CAMP RESTORATION

Hello, Since 2010, my eyes have been opened to the chronic state of homelessness all around me.  It dawned on me that people who live on the streets are PEOPLE, just like me, who have a hope and a future planned for them of God, but they are snared by circumstances often out of their control (loss of a spouse or a job-and by sickness, disease and addiction.      Getting involved by starting a coat drive initially got me started...and then I started getting involved with local shelters, where during the extreme cold months of winter the homeless are able to come inside out of the elements, receive a meal and a bed (or a spot on the floor) and the family unitl was divided-'dad' had to go in the men's ward, while little children went with their 'mom's in the women's ward...and then they had to leave in the early morning, and do it all over again.  No therapy, no counseling, no real relationship or lasting solution...   But all along, the 'seed' of 'CAMP RESTORATION' was taking root.  No longer satisfied with giving out band-aids (though we ARE still actively doing so-giving out food and clothing and toiletry bags to the homeless)...I started looking for the 'root' of the problem.  And being a problem solver, I prayed and asked for God's guidance and direction-and He gave me this vision.   So-we are creating a PERMANENT HOMELESS SHELTER, called 'CAMP RESTORATION' with a model that can be reproduced in other areas.   We are in the process of obtaining a 501 (3) C nonprofit status, and finalizing the formation of our Board of Directors and Bylaws which have been in formation the last year and 1/2.   CAMP RESTORATION is a place where people can come for a year's time and have a safe place to land and receive the love of God and support from trained professionals to reset their lives by the Word of God, be mentored and ministered to, learn job skills, and rehabilitate back into productive lives.  The 'camp' will consist of camp-like wooden cabins, rudementary in design, with 4 bunks to a cabin.   There will be 4 women cabins, 4 men cabins, 4 family cabins, and 4 mission cabins.  In addition, there will be a Family Life Center where the kitchen and dining hall will be, as well as where the Worship Center will be.  At the end of this will be the Camp Office and Camp Director's Cabin.   CAMP RESTORATION will have a large garden, live chickens for eggs, and fruit trees to help with produce and fresh fruit and eggs to help feed the camp residents.   There will be a THRIFT STORE on premises as well to help raise funds for future monthly operational costs, and the Camp Residents will be encouraged to help work at the store as part of their restoration process.  There will be an intake application process-only those who are serious about getting back on their feet will be permitted to become a resident-there will be 'camp rules' to enforce the safety of all, and the primary operating force will be the Love of God and love for one another.    Once our CAMP RESIDENTS are 'restored and made whole again, there will be an exiting process of helping them find employment and housing, and the mentoring process will continue for 18 months after they leave CAMP.  We will ask that the residents volunteer 200 hours back to CAMP RESTORATION once they rotate out.   We plan on opening up CAMP RESTORATION for a place for Youth Groups and Church Groups to come serve on increments of 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks, 4 weeks, or the entire summer on a volunteer basis.  We plan on scheduling several medical mission FREE clinics per year and house in Doctors, Dentists and Nurses to assist with the medical care our residents will be in need of, of course utilizing existing resources first.   We are raising funds now to purchase the land we need.  We have a target date of July 28th 2015 for our funds to be raised to purchase the land (and cover cost of clearing, permits, etc).  Once this is done, we will begin fundraising for funds to BUILD OUR CABINS AND FAMILY LIFE CENTER!  THEN WE WILL LOOK FOR FUNDS AND GRANTS TO HIRE STAFF AND CAMP DIRECTOR, AND BEGIN TO PUT OUR VISION INTO REALITY and start changing the face of the homeless, restore lives, one person at a time!   Please consider giving to this VERY worthy cause.  Jesus Himself tells us we are to do this in Matthew 25:35-40.  By changing a life, we are changed for the better in the process.   Feel free to visit our growing Facebook page, www.facebook.com/wearethechurch .   Thank you for reading and GOD BLESS YOU! Sincerely,   Wendy Roundy