Al's Outreach Outtakes

In my January 13th article I challenged everyone to start the new year by thinking about their blessings, their talents and their treasures. More importantly I challenged you to think about how you might be able to make a difference in someone else’s life by sharing those blessings. The following week I introduced a new ministry called Random Angels. The idea behind the ministry is pretty simple; have a pool of resources who help when they can. There is no time or resource commitment. No monthly or annual dues. No requirement to have a special skill or talent. You get alerted to a need that the community is aware of but struggling to resolve. If you have some capacity to help with the identified need, and are in a position to do so, you contact me. If you cannot assist with whatever the need is, all I ask is that you say a prayer that the resources are found. No pressure, no guilt.
 
Since that article, about 20 people have become Random Angels. They have been notified of one need that we are looking to resolve. Three siblings, all Beaverton High School students, are paying $600 per month to live in an uninsulated garage. The oldest, a brother, is working a couple of jobs while attending school and is on track to graduate this school year. The two sisters are grateful for what he is doing and are working hard with their studies. We are searching for an apartment or permanent housing that they can afford. If you, or someone you know, might be in a position to help I would love to hear from you.
 
If you would like to join the Random Angels Ministry, it’s not too late. Just email me at [email protected] and I will be happy to include you in the email notifications that go out.
 
The most recent Beaverton School District homeless students report I received shows that as of February 12,
1,938 students have been identified as homeless. While the vast majority of those are living in a shared situation, 94 are unsheltered meaning they have no roof over their head. 336 of the 1,938 are younger than kindergarten age; 299 of the 1,938 are unaccompanied youth meaning they are living without a parent or legally appointed guardian. 143 of the 1,938 are Beaverton High School students.
 
Please keep in mind that these are not just numbers, but young people in desperate need of help. There are no easy answers to these complex housing challenges. Please keep them in your prayers as many in the community search for ways to assist.