From the Director… – Winter 2009

Dear Friends:

Grace and Peace to you!

As a new volunteer and I sat in the Side-By-Side Listening Space one morning, a young man entered wondering what the space was for.  We explained it was a place to have your story heard and to connect with yourself and your spirit.  He sat down and started sharing.  He had come home to Sacramento after several years living in another country.  He’d hoped to stay with his mother, but due to her mental state, she refused.  Unexpectedly homeless and without resources, he was camping in a tent on the river.  The man was lost, sad and  unsure of what to do.  We sat for a long time and listened deeply and then the tears finally broke through.  He let them come and said, “I’m glad I can cry,”  “Me too,” I said.

The gift of tears, the gift of being heard without judgment, the gift of a safe space is what we offer at Side-By-Side.  It is God’s gift through us.

In the past year, the steering committee for Side-By-Side has worked hard to refine our mission and vision.  We went to God in prayer and reflection about the  ministry and call, and worked with an organizational consultant to give us focus.  Side-By Side is ready to expand and is on the verge of doing so, and I, as director, am finally ready to accept the challenge of God to lead us into a broader mission.

Our newly refined mission statement is:  Side-By-Side ministries provide spiritual companionship for people who are homeless.  We are a resource for faith communities who desire to deepen their compassion for those who live on the margins of society.

In 2010, Side-By-Side will offer education, training, spiritual reflection and support for churches and individuals already serving the
homeless and for those who recognize God’s call to reach out to their street neighbors but don’t know how.  We will continue our listening ministry at Loaves & Fishes and expand to other homeless service organizations.  We are off to a good start with several new listening volunteers in training now.  It is an exciting time.

Also, I hope you notice the new logo on the newsletter masthead which will soon appear on everything you see from Side-By-Side.

Thank you for your gifts that make our ministry possible!  I hope you will continue to support Side-By-Side this coming year.  Our poorest sisters and brothers are counting on us being there.  I know we can count on you to make this happen.

With a grateful and humble listening heart,

Linda Kelly-Baker
Director