Tag

Atlanta Metro Task Force for the Homeless

Terence Lester
In 50 Day Count Down, Homelessness, Journey, Life-dares, Movement of Doers, Raising Awareness, Serve, Transform

The Count Down Begins (Day 50)

Today, I got up extremely early (4AM) to think about how hard of a challange this is going to be (my next awareness campaign)…Yes, it will be just as hard as going homeless for 72 hours. As a matter of fact, this has got to be the second most daring thing I have ever attempted to do to raise awareness about a community of people that I care so much about (the homeless community).

It is so challenging, that I am literally having to lose 30lbs before I attempt to do what I feel God is placing on my heart to do. Why? Because in order for this to work, I must transform myself too (and get healthy). Over the last few years, I have become overweight due to stress, over-eating, and simply because I love to “throw down” in the kitchen…LOL. However, that must stop!!!!! (If you are an eater, you can relate)

IMG_0298Starting today I am going to attempt to lose tons of pounds by eating right, and excersing (something that I have started and stopped for a long time).

Many people are probably wondering why I am doing things to raise awareness about homelessness… Well, like I tell everyone I meet…

Imagine being a person who could not speak up for yourself…

Imagine being a person who had a story that nobody hears or cares about…

Imagine being looked down upon by society and only loved on by a few…

Imagine endless possibilities of hopelessness…See my heart yet?

I envision #lovebeyondwalls being a non-profit agency that echoes the voices of the unheard…overlooked…and outcasted…

Therefore, whatever extremes I have to take to help people’s stories to be heard, I am going to do it. I am giving my life to this (MLK said give your life to something and die for it…) However, isn’t this what Jesus did? He roamed the earth standing up for a world far from right-standing with God, and gave his life so that people could be reconciled and restored back to God. And, if this is true…I am following Jesus.

There are three reasons why I am losing weight:

1) If I don’t lose weight…this campaign may kill me.

2) If I don’t lose weight…this campaign may not be completed.

3) If I don’t lose weight…this campaign will be extremely hard.

Are you wondering what it is yet? Well, track along with me until mid-January to find out…I am releasing the next #lovebeyondwalls awareness campaign!

Today, is Day 1 on my “50 Day Count Down” as I attempt to get myself together before trying to accomplish the unimaginable for my homeless friends. 

Terence

Terence Lester
In Blankets & Socks, Campaigns, Collaboration, Homelessness, Movement of Doers, Project5K, Raising Awareness, Serve

What To Do With 6K Socks?

So, a few have asked “What are you going to do with all those socks…?” 

Below is my answer…

For the next two Saturdays (Jan 11th & Jan 18th 8AM-10AM), we are going to mob out into the streets of Atlanta to pass out every sock that we collected this past Saturday (to our brothers and sisters who live on the streets). We are asking people to come out with us to join a few members on our team distribute these socks….

How will this be different? Simple. Our approach is different…

Instead of the normal passing out things and leaving, we want to encourage people who serve with us to discover stories, learn needs, and build relationships. A restorative work cannot happen if trust and a relationship is not established. Additionally, we are creating consistency among this important population, not events.

I envision #lovebeyondwalls being both a mobilization agency (of doers) but also a collaborative organization that partners with other groups and individuals who desire to make a difference in the world (not one time a year, but every single day).

If you’d like to serve with us the coming two Saturdays, hit us up [HERE] or shoot an email to the email on the flyer…

QUOTE1212

Terence

 

Terence Lester
In Blogging Journey, Collaboration, Diversity, Education, Homelessness, Interview, Movement of Doers, Raising Awareness,

Snippet Interview @ Relevant Church

Below is a snippet from the interview at Relevant Church… Pastor Carl asked me to give closing remarks about this tweet:

2013-12-24 16.58.17

Below is the snippet…

Terence

[embedplusvideo height=”500″ width=”500″ editlink=”http://bit.ly/19PSRe0″ standard=”http://www.youtube.com/v/xtz_iKbd28I?fs=1″ vars=”ytid=xtz_iKbd28I&width=500&height=500&start=&stop=&rs=w&hd=0&autoplay=0&react=1&chapters=&notes=” id=”ep8059″ /]
Terence Lester
In Blankets & Socks, Collaboration, Homelessness, Movement of Doers, Resources, Serve

All This Week (Blankets & Socks)!

I got up early to write like I normally do, and I could not stop thinking about all the men and women who I encountered downtown who do not have anywhere to stay at night (my homeless friends).

Why? Because it is freezing cold! As I lay in my warm bed, I am uncomfortable at the same time. It bothers me that some of my friends do not have anywhere to go, and that some do not have enough blankets, socks, and other items to keep them from freezing to death. While thinking about this harsh reality, I am pained with this gut-wrenching question,

“How many homeless people die during the winter because they lack shelter or blankets?”

Looking at the temperature on google does not make it any better this morning…

Screen Shot 2014-01-06 at 7.24.40 AMThe other day #lovebeyondwalls took firewood to many of my friends under the bridge because of how cold it was!securedownload

With that being said, our team will be going out every night this week to distribute blankets, socks, and identify places where our friends can find shelter.

