what’s been happening since 1 night on the street (2007)

since the first 1 night on the street in november 2007, i’ve been trying to track the results.

but with an event as essentially organic as the one we pulled off, it’s been a little difficult. after the event, we tracked over 200 people who made a commitment to come volunteer with ministries in the city of cleveland.  within 2 months, phone calls i had received led me to believe that number had grown to over 400.  this info came back to me through partner ministries that were reporting what phone calls that came direct to them was generating.

feeding the folks in ohio city

then, in late february 2008, pastor robert powell invited me to an event at the lonnie burten rec center on the near east side.  lonnie burten is the centerpiece of what was one of america’s original ‘projects’ from the 1930′s.  it’s a tough neighborhood, to say the least.

when i walked in the door, i was greeted by people who had set up a clothing distribution station.  pastor powell took me to the kitchen when a huge meal was being prepared.  dozens of volunteers were making this old rec center buzz.  then came the best part: i was told that the volunteers i saw had come together from at least 12 churches from 3 different counties.

wow.

if i could have had a wish from the genie before the event in ohio city, i would have wished for what i was looking at. and so, if you ask me how many people have become a part of volunteering in the city as a result of 1 night on the street, i must admit…i haven’t got the slightest idea…and that’s ok…right?

african immigrants barbq-ing goat (it tastes like chicken @ trinity

in the late summer, i was asked to speak to the city mission’s ongoing series of community engagement (and networking) called toward a greater cleveland. i felt like a bit of an amateur in front of a gathering that had sunk their lives into joys and challenges of the city.  i was hopeful that what i would have to say wouldn’t fall flat…the question / answer / comment time ran so long the lunch was getting cold. there is great passion for a ‘greater cleveland’.

so…where do we go from here?

in 2009, i am planning for the return of 1 night on the street. one event will take place in akron…another city that has been hit hard in the last 18 months, and another city that is filled with ministries that have been slugging it out in the trenches for a long, long time…and could really use the volunteer help.

in cleveland, the effort could take more of a ‘big event’ form…i have something in the works that i’m hopeful about, we’ll just have to see how things develop.  as they say in my business – ‘stay tuned.’ my gratitude to all who have discovered the joy of the mission field…in their own back yard.

onward…mz

This entry was posted on Thursday, March 26th, 2009 at 4:56 pm and is filed under feature, media, purpose, thoughts. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.