Be A Part of a Real Life Cinderella Story!
Shawn Waithe has been homeless for ten years. This 34-year-old man is now leaving the streets to become an intern with New York City Relief, to then go back to the streets to bring help and hope to the homeless he has lived amongst.
I wrote a series of articles about a few days I spent homeless on the streets with Shawn called Drifting With Darren. I changed his name to protect his identity, but reveal it to you now to ask you to become part of the story- Shawn’s story. Shawn needs monthly sponsors to partner with him for the next 12 months as he interns. In fact he doesn’t start until he has raised enough pledges to meet his budget of $750 a month.
After applying and interviewing with the NYCR leadership team, we feel led to have him join our team for the next 12 months as an intern. As an intern, Shawn will be working hard on the streets, serving under our Outreach Team Leaders to carry out our daily outreach to the homeless. He will also be mentored and discipled by our Director of Internship, Yaz Bellihomji as he studies and works through a discipleship curriculum. While interning, Shawn will live in an apartment with our staff.
After personally spending countless hours mentoring Shawn, I believe that he has what it takes to make it. Shawn sees this as an opportunity to get back on his feet and move forward. Shawn’s monthly budget of $750 includes $450 for housing and $300 for food, clothing, toiletries and personal needs. Can you help Shawn by becoming a monthly partner?
Shawn has been coming to The Relief Bus for 5 years. Almost two years ago he gave his life to Christ and entered into true life transformation. He began attending church and studying The Purpose Driven Life in a small group. Shawn then began volunteering on The Relief Bus. He joined an all-day strategic planning meeting with the leadership team and several of the board of directors of New York City Relief to give his insights into the world of the transient.
Shawn is an intelligent, college educated man who came out of an abusive and alcoholic home in Harlem. He fell down into the hole of hopelessness and by the grace of God is stepping up and out into his destiny. Shawn wants people to know that he has never been a criminal, an addict or mentally ill. He has supported himself for many years by working short-term jobs that he found through Craigslist. He is a kind and gentle man who is after God’s heart and ready to follow the calling upon his life.
All tax-deductible donations to partner with Shawn can be made here: www.give-relief.org. Please choose the monthly option and write Shawn Waithe Team in the designation field. Checks can be made out to New York City Relief. Please enclose a note that says Shawn Waithe Team. One-time gifts are also appreciated.
Shawn will write a regular newsletter to his support team to let you know what God is doing in and through him as he serves.
Thank you so much for considering becoming a part of this real life Cinderella story!
Entering The Heart Of The Homeless,
Juan Galloway
President
New York City Relief
Mail Checks to:
New York City Relief
295 Walnut Street
Elizabeth, NJ 07201
give@newyorkcityrelief.org
1-800-736-2773
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