If you have any blankets, or would like to partner please contact us [HERE].

We’d love to meet you, work with you, and help spread warmth during this cold winter season!

Terence

Terence Lester
In Campaigns, Collaboration, Homelessness, Journey, Movement of Doers, Project5K, Purpose

Rain, Socks, & 45 Degree Weather!

Right now,

It’s hard knowing that some of my friends who are homeless have on absolutely no socks during the winter! How do I know? Because I spoke to one the other day. Below is the picture I snapped yesterday outside (in 45 Degree Weather):

2013-12-31 12.52.49

People have asked me, “Why are you doing this…?”

Well, to be honest I CARE. It is just that simple.

I care that there are men and women who live downtown and have no place to go,

I care about the stories that I heard while sleeping under bridges, and

I care that it is tough to survive without the proper necessities.

I know I can’t save everyone (I’m no savior), but I can follow Jesus into the wild and show the compassion he showed. When I read the Bible, I’m ignited with the passion that Jesus had when he saw broken people in his palestinian context. There’s a verse that I love found in Matthew 9:36 (NASB). It says,

“Seeing the people, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd.”

Two things stand out to me…First, he saw! Jesus saw the brokenness of the people, and he sympathized and empathized with their pain.

Secondly, he move. He stood up, and met all the needs he could… He befriended the broken, cared for those who were distressed, and loved the unloveable.

That’s our mission with #lovebeyondwalls! We want to build a #lovearmy that loves people where they are! NO MOTIVES, NO GIMMICKS!

With that being said, It is raining and many homeless people do not have on socks today! We are trying to raise 5K pairs of socks to resource our brothers and sisters with socks to aid them in their survival on the streets. You can view the story the story about why we are doing this [HERE]

Take socks two the two locations on the flyer below, or give to us on our [GIVE] page! Thanks for your continued support.

Terence

5k

 

 

Terence Lester
In Blogging Journey, Collaboration, Education, Homelessness, Journey, Raising Awareness, Reflective

72 Hours & Collaboration

Over the last week, I have received calls from all over: L.A., New York, Kentucky, Texas, Tennessee, Alabama, Virginia, and a few other states. Many people from these states are talking about possible collaborative efforts, and wanted to know how #lovebeyondwalls could come to those states to help raise awareness.

Although we are pacing ourselves here in the city of Atlanta, I learned something very important about homelessness (in my 72 Hours), what it will take to combat it, how we can help those who are living on the streets without any resources or means, and what it will take to raise awareness across this country about this epidemic.

It takes collaboration! It takes an army of people banded together taking #lovebeyondwalls to make a difference in this sensitive area. Why? Because homelessness is a vast issue. There are many causes for homelessness in the United States: Addiction, Poverty, Job-loss, Foreclosures, Mental health, Lack of affordable housing, Domestic Violence, and a host of other social issues.

n6KjYIunBY-6_vjceLV505TD-_YOsR9hHYyx0EPoh3MIn fact, a stat shows that out of the 300+ million people that live in the United States 3.5 million of those people are expected to be homeless each year (stat taken from homeaid.org). This isn’t something a few organizations, or a couple people passing out sandwiches can handle alone. This epidemic will take people from all sorts of industries, churches, faith communities, backgrounds, and neighborhoods to come up with solutions to this problem (and work together not individually). Will it be easy? No. But, it will have to start in the trenches (grassroots), and expand nationally.

It’s just as my IG friend Arkeedah McCormick says, “Collaboration is truly amazing! You get to meet, listen, and engage with many individuals and hear their stories.”

Collaboration will do three things:

1) Create strength. Unity is a powerful tool, and has the ability to provide strength to any movement or cause.

2) Create resources. No one person or organization has all the resources, but through collaboration and unity strength and resources appear.

3) Create a voice. When people band together to take #lovebeyondwalls, the voiceless are heard, and their issues are discussed.

In 2014, #lovebeyondwalls will partner with people from all over to make a difference, and raise more awareness about homelessness in the city of Atlanta, and in the United States. If you are reading this, and would like to partner contact us [HERE].

A few days ago, #lovebeyondwalls mobilized 300+ people to resource people with food, clothes, and other items to survive on the streets in downtown Atlanta. It took collaboration!

Check out the video showing the collaborative efforts below:

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Terence

Terence Lester
In Homelessness, Journey, Purpose, Raising Awareness, Reflective

Five Questions You Must Ask Yourself!

This morning, I’m reflecting on what made me take the step toward going homeless to raise awareness… Believe it or not, it was a list of five questions I asked myself concerning my purpose and direction. I asked myself these questions to gain clarity, and narrow in on what I feel God was calling me to (my area of service)!

Are you searching for clarity when it comes to direction in life? Below are five simple questions you can ask yourself that will push you to think deeply and reflect about where you are headed and what you should get involved in.

