7 Jul 2005 We forgot our differences and helped the homeless FAIRFIELD DAILY REPUBLIC
  by Rev. Jerry De Jong  

 

 It should have never worked. In 1999 a small group of people from different faith traditions gathered together to form the Interfaith Council of Solano County. It was the hope of the newly formed council to become an advocate and voice for the disinherited and dispossessed of Suisun and Fairfield and our surrounding communities. It was and is our belief that regardless of what might separate us one from another, common ground would always be found in serving God and serving the people.

Now interfaith dialogue can be hard work and many good people of faith are not interested in being a part of it, for it means you must be willing to really listen to one another and to really listen to another means you are willing to learn. Each member of the Interfaith Council would tell you they have experienced a quickening of their our own faith as they have shared and learned and worked with our brothers and sisters of all colors and cultures and theological beliefs. Sikh, Jewish, Muslim, Christian, Catholic, Latter-day Saints, once you have shared in prayer with someone, once you have heard even a piece of their story, they can no longer be a stranger.

All of the world's great faiths carry a heart of compassion where the instruction to serve and help others is a moral imperative. About two years after the Interfaith Council was formed the city of Fairfield approached us and asked if we would be willing to take over the day to day operation of the Fairfield homeless shelter as the then contractor could no longer manage. It was a leap of faith. It should have never worked. With just $2,000 in the bank and a small loan from another local nonprofit, the Interfaith Council said yes.

Four years later the shelter and housing on Ohio Street in Fairfield has been completely transformed. It's amazing what can happen when people of faith work together. It is amazing what can happen when individuals and families who are homeless and struggling, find a home. Since 2001 a lot of love and hope and support have been shared through Heather House and the Interfaith Council. We've provided our guests with more than 16,000 bed nights and over 48,000 meals. We've see 47 percent of all guests who successfully complete the Heather House program move into permanent housing. More than 45 percent of our guests are children. So you'll find Heather House has a children's playground and a learning center.

We partner with local housing providers, other nonprofit agencies and local, state and federal agencies to provide a comprehensive program including case managers, job developers, tutors and life skill classes. In other words, whatever these families or individuals need to regain their dignity, their hope and their lives.

Let's hear what some recent graduates of the program had to say.

"Heather House has changed my whole outlook on the world and people and has given me a new determination to succeed and become anything my heart and dreams desire. I want to give back to others what I have been given, a 'chance' to pick up the pieces and start again. I truly thank God for all the people and staff who makes the Heather House not just a great shelter, but a home."

"When my husband and I first came to the Heather House we were living in our van and just getting clean from methamphetamine, we had lost our kids, they were in foster care. Since being at Heather House we have stayed clean, obtained employment and even gotten our kids back. The staff at Heather House has truly been a Godsend. Without their support and advice I don't know where we would be today."

There is an old saying, "Give a person a fish, and you feed them for a day; teach a person to fish, and you feed them for a lifetime." Help us feed people for a lifetime. By giving of yourself, your time, your money, your talents you save lives from hopelessness, from homelessness and from despair. Join us, as together we serve God and serve others.

Jerry De Jong is the pastor of the United Church of Christ in Suisun City and can be reached at 425-6330 or sfucc@msn.com.

Here's how you can help Heather House and the Interfaith Council help others. Call 427-8518 and ask to speak to Linda Mahoney, our capable and deeply caring executive director. Tell her you would like to volunteer at the shelter. Tell her you would like to volunteer for the board of directors. Write a check. Donate food, clothing, furniture or household goods. Come and play in the Sons of Norway golf tournament on July 29 where all the proceeds will benefit Heather House programs. Visit our Web site at interfaithconcilsolanocounty.org or stop by Heather House at 724 Ohio St., we're happy to have you visit and learn more about the program. 
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