In response to "Churches, taxes, and a way forward for Rainbow Park"
Dear Editor,
From the very beginnings of The Inn over 40 years ago, the Faith Community has been a pillar of support for The Inn and its programs. Started when 4 local Devine St churches saw the need in a depressed 1981 economy, The Inn of the Good Shepherd has grown from a small food cupboard and weekly meal to a full service agency providing food, shelter and many other essential services. Our very location is a gift from the former Divine St United Church, purchased for a dollar. We have been blessed by Laurel Lea St Matthews Presbyterian Church to enable us to acquire that property in the future to build affordable housing which our community is in sore need of and to use it in the interim for an overflow emergency shelter housing up to 35 people each night.!
In the past couple months alone, we have seen so many churches or mosques and their members in the Faith Community provide meals for 100 people on dozens of days, hold food collections, sponsor Christmas families, build gift bags and socks for those unhoused on Christmas and Boxing Day, contribute financially, help shelter some 35 people every night, volunteer in the food bank and so much more…
During this period and throughout the year, the Faith Community touches virtually every program The Inn offers. Their actions and prayers, live their faith every day through compassion and caring for others. This is true, not just for The Inn but for so many other programs in our community.
Our latest annual report notes some 50 faith organizations that were engaged with and support programs of The Inn in the past year.
There have been a couple on-line suggestions that churches should do more and open their spaces to house people in this homelessness crisis. Often in crisis, we look for simplistic solutions yet the complex needs of the homeless, often with mental health and addictions challenges, demands resources, supports, training and skill sets that are generally beyond what a church can provide in an effective and safe manner.
The outreach work of our Faith Community has immeasurable impact on our community as a whole and on thousands of individuals. They make our community so much better!
Thank you for your blessings!
Myles Vanni
Inn of the Good Shepherd