Seeking Shalom For and With The City
This spring, the issue of homelessness in downtown Indianapolis came under increased scrutiny. As fewer people were going downtown for work and events because of the COVID pandemic those who slept on the streets downtown became more visible. With businesses complaining about people sleeping on the street and the people bringing them food, the city council debated two different proposals to control the distribution of charity downtown. Though many of us who cooperate as part of Faith-Based Street Outreach (FBSO) understood the need for ensuring that people were being responsible in how they handed out food in order to help our friends experiencing homelessness without endangering public health, we had concerns about how the proposal that was finally approved would affect those who were being responsible in serving those in need.
With the proposal that was finally approved, the city designated a specific location that they wanted organizations to use for food distribution but limited the hours it could be used to times that most organization volunteers would not be available. In August, we were able to invite the city employee responsible for organizing this site to our regular FBSO meeting to discuss how this was affecting groups connected with us and how we shared common goals. These conversations did help lead to changes in the hours that are better for organizations that rely on volunteers. Still, the groups that have tried to use this site are still facing difficulties and we need to keep the dialogue open in order to create a win-win situation for everyone affected by this. At least one outreach ministry has become so discouraged by it that they have decided to suspend their outreach indefinitely.
Pray for wisdom and favor for those of us who are trying to find ways to collaborate with the city in creating a better approach that benefits everyone.
|
oard members for Circle City Village, T.J. Curtis, had the idea to hold a neighborhood carnival as a fundraiser and a way to build relationships with neighbors of the land where we will be building our first village. T.J. was able to secure sponsorship for four inflatable activities for kids from his employers, which made it possible for all funds received through ticket sales and concessions to go directly to the fund for building the village. So, on the last Saturday of August, we held our first-ever Circle City Village Community Carnival with activities and games for children, a vendor fair with information tables and baked goods, and food trucks for everyone in the family to get something to eat while enjoying the other activities.
ifferent project.)
