Are you interested in learning more about what it’s like to interact with hopelessness and despair on a daily basis? Lighthouse Mission works to partner with donors in order to intervene on behalf of panhandlers, drug addicts, alcoholics, and homeless people in order to provide them with hope. But this work has its good days and bad days for sure. Here is a compilation from a variety of our staff members sharing about the most difficult parts of their role:
What It’s Like To Really Bring Hope to the Hopeless
“The hardest part of my job is being able to stay in contact on a regular basis with the people I am trying to serve. Being homeless and on the streets you are constantly on the move. I can spend hours, days, even weeks looking for people to continue a long lasting relationship.” – Dane, Outreach Services Assistant
“To find the space between my impulse and my action, so God’s grace can inspire. To respond to all as Jesus would. To remember I am a channel of God’s peace.” – Don, Case Manager
“The hardest part of my job is hearing people in the community saying hurtful things about the work we do. It hurts to hear statements that characterize people like myself and our organization as a whole as predatory or harmful in some way. We all fight an uphill, perceivably never-ending battle and I am saddened to know that some wish harm on us; it sticks with me while I continue to fight.” – Hannah, Community Engagement Coordinator
“Even though I do not work directly with guests on issues of recovery and stability, it is very disheartening to see people I know and care about leave the Mission and return to unhealthy and destructive lifestyles.” – James, Restoration Technician
“The most difficult part of my job is seeing people in deep states of crisis who fall between the cracks of what the system can do — of seeing someone in that awful stage between too mentally unstable to bring into a community but not so far gone as to involuntary detain them — and knowing it will only be by the grace of God that they aren’t hurt or taken advantage of in some way. We come into organizations like this to help, to serve, to try to bring restoration and healing, but it’s painful to know that there are some people who, despite our best efforts, are beyond our reach or can’t receive any of the help we can give. It’s hard to be faced with such a visible picture of the brokenness that runs through humanity, and to be very bluntly reminded that as much as we may care, there are some needs only God can meet.” – Catherine, Program Administrative Assistant
By Giving, You Can Make A Difference
The best way for you to turn the tide of this darkness is to act now and create a monthly donation commitment. By partnering with Lighthouse Mission Ministries you are sending light out into the darkness and supporting these heroic staff members in what they do every single day. Want to make a difference in the world of poverty? Give today.
Your acting now and creating a recurring online donation is the best way to help. Did you know that Lighthouse Mission Ministries has been a critical lifeline in Washington since 1923? That’s over 100 years of service to the Bellingham community as an active 501c3 non-profit. We support well over 300 hundred beds every single day. Join us in this campaign against homelessness, and hopelessness today.
