Word On The Street

IMFK’s Day Labor Program Hire Ground in partnership with Onondaga County and the City of Syracuse is all about Giving folks experiencing homelessness a Hand Up not a Hand Out. Its all about Dignity through work and learning more about the story behind the cardboard sign. Last week we were able to connect with the landbank and assist in a clean out of an abandoned house (zombie house). Many times our homeless friends find places like this to sleep in at night but on this day they were all part of an effort to turn this property around so that they can be rehabilitated back to the tax roles. We see the parallel as our crews clean these places that are not meant for human habitation up so that they may be restored, just as we assist are friends who are broken, addicted and suffering from mental health to a place of restoration. While seeing our crew work together to clean out his house I was reminded of the Quote from the movie Collateral Beauty “Just make sure you notice the collateral beauty”. We see it often that beauty can rise form the ashes and as Paulette (care-manager) and Kevin (operations coordinator) work along side our crew members great conversations take place that we believe will lead to true transformation. Our crews will continue to beautify our great community and we are believing that they are sowing seeds of change into their own lives. Thank you for all your support, on behalf of all those who Feel Invisible we say thank you.

John and Leigh Ann

We met our friend Steve in June of 2017 we call it first contact. From there the journey of building a relationship starts were we Hope that Trust can be established. Over the last 30 month we experience ups and downs like any relationship that is starting to be established. We visited Steve under bridges in tents that were in the woods, we even connected him to Dr, Lehmann who does house calls for the homeless to take care of some health concerns. Steve was able to work on our Hire Ground work crew were he was shown dignity for the day while working instead of Holding a Cardboard sign. During this time we were able to do all housing paper work and refered him to a housing list were he was matched with a provider that could house him. Well we are excited to say that Steve was housed in early December, we were able to suppliment some items for his apartment like this flat screen TV that was donated by a wonderful Sous Chef (supporter) of IMFK. We were able to provide him a weeks worth of groceries that were donated by Abundant Life Christian Centers Food Pantry. The awesomeness of not just getting Steve indoors but seeing everyone step up to support our Mission goes beyond words. Through the process we were able to meet Steves Dad when he first got in and his Mom (pictured here) when we dropped of the TV. Over 200 friends indoors since 2011 and it could not happen with out your support and all the collaboration that is done through our Homeless Coalition, thank you

John and Leigh Ann

Its Been a long Journey with many winding turns but there is light now shinning at the end of this tunnel. We met Ken (K-Dog) back in March of 2015 standing on a Corner by Destiny USA. Our relationship started with a lunch, clothing and a kind word. Over the last 5 years we have encouraged K-Dog to pursue better choices regarding his addiction and his homelessness. Two years ago we were able to assist him with a plane ticket to Florida to see his father who was sick and hospitalized. We wanted to show K-Dog that we truly cared about him and that we were willing to do whatever it took to have him see that he could trust us. Last year we were able to have him participate on our Hire Ground Van to show him dignity through work. While working on the Van our care managers continually encouraged him to make some better choices and that we would be with him through any process. Last year while working on the van we new that it was his birthday so we surprised him with a cake and a happy birthday song, he was so moved and excited that we remembered. Well Four weeks ago he approached our team to say that he was ready for change we stepped into action made the calls and got hime connected to Helio Health. He completed a 28 day program and is now living at a half way house working the outpatient program. K-Dog stopped by yesterday to say heloo and to thank us for all we have done for him. The process is in motion and we are so pround of the foot work that K-Dog has put in for his continued success. We hugged hima nd let him know that we are continually there for him till the very end. This is what its all about, Relationships minimize Risk. Together Sous Chefs we are Building Hope and Changing Lives. We do not know anyones surrender moment all we want to do is be there when they say IM READY!

Today we were able to check on a new friend via a 211 call as well as a referal from SPD. Kat, JD and myself packed up a goody bag for him and went on the search. We arrived on the scene approached our friend, intoduced myself to hime an explained what we were all about. Our friend was not very open to discussion, I left the goody bag and let him know he was not Invisible and that I would see him again. First contact is important and now the hard work of Building a Relationship begins. This process takes time, sometimes it happens quickly and other times it a long journey. Believe with us that this will be a speedy process and that our friend will accept the hand of help that is being extended to him. Together with your support we are Building Hope and Changing Lives.

Its Life and Death on the streets for those experiencing homelessness. Its with a heavy heart that we share with you the passing of our friend Darryl. We met Darryl back in 2018 when he was living outdoors in CNY. Darryl in his mid 50’s was very frail suffering from COPD and other health concerns. In collaboration with our Homeless Coalition we were able to get Darryl into housing late last year. We would still see Darryl from time to time to check up on him. We would bring him ensure, clothing, supplies and lunch as well as visits from Dr. Lehmann. Pictured here is Steve Med Student at upstate loving on Darryl this past summer. We were informed this week that Darryl was found in his apartment deceased two weeks ago. When I think of Darryl I quickly am reminded of his gentleness and appreciative heart for everything we did for him. Its a sad to know that he has passed BUT a positive thought we hold onto is that we loved him clothed him fead him and assisted him indoors. What an honor it was to have met him and to be able to serve him over the past two years. Till we meet again my friend on the other side, YOU WERE NOT INVISIBLE.