Safe Parking Ministry: Latest News

  Spring Update Safe Parking Ministry – Doing God’s Work with Our Hands

As we transition from cold winter days to warm spring ones, we want to share the latest developments in our Safe Parking ministry. It has been almost a year since we transitioned to an all-volunteer team, and we've been busy supporting the needs of our safe parking guests. We work with our guests to set goals and solve issues that prevent them from moving forward. Our goal is to help them achieve stability in their lives. Both we and our guests experience challenges and successes every day. We are learning that faith, trust in the Holy Spirit, and patience are great virtues. Not all guests are motivated by goals at the same pace as us. In the last few months, three guests have met their goals and exited the program, while four new guests have joined. Many of the services we provide are thanks to your generosity of time, talent, and financial support.

The most difficult challenge we experienced this winter was the bone-chilling cold. Nighttime temperatures made car-living dangerous. On several occasions, we opened the church so the parkers could stay warm. Here are other ways we have been serving our guests:

Meal Service: Warm, nutritious meals are a blessing for our guests. Our Hot Soup on Sunday service ran for six months, and the outpouring of support was heartwarming. The variety of soups was well received and appreciated by our guests. We've now transitioned to a Hot Meal on Sunday service. We also help our guests connect with food bank services.

Vehicle Repair and Donation: Vehicle issues are prevalent, and having an operational vehicle is crucial as it is their home. Last month, a friend of a parishioner performed engine repairs for a guest despite the cold weather. Another parker received new tires so they could travel to their counseling and benefits appointments. Two parishioners generously gifted their vehicles so that our parkers would not end up on the street or in a homeless shelter. Through the winter months, we handed out over 40 gas cards to parkers so they could run their cars when it was cold.

Job Support: Employment is vital to helping our parkers achieve financial stability, but many of them are embarrassed to ask for help. Through our parish network, we helped a guest secure a job at a franchise restaurant. Our volunteers stepped in to provide professional attire and interview coaching. The guest now dreams of finding permanent housing, and we pray that he achieves this goal.

Housing: Obtaining permanent affordable housing has become more difficult, and several of our parkers are on the waiting list. By leveraging our contacts with social services agencies, we assisted a guest in attaining senior housing. Thanks to St. Vincent de Paul, we supplied the guest with furnishings and household goods, and our volunteers helped relocate the guest to her new apartment.

Other Services: The church upgraded the electrical circuit in the hut. A parishioner brought in a professional contractor who generously provided his services at no cost. A group of volunteers then donated their time and muscle to dig and lay conduit, while the Knights of Columbus paid for the materials.

Our parkers have expressed a desire to contribute and give back to St. Jude. One guest helped prepare the food for the Knights Pancake breakfast, while another took on the challenge of power washing the church grounds over multiple days.

As you can see the experience, network and talents of our volunteers and parishioners has been invaluable in helping us serve this vulnerable population. Together, as a Parish, we are making a difference. It is truly us DOING GOD’WORK WITH OUR HANDS!! And we are very proud of the difference we have made in the lives of our guests. 

We appreciate your support and welcome your ideas! You can donate to the Outreach Ministry online https://pushpay.com/g/stjude-redmond (fund 118-Outreach Donation) or use the QR Code below. If you wish to volunteer contact Vinod Nazareth at email: v29nazareth@gmail.com