SpokaneFāVS
Our community faces growing challenges around the topic of homelessness, and the Union Gospel Mission, Family Promise, and Adult & Teen Challenge have partnered together to host a summit on World Homeless Day to discuss the realities of homelessness and solutions available.
The summit will take place on Oct. 10, from 4-6:30 p.m., at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, 322 N Spokane Falls Court.
“We mark World Homeless Day to remember that our neighbors experiencing homelessness are real people, created by God for a greater purpose than mere survival on the streets,” according to the UGM webpage about the event. “In light of the growing debate about our community response to homelessness, we invite one and all to consider what it really means to help, and to embrace solutions that promote real change.”
Speakers at the summit and their topics will be:
- Tyson West, executive director of Adult & Teen Challenge—”Mercy of Consequences”
- Dr. Mark Baird, clinical psychologist in field of trauma and Whitworth University assistant professor—”Car Alarm in the Brain”
- Ed and Gail Stevenson, founders of Life Recovery Solutions—”Effects of Addiction”
- Joe Ader, executive director of Family Promise of Spokane—”Restored Community”
- John Repsold, founder and senior pastor of Mosaic Fellowship—”Relief vs. Development”
- Phil Altmeyer, executive director of Union Gospel Mission—”Enabling vs. Empowering”
In addition to the summit, UGM will spend time earlier in the day to form groups that will hold signs at busy intersections. They want to do this to promote the idea that homeless people are people first, unique individuals created in the image of God, with the goal of offering them a better life than panhandling.
Individuals interested in participating will meet at UGM, from 8 a.m.-noon, to form groups and get intersection assignments. Call 509-535-8510 or email info@uniongospelmission.org to sign up.
If you are interested in attending the summit or want more information, visit UGM’s World Homeless Day registration link.
Cassy (pronounced like Cassie but spelled with a ‘y’) Benefield is a wife and mother, a writer and photographer and a huge fan of non-fiction. She has traveled all her life, first as an Army brat. She is a returned Peace Corps volunteer (2004-2006) to Romania where she mainly taught Conversational English. She received her bachelor’s in journalism from Cal Poly Technical University in San Luis Obispo, California. She finds much comfort in her Savior, Jesus Christ, and considers herself a religion nerd who is prone to buy more books, on nearly any topic, than she is ever able to read. She is the managing editor of SpokaneFāVS.com.
