Walking The Walk

Living in Redlands, California has its advantages like being minutes from work, school, doctor and dentist offices. This is easy for me to say since I have somewhere to call home.  I don't have to endure downtown  cold winter nights or stress over where I will get my next meal or shower, but there are plenty who do and they are not just adults.  How does that make me feel? Helpless. Angry. Frustrated.  A couple of  friends of mine recently asked, "So, are we supposed to be happy because we are blessed somehow? Why aren't we on the streets?  Why does it seem the world is so unfair? Where is God in all this? What can I do to make a difference?"

Just today, I picked up today's newspaper and read some startling stats about our local homeless youth. 106 youth we surveyed in Redlands starting in July 2009 and ending in July 2010. This survey revealed that 52% of these young people were homeless and that 84% had made attempts at getting off the street, but failed. If they are lucky, someone might offer them a couch or floor to crash on.  Most of the time though, they are not so lucky. Many sleep in bushes or behind buildings or they might just end up walking aimlessly all night till the sun comes up when they begin their journey all over again. It's exhausting and it's happening right here in my own town. It's happening right in your own town.

Thank God for Heidi Mayer who founded YouthHope in Redlands about a year ago - a non-profit dedicated to helping at-risk youth ages 14-24. Heidi has rallied volunteers and local businesses, even the Redlands Police department -  in meeting the needs of these kids that otherwise would go unnoticed.

Heidi noticed.  And now - with help of volunteers - provides shelter and hot meals for the youth at The Blessing Center - another organization that is determined to extend love and compassion.  If you feel inspired to lend a hand or help out by donation click here for more information on how you can make a difference in the life of a child.  To get a first-hand up close idea of what these kids are experiencing click here.  Where is God? God is here! God is here in the hands of Heidi Mayer and all those who donate their time and energy to make our small town and the entire Inland Empire, a better place for its at-risk youth.