Greetings all, I pray you are well.
I’m sorry for the delayed Thoughts From Thad. Today, rather than jumping into God’s Word, I have some difficult news to share. Due to some unforeseen circumstances that I still don’t really understand, the grant that was due to come to us this June, for operating expenses, did not come through. This means that as of Tuesday, 7/15, we will, in essence, be out of money. We will have to shut down. We have been assured that our grant, scheduled for June, will be available for us in September. We can only trust that this will be the case and plan accordingly.
What does a shut down at Opportunity House look like. This, thankfully, is uncharted water for us, but, it will be nothing short of devastating to our local chronic homeless population and our Cabarrus neighbors. All staff will be on furlough. A few, who are able, will work as volunteers. Our doors will be closed. We will provide one meal a day, distributed at lunch time, a specific time to be determined later. We will provide mail service. Our parish nurse will continue to schedule appointments. The health van will be here on Wednesdays. We will continue our Thursday night 2Gather2Gether service that begins at 6 pm and includes a meal. That will be it.
During the hottest months of our North Carolina summer, OH will be closed. This will be a crushing blow to our homeless community. They will miss out on:
* 20-30 showers per day
* Clothing closet
* Food pantry
* Medications for specific mental health conditions could be interrupted.
* 5 days per week of AC and a safe place to get away from the street.
* 5 days per week of bathroom availability (this is a bigger need than most of us realize).
* No AA or NA meetings
* Critical peer support service will be interrupted.
* Police and emergency services will be negatively impacted.
* ER visits will increase.
* Library and public access buildings will see an increase in attendance.
* The list can go on and on.
I see commercials on TV for the SPCA and the sad dogs and cats, and these are very moving, because who doesn’t love dogs and cats. Everytime I see this commercial, I tell my wife Kristi, I know people who are living like that, hundreds of people, here in Cabarrus County. I know that there are some neighbors who can and are able to help. I say neighbors, because 60 – 70% of our clients are from Cabarrus County. Please don’t listen to those who say otherwise. These numbers bear out every year, stable numbers since when I first arrived in 2018.
Some of you give monthly checks, we thank you. I am reluctant to ask for more. Some of you do not. All that I ask is for you to pray for us here at OH. Lay this before the Lord, and then do as God says for you to do. Please, keep up the prayers. We need those prayers. The actual amount that we need depends on many variables, but the bare minimum would be $30,000 per month, which for 2 1/2 months would be $75,ooo.
I am so proud of those that I work with. Nobody is worried about their paycheck. We are only concerned about our peeps. Summer, in North Carolina, in a tent in the woods, is difficult. It’s not just the heat, and bugs, and critters though. It’s the humidity and the surprise downpours in the late afternoon. Please help if you can. If you can’t help us financially, then please keep us on your prayer list.
I don’t normally send out my cell, but I will on this email. You can reach me with an email or by phone at 704-791-2883 should you have questions. Leave a message, I will respond as quick as possible. For an old man, I text well, so you can text me also, just add your name to the text if I do not already have your number. Donations can also be made at our website, Opp House just click on the donate button on the home page.
Please feel free to share this email.
Thank you for your commitment to prayer.
Do no harm, do good, and stay in love with God. Welcome the Spirit.
Blessings,
Thad Brown
Opportunity House
and Harmony Church
Concord