THE PRAYER OF ST. FRANCIS

Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace;
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is error, the truth;
Where there is doubt, the faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master,
Grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled, as to console;
To be understood, as to understand;
To be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.

Christ calls upon us because

  He has no hands but your hands to do his work today.

   He has no feet but your feet to lead folks in his way.

   He has no lips but your lips to tell them how he died.

   He has no love but your love to brings them to his side.

                                                                          unknown

Jesus the Homeless

  "  At Christmas time several years ago, Canadian artist Timothy Schmalz noticed a homeless person a corner in downtown Toronto, so wrapped up in a sleeping bag to keep warm that he couldn't tell if it was a man or a woman. This is Jesus was Schmalz' first reaction.

   The Catholic artist decided to create a bronze sculpture of the tired Jesus, wrapped in a blanket except for his feet.  Despite the artist's hope to place a homeless Jesus in every major city, the statue had difficulty finding a home.  In Schmalz' home Diocese of Toronto, st. Michael's Cathedral declined to accept the statue.  St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York also turned it down.

   But when Pope Francis blessed the sculpture at one of his weekly general audiences and called it a "beautiful piece of art:, interest in the bronze sculpture increased.

   Today the Jesus the Homeless statue (which is based on Chapter 25 of Matthew) can be found in several locations, including Chicago, Rome, North Carolina and at the University of Toronto's Regis College."

This Lent - can we find Jesus the Homeless in our thoughts and what we do for those in need?

(1.)  from The Little Black Book, Six-minute meditations on the Passion according to Luke

PMC and the FoodBank

The Akron/Canton Regional FoodBank is somewhat a "silent partner" with PMC. While we are truly blessed with five parishes and one private organization providing meals, and contributions from various churches,  the provisions we draw from the FoodBank are critical to rounding out our meals and keeping our food costs low.

How low from the FoodBank  in year 2014? 

*  our average cost on all purchases was .10 per pound.

*  our total cost for all provisions was 6.7 cents on the dollar.

Our overall stats:

Meals served:  16,459  (year 2013 10,000). This includes our meals served in the Dinning Hall, meals to our tented citizens on Saturday and Thursday meals to the Miller Avenue Youth Program.

These statistics are important only because of the team of volunteers who prepare for and put the meals together.

Who are they:  Tom Smith, managing the kitchen; Don Roese, Mickey Mader and Dawn Hosick coordinating the selection of provisions needed, and placing and picking up the orders each week.

So .. praise God for the wonderful resource of the Akron/Canton Regional FoodBank. When you receive a plea in the mail asking for support of this non-profit organization, please consider a donation.

Joe May

Chairman

Help PMC Sleep-Over Program

When the wind-chill reaches 0 degrees our Center is open overnight to accommodate our unsheltered citizens. We have been open as needed through January, and the forecast indicates that we will be open through the balance of February.

The cost to operate overnight, beyond our scheduled day program, is not covered in our budget.

We invite you to sponsor one (or multiple) overnight guest(s), or an entire overnight so that we keep our shelter available for the duration.

Sponsor a guest for $20 per person per night.
Sponsor an entire overnight for $300.

You may write a check to PMC Overnight   P.O. Box 1105  Hudson Ohio 44236.

Your financial assistance is greatly appreciated  (We operate without government or foundation funding; all our costs are met through individual and organization contributions).

Interview with Joe May

  EXCERPT FROM akronlife magazine February, 2015

An interview by Abby Cymerman with Joe May [founder, The Peter Maurin Center of Akron].

I am sharing a portion of this article because Abby’s interview asked four pertinent questions that reflect the need for public understanding of the plight of the homeless in our community.

What is the true state of homelessness in Summit County?

JM:  The state of homelessness in Summit County is complex. Perhaps it can best be described in segments, which is consistent with most cities across the country.

Most noticeable are the homeless the public sees on the city streets: some with signage seeking assistance; some staying warm during the day in libraries and bus stations; some riding bikes or walking to and from food sources; and some standing outside a temporary-employment office.

Much less noticeable are the tented homeless who take up residence in vacant wooded areas. For the most part, they are marginal survivalist. Some become adept at caring for themselves; others are in desperate need of help to survive – particularly in the dead of winter.

Other among the noticeable are the squatters. These homeless move about finding shelter in vacant houses or commercial buildings.

Transient homeless (versus long-term or chronic) rent day-to-day or week-to-week. On any given day, they face eviction. Some are found sleeping in their car while seeking their next shelter.

If you want numbers, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development required a biannual point-in-time homeless count in order for Continuums of Care, located by county, to be eligible for Federal funding.

The “Point-in Time” survey conducted in 2010 indicated there were approximately 875 homeless.  From the experience of those working directly with homeless, the number in the Greater Akron area is estimated at more than 1,100 people and more than 100 tented citizens.  To our knowledge, this has not been conducted in the last two or three years in Summit County.

When it comes to our community’s homeless, what can we as Akronites do to help?

JM: The public in general see the homeless on the city streets but lack understanding of the stories behind what they see. As a result, they are referred to as beggar, bum, panhandler and “Why don’t they get a job!”

Those who share their God-given talents and their time to provide assistance see the face of Christ in all who are in need.  We live by the (paraphrased) Matthew 25 scripture in which Jesus instructs us:  What so ever you do unto the least … you do unto me”. The Greeks of old put it well, “People in need are the ambassadors of the gods.”

