Helping Hands Fund

St. John’s has historically done a terrific job helping people in need through administration of our outreach funds. However, these funds focus on aiding people outside of our parish family, and we sometimes have parishioners that need some assistance as well.

In order to address this situation, the vestry has approved the creation of the Helping Hands Discretionary Fund for assisting St. John’s parishioners. This fund will not be a budgeted item, so at the present time it will rely entirely on discretionary contributions from parishioners who would like to contribute to our brothers and sisters in need. Disbursement of funds will be approved only by the Rector and Senior Warden in order to maintain confidentiality.

If you would like to make a donation to this worthy cause, please designate your gift to go to the Helping Hands Fund.

The Compassion Inn

The Compassion Inn is a transitional housing ministry of St. John’s where folks can live for three months rent and utility free and in the process, save enough money to put down on a place of their own.

This ministry began in October 1999, when the first client was referred to us by Dr. Suzanne Gray. Eula had been sleeping in her car. She stayed with us for three months and then moved back to California where her family resided.

The Compassion Inn consists of four apartments and a utility room with a washer and dryer situated directly behind the Youth House. The apartments are very small, consisting of a combined living room and kitchen, a bedroom and a bath.

Prospective tenants are interviewed by the Compassion Inn Board, consisting of a group of parishioners from St. John’s. If approved, they are asked to sign a contract stating they will follow some simple rules, such as no drugs or alcohol or overnight guests. The tenants are allowed to stay for three months in which time they should be able to save enough money to get back on their feet. They are invited to join St. John’s for worship and our life together but are not required to do so.

As of January, 2009, we have had 176 tenants, 128 adults and 48 children. Most have stayed three months but some for less.

The Compassion Inn is supported solely by St. John’s. The donations received from the parish (both goods and money) have allowed us to continue this ministry for ten years now.