  1. Where am I? (This will cause you to reflect on the realities of where you are)
  2. Where am I going? (This will cause you to reflect on your desired destination)
  3. Do I have a map? (This will cause you to reflect on what steps are needed to get to where you are going)
  4. Whose going with me? (This will cause you think about what people are needed to mentor, guide, and support you on the journey)
  5. When do I start? (This will cause you to set a start date & time on when you will take the first step(s) toward where you’d rather be)

 

If you are to continue gaining clarity about your life’s direction, you’ll have to wrestle with these questions at various places and seasons in your life. Why? Because questioning causes you to gain more clarity, and God uses clarity to direct paths (Proverbs 3:5-6).

By thinking deeply about these questions, not only was #lovebeyondwalls born, but my focus areas and passions where made clear.

I’m not raising awareness for myself, I have chosen to raise awareness to help others. When I die, I want to leave this earth knowing I did not consume, but gave!

QUOTE2

Terence

Terence Lester
In Campaigns, Education, Homelessness, Movement of Doers, Raising Awareness

72 Hours & Last Pair of Socks

This morning, I am inspired to try to raise support for my friends in downtown Atlanta who are homeless. Why? It’s simple. When I gave up my life to live with them for three days, I purposely did not take anything. I wanted to wear their shoes first-hand and experience all that they experienced (AND I DID). While out there, my shoes and socks got wet because it rained one night.

It was horrible because it is winter time, and it made my feet feel like little popsicles (because of the strong winds). Could you imagine being in 30 degree weather without socks (or with wet socks)?

My homeless friend Tony saw my problem, went into his tent, and gave me his last pair of new socks someone donated to him. “How are you going to get some more socks?” I asked. He smiled and said, “I don’t know, I’ll figure something out.”

Did I mention that this same guy has HIV, and has not had medication in two months because his former state has not transferred his records (story for a later blog)? I shed tears with this brother, am inspired by this brother, and want to do all I can to get him and others socks and medication.

Not only was I humbled, but I was blown away at his genoristy, selflessness, and humility. It took courage to give out of nothingness, and even more courage to be strong for me when he said, “I am dying…”  

It reminds me of a parable by Jesus told in the scriptures (Luke 10) about the Good Samaritan who helped the man who fell on hard times (only I was the man who had fallen, and my homeless friend was the Samaritan).

Isn’t it amazing that we all have the potential to be Jesus to each other? Isn’t it amazing that we all have the power to be equals in Christ? My friend became Jesus to me as the Samaritan did the guy who had fallen.

With this being said, I need your help raising 5K pairs of socks. #lovebeyondwalls wants to provide socks for all of the men and women who may be on the streets right now with no socks in the winter time.

Here’s three simple ways you can help (we are calling this #project5K):

1) Call me (Terence) directly to meet you… My number is 404-955-8033

2) Give on this site, or

3) Drop socks off at either one of the locations found on the flyer below:

5k

Terence

Terence Lester
In Blogging Journey, Education, Homelessness, Journey, Raising Awareness, Sociology

72 Hours & A bunch of No's

I’m having a bit of a struggle processing all that I experienced while living on the streets for three days…

Mean mugs, getting put out of places, being talked down to, being viewed as an animal, being rejected repeatedly, people looking at you like you are strange, hearing awful statements thrown at you like rocks from people walking down the street, and workers in shelters treating you poorly (people who are supposed to care)…

“Get out of my way, and get a job…” Some random guy told me.

“Hell no, I’m not going to give your lazy ass nothing…” A woman screamed.

“All of you all smell…” This young corporate executive yelled.

“Let’s cross the street…” A lady said as we were approaching their group.

All these words and more felt like NO’S!!!!

2013-12-24 21.11.17-2Could you imagine not only being down, but being stepped on constantly and reminded that you are less than (an outcast even…)? Well, I believe that’s how the homeless feel. Not all of them have drug problems, steal, or are mentally ill. Most of them are decent people (and have big hearts).

How are you supposed to climb out of a ditch of homelessness when everything (including the system) reminds you that you can’t and that you don’t belong?

The second night, I was put out of a homeless shelter lobby when trying to charge my phone. I asked the worker, “Can I please charge my phone, it’s cold outside (40 degrees)..I need to have it on for safety…”

The man ripped my phone out of the wall, and told me “Get out now…I don’t want to tell your ass again…If you have a problem with it…take it up with the white man (excuse the language I’m not racist). Don’t look at me, I’m just doing my job.”

However, I persisted, “Sir, could I please charge my phone…It’s cold and I have no where else to go.”

He looked at me, and said the most hurtful statement I believe any homeless person could hear. He said, “Don’t get mad at me because of the life you are living…”

What if I was just down on my luck and was homeless temporarily?

What if I lost my home in a fire?

What if I wasn’t a drug addict or had a mental health illness?

What if I were really trying to get off the streets?

All the rejecting moments above screamed NO!!!!!

2013-12-24 22.08.24-1That one worker and many others I encountered treated me and my friends like trash, and it hurt. Why? Because I have friends that are homeless, and there is no hope in rejection, being viewed as the scum of the earth, or being treated like an animal.

Today, I blog to release the hurt, and share that I am going to do all I can to raise awareness through #lovebeyondwalls and do my best to find my friends some help to get them off the streets.

Below is a video taken from one of my homeless friends sharing about homeless people,

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I ask that you give [HERE] to help this organization raise more awareness about these awful injustices.

Terence