A pastoral care and support guide for individuals who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of losing their residences has been made available by the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States to parishes.
Theological insights are included in the publication, which is primarily focused on practical guidance for Orthodox missions that target this vulnerable social group. The field expertise of Orthodox charitable organisations across the Americas informed this guidebook.
The authors note that to effectively reduce homelessness, the entire community must work together. They outline steps for those wishing to establish a center for homeless individuals.
How to Align Parish Mission Efforts
To build a mission project aimed at helping homeless individuals, the following steps are essential:
- Determine your parish’s volunteer interest in creating a sustainable program.
- Identify a parish leader(s), with the blessing of the parish priest, to coordinate the parish’s efforts and be the main contact for the ministry and future partnerships with community organizations.
- Do a community needs assessment to see where the greatest area of need exists.
- Learn about local community organizations to see what work is already being done.
- Connect with community partners to find out what they’d like to do, or do more of, if they had the personal and financial resources to do so, and find ways to support their work and further serve the community.
- Build partnerships with organizations to better serve the community.
- Connect with an Orthodox Christian service organization. To find an Orthodox Christian service organization in your area, check out the Directory.
- Create a unique plan that is able to serve the specific needs of your community, inclusive of fundraising efforts, volunteer coordinators, program creators/implementers, community partnerships, Inter-Orthodox/Christian/interfaith cooperation, and spreading the word.
- Engage people in your community to be involved and to support the growth of the ministry through service, financial support, time, outreach to partners, and other needs that may arise.
Dispelling Myths About Homelessness
The guidebook also addresses common misconceptions about homelessness in America, urging believers to approach the issue with empathy and solidarity.
For example, according to the National Coalition for the Homeless, between 40% and 60% of homeless individuals are not in this situation due to unemployment. Many are employed but cannot afford housing.
The guidebook is available on the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of America’s website.
Homelessness in the US: A Snapshot
In a single night in January 2022, an organization counted 582,500 homeless individuals in the United States.
The causes of homelessness include:
- Demolition of affordable housing neighbourhoods and their replacement with higher-cost housing (gentrification).
- Chronic illness.
- Domestic violence.
- Unpaid home loans leading to foreclosure.
- Job loss.
- Natural disasters.
By addressing these root causes and building support systems, Orthodox parishes can contribute meaningfully to reducing homelessness.
Photo: assemblyofbishops.org
