Update – February 2022
Some Updates from Grace and Main
This month, we’re sharing some of the big pile of data we generated about our work in 2021. Among other things, I’m sure you’ll notice that we provided more nights of shelter in 2021 than we’ve provided in any previous year: 5,527! Another of the many ways we measure the impact of our work is the “economic value” of the work that we do. That is, what would it cost the city and our neighborhoods if we weren’t doing what we do and doing it how we do it. For 2021, the estimated economic value of our work was $404,409. Accordingly, we turned every $1 donated to our work into $3.28 of benefit and impact. Thank you for being a part of that.
But, of course, there’s a lot that we do to which we cannot attach a number. Chief among these commitments in 2021 were the two brothers whom we buried. Daniel and James were long-time members of our community and powerful, local leaders upon whom we depended for so many things. It was a holy, but bittersweet, privilege to arrange for their final wishes and make sure they were cared for both in their final days and in death. We miss them and we appreciate your prayers. Next month, I’ll be sharing a story about James and all that he has meant to us.
As always, I welcome your questions and thoughts. Please feel free to reach out and, if you find yourself encouraged by what we’re working on and want to see if continue and grow, consider becoming a supporter. We’ve got a lot of good things we’re working on this year and we’ll be growing — so we will need new supporters and even more support than we have in previous years.
Grace and Peace,
Joshua
In 2021, we provided 5,527 nights of shelter through our network of housing resources including hospitality spaces, rent/utility subsidies, and a few other methods. These nights of shelter had a total economic value of more than $330,000!
In 2021, we provided 4,064 meals through grocery bags, subsidies, the Urban Farm, meal pickups and dropoffs, and a few other methods.
In 2021, we provided pastoral care and spiritual direction 3,171 times lasting 1,226 hours. This is an important kind of social support including active listening and emotional support.
In 2021, we provided 2,744 rides and spent 338 hours personally giving rides. These rides include trips to the doctor, pharmacy, grocery store, and work.
Brother James, a longtime Grace and Main leader and member, who passed in late December 2021
Snowy streets in one of the neighborhoods where we live and work.
A Short Prayer for New Opportunities
O God who, in creation, chose a garden to plant in the midst of the swirling void of chaos over which you hovered;
renew our spirits, ease our fatigue, and inspire our dreams of the future and of what we might join you in doing in a new year, in new places, and in new ways,
in order that we might find joy and peace in the uncertainty of new opportunities and new creations.
In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
A Quote to Contemplate
Brennan Manning wrote, “The gospel is absurd and the life of Jesus is meaningless unless we believe that He lived, died, and rose again with but one purpose in mind: to make brand-new creation. Not to make people with better morals but to create a community of prophets and professional lovers, men and women who would surrender to the mystery of the fire of the Spirit that burns within, who would live in ever greater fidelity to the omnipresent Word of God, who would enter into the center of it all, the very heart and mystery of Christ, into the center of the flame that consumes, purifies, and sets everything aglow with peace, joy, boldness, and extravagant, furious love. This, my friend, is what it really means to be a Christian.”