Some of how God has used Streetlights of Bethany in November and early December of 2009

Posted by Rev Bobbi at 12/16/2009 10:38 AM
Categories: uncategorized
  • Tommy: Phone calls and trips to Martinsburg, WV. Tommy has cancer which was diagnosed while he was in the VA Hospital being treated for PTSD. He is a long term client.
  • Gary is now in an Oxford House. I am still trying to find a place for him to recuperate after his surgery. This month we have been partnering with 
    •       The Salvation Army where I placed him, however, he could not stay due to physical condition which prevented him from continuing to work there.  
    • Safe Journey House where he completed the program. It was here that we were able to get his surgery scheduled
    • Christian Life Center where his mail goes
    • Oxford House where he is now staying while he awaits his surgery date
    • Laurel Advocacy Services where he is on the list for permanent housing
    • His doctor’s office
  • Linda is now in her own apartment and self sufficient. One of the homeless men I met told me he heard she was doing well and wants to get into the program she is in. He was very encouraged by her success. She was a chronically homeless alcoholic with untreated Bi-Polar Disorder.
  •  Through our partnerships with First Baptist Church of Glen Arden and University Christian Church, Streetlights of Bethany was able to provide 16 baskets to those in need for Thanksgiving and transport them to the people. Among them:
    • senior citizens
    • families who were recently homeless and now in their own homes
    • families who are extremely poor
    • an Oxford House
    •  Ex- Offender’s family
    • Agape House Jail Ministry
  • We have provided many meals to the homeless and partner with several agencies, ministries, individuals to do so. Some provide the food, others cook, and others distribute
  • Streetlights was able to provide a bed, bedding, a dresser and lamp to Bobby who is now in his own home.
  • We were able to place Cathy into the Riverdale Presbyterian Church shelter. She had been living in her car even though she works 2 jobs
  • Jimmy is now in Reality House. When I began working with him, he was living in the woods. He is an alcoholic, senior citizen, chronically homeless, paranoid schizophrenic. I placed him in Safe Journey House and partnered with them, his mother and Reality House to get him in their programs. I also was key in getting his SSI check from his sister who is his payee and was holding the check. When Jimmy completed Safe Journey House, I drove him to Reality House. I also bought him clothes, a coat, food and personal items. While in Reality House I bought him a birthday present and took it, a card and frosting for the cake. They had not known it was his birthday, but when I told them, they gave him a surprise party.
  • I advocated for F.M. during her stay at PG Hospital, E400 ward while she was there due to suicidal tendencies. I was able to get her into Reality House where she is doing well.
  • Streetlights paid for Robert M’s birth certificate and also for a resident at Oxford House to take him to DC to get the certificate, paid for the parking, their food and the volunteer’s gas. I will be taking Robert to get his state issued picture ID this week. This enabled me to help the Oxford House Resident while I was helping Robert.
  • I took 2 men to MVA. One got ID and the other a driver’s license so he could accept a job offer to drive for a company.
  • Streetlights provided brand new coats through the generosity of First Baptist Church of Laurel for twelve men who were homeless. Most were alcoholics, many were on meds. Some were physically and most appeared to have mental and/or physical challenges. We talked about getting into programs, going to detox, etc. One I went to the ER with. One has gone to the S.O.M.E. program to request admittance into their long term rehab program.
  • Streetlights was instrumental in implementing a tutoring program for children with special needs who are falling behind their classmates.We purchased the program, began teaching, and then presented it to University Christian Church. One of the members, Bessie Colding, who is a school teacher has agreed to head this outreach program and it will be called: Fun, Faith and Phonics and is now a ministry of University Christian Church.
  • Through our partnership with First Baptist Church and especially with members Cheryl Rowe and Robin Vestal, we will be able to obtain teaching materials and books for the new After School Programs at University Church.
  • Streetlights was able to get volunteers and partners to buy Christmas toys, etc. for 16 children.
  • Max went back home, takes his meds now and he has started attending University Christian Church. He was formerly homeless, asked to leave a shelter because he was too mentally impaired for their program and had called me in despair.
  • I ministered to a client who has a daughter in Arlington County Jail. I also visited the daughter twice at the jail. This woman has mental illness according to the mother but she does not acknowledge it and has refused to get help in that area. She did say she would contact me when she was released regarding job assistance.
  • Streetlights was able to provide hiking cups (provided by The Wishing Well Ministry) to about 20 homeless men and women in Laurel and talk with several of them. I am now partnering with First Baptist Church of Laurel in their homeless ministry.  Ms. Judith McDonald heads The Wishing Well and has been instrumental in assisting the homeless, especially veterans in our area. What a blessing she is! She had referred a vet to me who was living in a shed, suffers from advanced RA and Streetlights paid for him to stay in a motel one night while we worked on his housing situation. He is now residing at P.G. House and has called to thank us for our help.

 

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  • 12/24/2009 11:39 AM terry wrote:
    Rev Bobbi

    this is Terry here. Carl's friend. God bless you and your organization. You are truly an angel for the economically disadvantage/underserved.

    Happy Holidays
    Reply to this
    1. 12/25/2009 10:29 AM Rev Bobbi wrote:

      Thank you so much for your kind words. I truly love to serve others, in my Master's Name. It is The Love of Christ within me that compells me to reach out to embrace those He Loves. Merry Christmas to you and to Carl.


      Reply to this
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