In this season of miracles, let’s celebrate the many miracles that you and I get to participate in together.
It is truly a miracle of God’s grace that this ministry, started 25 years ago by five friends and a formerly homeless man, continues to expand to meet the needs of our city’s most vulnerable neighbors. It is simply miraculous the vast number of people—compassionate people like you— that God has brought alongside us to serve our neighbors who have experienced homelessness or are still suffering on the streets. You have stood alongside us serving meals as a way to connect with our neighbors who are hungry and alone. You have joined our movement to mitigate homelessness by lifting our homeless neighbors off the streets into a permanent home in a caring community. Together, we have built Community First! Village into the flourishing neighborhood it is today!
This year you moved 91 of our neighbors experiencing homelessness into a caring community and permanent home at Community First! Village. You helped them reclaim their dignity through purposeful work in our Community Works programs. You connected with them, encouraged them and supported them as they renewed, restored and transformed their lives.
Currently, more than 350 neighbors live in the Village. With construction on the last home underway, we will soon be ready to welcome more men and women who are now living on the streets home to the Village.
Because you continue to share your goodness, we broke ground on 127 additional acres across two properties to expand Community First! Village. This expansion will provide as many as 1400 additional homes and supporting neighborhood buildings.
For 25 years you have been the foundation for all that we do together in serving those who need us most. Through your partnership with us, you affirm our belief that housing alone will never solve homelessness, but community will. Thank you for being that community.
May you experience so many miracles this holiday season!
ALAN GRAHAM
