13]
Personal
Development
Developing the mind, body, and soul is the
purpose of this stage in the mentoring program.
For the mind, the ministry will provide college prep and GED services to
participants that desire to go to further their education. For the body, an
average morning will consist of a one hour physical fitness program where each
participant does some type of workout or physically exertion to promote good
heath. Most importantly, for the soul, the spiritual development will take
priority in various ways.
First, all participants are required to attend
a Sunday church service. Secondly,
following the morning work out, the residents will be taught from scripture by
the onsite pastor/mentor for one hour. This study is intended to teach the
participants Godly attributes, disciplines, and character traits. Finally,
every resident will be held accountable for keeping a regular journal, daily
log of activities, and personal time of prayer and bible study. Participants will meet one on one with their
mentor to ensure these disciplines and evaluate their progress throughout the
entire program.
CHAPTER 4
CONCLUSION
While the needs are vast
every effort to reach these unseen youth makes a huge difference. With the purpose of fulfilling the call of Christ to be advocates
for the “least of these” (Matthew 25:40, 45) this
researcher has proposed that the local church in conjunction with established
ministries and social organizations strive to coordinate efforts to effectively
reach homeless youth. A practical
mentoring and housing ministry is currently being established in Collin County
to help in the process of meeting this seemingly insurmountable need. Through
the intentional training of leaders and teachers to minister to these groups, will
be the fulfilling of the biblical mandate, while also having the efficacious
impact of making the programs spiritually distinctive.
Who are the “least of these” among us that should be at the heart of this program if not the
homeless youth in our own backyard? From reading and understanding Scripture,
there are identified at least four groups—whose categories at times may
overlap—who are in particular need of the services of the future ministers whom
will be trained and equipped in this programs: 1) youth with disabilities or
special needs; 2) youth who have been subjugated, abused, or marginalized
because of their ethnicity, gender, or social status; 3) youth who are
economically disadvantaged due to their birth or unfortunate class situation in
life; and 4) youth who are fleeing oppressive homes, or are victims of abuse or
neglect.
Again and again, Scripture calls followers of Christ to defend
the rights of others (Psalm 82:3; Proverbs 31:9); to seek justice, support the
oppressed, defend the helpless (Isaiah 1:17); to save the children (Psalm
72:4); to rescue the weak and needy and deliver them from evil (Ps 82: 4); to
maintain justice and do what is right (Is 56:1); to encourage the needy
(Proverbs 14:31); to preach the gospel to the poor, heal the brokenhearted,
proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners
(Is 61:1).
As churches headed by Christ, our charge is to be about the work
of Him who guides us in all these truths. Do we equip disciples with a goal of
reaching out to the “least of these,” or do we merely enable them to continue
in their selfish pursuits? Curt Young, in his book The Least of These, reminds us of our inheritance when we do the
right thing for the sake of those in the greatest of need: “God promises
intimate communion with those who ‘loose the bonds of wickedness’ and ‘let the
oppressed go free.’”[14]
[1]Martha R. Burt, Understanding Homeless Youth:
Numbers, Characteristics, Multisystem Involvement, and Intervention Options,
Testimony given before the U.S. House Committee on Ways and Means, Subcommittee
on Income Security and Family Support, June 19, 2007.
[2]Collin County Online, “An Interactive Source
for Understanding Collin, TX Demographic Updates,” web page; available from
http://www.ecanned.com/TX/Collin_County.shtml; Internet; accessed 08 April
2011.
[3]National Coalition for the Homeless and National
Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty, A Dream Denied: The Criminalization
of Homelessness in U.S. Cities (Washington, DC: National Coalition and
National Law Center, January 2006) 5.
[4]Josh McDowell and Bob Hostetler, Handbook on Counseling Youth (Nashville:
Thomas Nelson, 1996), 13.
[5]Yumiko Aratani, Homeless Children and Youth: Causes and Consequences, National Center
for Children in Poverty (Columbia University, 2009), pg. 4
[6]Nell Bernstein and Lisa Foster, A Survey of Homeless by Their Peers,
California Research Bureau (Sacramento: California State Library, March
2008) 28.
[7]Ibid. 31
[9]Ibid, 47.
[10]Ibid, 51.
[12]Celebrate Recovery, web page; available from http://www.celebraterecovery.com;
Internet; accessed 05 April 20011.
[13]U.S. Department of Education, 2004, in National
Coalition for the Homeless, Education of Homeless Children and Youth, p.
1.