What the Akron public can do to help is to become involved, beginning with an understanding of who the homeless are.  What has caused them to become unsheltered, and what are their needs?

There are many ways to begin:  Get active in your church social concerns group, research online the plight of the homeless and discover the inhumane, as well as the compassionate, treatment by cities across the country.

The next step is to reach out to any number of well-established organizations that minister to the immediate needs of the homeless, and those organizations that seek long-term solutions.  Volunteer with organizations, such as the Peter Maurin Center, and go prepared to share your God-given talents rather than going to “serve”.  The distinction between the two terms is that of dignity.  Go prepared to share the most effective talent: listening.  I remember the saying:    “I never learn anything when I’m talking”.

Who is welcome at the center?

JM:  Anyone who walks through our doors is welcomed. If they don’t stay long, they most likely are not in need.  Our mission is to nurture the body, mind and soul.  On rare occasions, we must ask a guest to leave if he or she is causing a disturbance.  However, each is invited back to the entrance at any time for a meal

How can people volunteer their time?

JM:  Volunteers are welcome to drop in anytime we’re open:  Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Fridays and Sundays from noon to 3 p.m.  Simply introduce yourself and state your interest in volunteering.  Our many volunteers, each in his or her own right, will attest to the joy in each of their lives having been given the opportunity to share with others in need at PMC.

[Full article available on TWITTER or obtain the magazine]

Joe May

Four Ways to Help the Homeless

The following is an excerpt from an article entitled How to Help the Homeless,  by Mary Fairchild,  Christianity. http://christianity.about.com/od/faithinaction/qt/homeless.htm

Matthew 25:35
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in ... etc.  If your heart has been gripped by the needs of the hungry, thirsty, strangers on the streets, here are four effective ways to help the homeless in your community.

1) Volunteer

The most productive way to get started helping the homeless is to join forces with a well-established operation. As a volunteer you will learn from those who are already making a difference, rather than repeating the mistakes of well-meaning but misguided novices.

 A good place to start volunteering is at your local church. If your congregation doesn't have a homeless ministry, find a reputable organization in your city and invite church members to join you and your family in serving. [The Peter Maurin Center welcomes volunteer inquiries].

2) Respect

One of the best ways to help a homeless person is to show them respect. As you look into their eyes, talk to them with genuine interest, and recognize their value as an individual, you will give them a sense of dignity that they rarely experience. While it's wise to exercise caution and take measures to ensure your personal safety when ministering to the homeless, by identifying with the real person behind the face on the streets, your ministry will be much more effective and rewarding.

3) Give

Giving is another great way to help, however, unless the Lord directs you, don't give money directly to the homeless. Cash gifts are often used to buy drugs and alcohol. Instead, make your donations to a well-known, reputable organization in your community. Many shelters and soup kitchens also welcome contributions of food, clothing and other supplies.

4) Pray

Lastly, prayer is  one of the easiest and most positive ways you can help the homeless. Because of the harshness of their lives, many homeless people are crushed in spirit. But Psalm 34:17-18 says, "The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."   God can use your prayers to bring deliverance and healing to broken lives.

Why Do You Do What You Do?

"Why Do You Do What You Do?"                    
by Duane Carothers                            

The above question is the main focus of a book that I recently read, titled " Lead... For God's Sake."  This question was on my mind quite often during the weekend of January 3rd and 4th.  During the course of this weekend, I received a phone call from Bill Young, concerning the weather forecast for the upcoming week.  The forecast was calling for overnight temperatures in the single digits ( with sub-zero wind chills), for most of the week.  The decision was made to have the Peter Maurin Community Center open to the unsheltered homeless, to stay over night, beginning Tuesday evening.                                                                                       

 With this in mind, Bill and I decided to go out  Monday evening to notify the homeless of our intent to open the emergency homeless shelter.  We visited 2 different campsites ( each with multiple tents and occupants).  We, then, decided to head to the main library to look for more homeless people.  On the way, we noticed a young man, carrying a blanket, walking near the Federal Building.  As we approached, I asked Bill if we should pull over.  His reply was, "of course."  Bill initiated a conversation with "Jeff," regarding his status, and where he was going to spend the night.  We found out that this was his very first night being homeless, and that he intended to sleep outside.  He asked if we knew of a park or graveyard near by.  He also insisted that he would be "OK," with only that single blanket.  We then offered to take him to the Haven of Rest, but he was adamant about not wanting to be around other people.                                       

At this point, Bill and I knew he would not be OK.  We knew of a vacant tent, that had been occupied by Bobby Blosser, who had died on Christmas Eve.  It was well supplied with blankets and a good sleeping bag.  We talked to Jeff about considering this option ( without mentioning that the former occupant had passed away).  He finally agreed to go with us to examine the tent, and although a bit scared, he decided to stay in the tent.                                                                                                                         

As we headed to the library, Bill and I talked about "Divine Guidance," and we got an answer to "Why Do You Do What You Do?," in regards to the Peter Maurin Center and Matthew 8:20.       

As a side note, we, have since, talked to Jeff, and Kaela, his girlfriend, who is also living in the tent, along with their dog, "Chomper."  They are doing well, and actually love the tent ( we've added a dozen thick blankets) and surroundings.  Jeff let us know that he would not have been OK, that first night, and that it was God that directed him to us.

Letter from Russ Pry to Joe May

Letter from Russ Pry regarding the new Community Center

Dedication of Alex's Memorial Bus Pass Fund