Johnny was making it OK by working odd jobs, not getting rich but able to pay for his food and housing.
Until he awoke one morning blind. Not totally blind, but unable to work with his hands as he had done since he was a teen.
Losing his home, car and much of his self-respect, Johnny was found sleeping in a drainage ditch in McMinnville. If he caught a break, he bed down in a shed or abandoned house where he could take refuge from the rain, sleet or windstorm. In severe cold, he just suffered.
Johnny’s story is not unlike that of most of the unsheltered in Warren County and across America. Loss of a job, unmanaged mental illness, substance addiction or divorce can quickly push successful, independent people into destitution and homelessness, said Bill Davis, one of the founders and directors of Homeless of McMinnville Effort (HOME), a local nonprofit formed last year to help people living in Warren County without the safety and comfort of decent housing. Davis is administrative lieutenant at McMinnville Police Department. In his 17 years in local law enforcement, he was often the first person to encounter a homeless person in a difficult situation or imminent danger. He learned that offering a hand up to deeply distressed people might keep them from falling into incarceration or, worse, a dismal existence on the streets, exposed to random violence or deadly extremes of weather. “A year ago they might have been living in a nice home and driving a nice car, and now they’re out on the streets,” the veteran lawman said. “I ignored the problem a long time.”
But in recent years, rescuing the unsheltered and giving them the tools and inspiration to escape homelessness have soared to the top of his agenda.
Davis is one of the many concerned and active citizens who will meet Saturday, April 10, to brainstorm about local approaches to address the challenges of persistent homelessness in Warren County. Central Church of Christ will hold the meeting, providing breakfast at 9 a.m. in a COVID-responsible space in its fellowship hall beneath the main auditorium.
“We warmly invite everyone who has a heart for our homeless neighbors,” said Doug Bost, one of the elders at Central. “It will be our honor and pleasure to serve a good breakfast to all those attending and to share ideas on how we can serve in a Christian spirit those who are struggling with food, housing and other basic needs.”
Central invites those interested in attending to contact them so its hospitality volunteers can plan adequately. Call the church office at 473-6537 or email churchatcentral@benlomand. net before 2 p.m. Thursday, April 8. Reservations are not required but would be appreciated, church officials noted.
“Through His teachings and example, Jesus showed us we need to help the less fortunate, the weak and those with no place as a settled home,” Dennis Ruch, another of Central’s elders observed. “The human need stretches all across our society so this effort depends on the whole community without regard to church brands or any other human-contrived difference. The work needs to be done, and we all need to take a share of the work as our own.”
One topic of discussion in the April 10 meeting is expected to be the concept of a residential subdivision of “smart homes,” also known as highly efficient shelters designed to meet the basic needs of individuals or small families. Central will build the first of these 300-square-foot, free-standing units complete with all bathroom and kitchen facilities, Bost said. The energy- efficient home will be built beginning this spring with mostly volunteer labor on Central’s parking lot along North Spring Street.
“This is not intended to be a permanent residence, but a transitional home as the residents work toward total independence and self-sufficiency,” Bost emphasized. “Working with HOME and others, we will offer self-help education and support. There will be enforced rules of personal conduct and support for transitioning to regular employment. This is truly a hand up and not a never-ending hand out.”
Johnny’s desperate situation came to the attention of caring McMinnville neighbors like Lt. Davis and HOME volunteers, including co-founders Tina Higgins and Sheila Fann. With a large dose of help from Ascension Saint Thomas Healthcare’s charity mission and generous, individual donors, Johnny was able to have the eye surgery that restored partial vision. He awaits a second round of surgery that will, hopefully, bring him back to nearly normal eyesight.
Now enabled to resume his former work and earn money for his basic necessities, Johnny is living in safe, secure housing, out of the weather and away from the many dangers of living on the streets.
