John Tumino

Today Kat and I were on special assignment looking for two friends that were no longer staying at their usual homeless encampment. We heard they were run out because of an altercation with another homeless individual. Living outdoors with others can be challenging especially when there is drug addiction and mental health concerns with others. For their safety they made a decision to relocate which for outreach workers can be challenging because now we have to find them all over again. Kat and I drove all around town looking for them and just when we were about to call it a day we found them. We were able to love them listen to the story of what happened and encourage them to do housing paperwork, they AGREED. They jumped in the Van for the intake were we were able to share our story with them of why we do this and how much we cared for them. It was a very touching emotional time with tears of sadness and joy flowing. Next step getting connected to Onondaga County Social Services for food stamps and Temporary assistance. They both shared a true willingness to deal with their challenges and we let them know we would be with them through the whole process. Its all about Relationship Building were TRUST can be established. They keep saying to us your awesome, amazing and they couldn’t believe we would do this for them. I told them both about ALL of YOU who support our Mission and that we ALL believe in them. Thank you so much for all your support and prayers. Today was a great MIRACLE to be able to find them so quickly.

John and Leigh Ann

Today we came across some very hurt and broken individuals who were suffering from very serious addiction issues. From a young man with a cut foot that we were able to clean dress and bandage to a young man staying under a bridge. Both Men are caught in the trap of Heroine and are struggling. We offered assistance and guidance in both scenarios and both men refused the hand up. Our mission at IMFK is not to judge but to continue to show love and compassion to our friends so that when they are ready to make a move out they will accept our hands that will be there waiting for them. We believe Love never fails and we will continue to come out to our friends with a NO STRINGS approach. We do not not someones surrender moment we just want to be standing there when they say I SURRENDER.

We received a Message from a Homeless friend who said he was now living in a campsite in the woods. He informed us of the location and during street outreach we went searching. It was about a 1/4 to 1/2 mile hike to the site, when we arrived he was no were to be found. We left a message as well as food and supplies with our phone number. When you come across these types of living situations it becomes heavy on the heart, you start to think about lonely nights in the woods but also a concern for someones safety! If something were to happen there is no one around to help. We will continue to visit this site and hope to see our friend soon and be able to get him out of this situation. Thank you for your continued support of our work together we are Building Hope and Changing Lives,
John and Leigh Ann

Today’s Meatball Sandwiches lead us to assist a Friend that was stuck and in need. While doing Street Outreach we came across a friend who was in a bad spot not knowing that his personal physical safety was in jeopardy. Addiction is Real outdoors and there are times that after using that  you are not aware of your surroundings. This was that instance, our friend was in the middle of a Dunkin Donuts driveway nodding out from Heroine an clueless that he was there. We quickly pulled in Kevin jumped out to talk with him gave him a lunch and asked if we could get him somewhere safe. He refused any assistance anywhere received the lunch with appreciation and said he was OK. The hardest part of what we do is seeing someone in their full blown brokenness knowing they are vulnerable and then hearing them say they are OK, knowing that they are not! The struggle for our friends is real and the challenge to help can become frustrating. We realize that you cant force someone to change but by loving our fiends consistently over time establishes trust were we believe when their surrender moment happens they will reach out to us. The scary part about leaving a situation like today is knowing there might not be a tomorrow with serious addictions. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers and thank you so much for your Support.

John and Leigh Ann

What a Great Day today assisting our 197th Friend indoors. We met Ally 5 years ago and have seen her go up and down the emotional homeless roller coaster of life. Well today the homeless ride has come to and end and she is safely indoors with her dog Benji. Its amazing to me that over the last 9 years we have been able to house 197 friends by collaborating with our wonderful Housing and Homeless Coalition of CNY. Collaboration with Ally was the key to assisting our friend, from Doc Lehmann treating her on the streets to the County of Onondagas partnership with our Hire Ground Program. Ally has been connected to a Housing Provider in our Community who made a way for her to get indoors. The other Huge piece for IMFK is YOU our supporters who pray for us as well as financially support the work that we are doing. All these moving parts allow us to serve our friends with Dignity bringing Value to someone who feels Invisible. Ally is not Invisible and here she is safe and indoors. On behalf of all our friends outdoors we say THANK YOU!

John and Leigh Ann