On Shelter offers GIFTS to homeless men and community in its first season

Posted on May 12 at 2:35 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

Part 3

To the poster, prejudice, hatred and false information have no place in community problem solving. If you have come up with any ideas that can help, we’d love to hear from you. If you’d like to take action, rather than just complain, we invite you to join us.
I will, once again, invite you to learn more about your brothers in need. Learn about the people living right here in your town that could use your help. The schedule for next season will be online. If you’d like to call me directly, my number is 751-7848. Pray that someone like GIFTS is still there if you or someone you know needs the love of a fellow human being. Many folks are just one paycheck away from being our guest. We will love them, and you.

God Bless You!
-Paul Benish

On Shelter offers GIFTS to homeless men and community in its first season

Posted on May 12 at 2:34 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

Part 2
1) 1,000 “participants” kind of speaks to collective wisdom and kindness of Janesville doesn’t it? In-kind donations were things like church goers preparing meals that they would share with the guests. It also included basic necessities such as toothpaste, deodorant and underwear and clothing. This sharing and getting to know the guys vanquished the initial skepticism and fear that many volunteers had. What a concept, getting to know them and learning about their circumstances before judging them. And Cash? In the first season, we spent a grand total of $799.74. This was for items such as pre-paid cell phones and a PO Box so that they could apply for jobs. Think about it. When the guys fill out a job application, the first 3 lines are A) Name, B) Address, C) Phone Number. They had the first one. We also bought shower supplies and additional bedding. What do you think it would have cost to have the government run a program with 1,000 workers? We have made a conscious decision to NOT accept taxpayer money. Inefficient and ineffective? Now she’s just making stuff up. We’ll love her anyway. Out of the 70+ guests, there were 2 that were with us every night. Even those 2 (less than 3%) cannot claim that it is more than temporary. They must find alternatives after May 4. If I were homeless and broke, how long would it take to become un-homeless? Find a job, buy necessities, save for the 1st month’s rent, last months rent, security deposit, plus food and utilities and furnishings… I don’t think I could do it in 5 months. Let’s talk about the financial competency and management ability of those involved with GIFTS, shall we? I am a Certified Financial Planner® Practitioner. I’ve been in the banking and investment business for over 15 years now. We also have accountants, attorneys, Social Service professionals and teachers. Combine that with the collective wisdom of over 1,000 other dedicated volunteers. We’ll love her anyway.
Nowhere did the article say that “Benish finds only the Christian community is to be applauded”. Again, the poster is just making stuff up. We’ll love her anyway. Be assured that this WAS inspired by the teachings of Jesus Christ. In the parable of the Good Samaritan, He instructs us to “Go and do likewise”. And in Matthew 25:40; “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” By seeing people of many different faiths joining forces, working together regardless of affiliation, we really did see the walls of separation begin to come down. I think we’ve addressed all of the “less than positive” aspects that were brought up. (continued)

On Shelter offers GIFTS to homeless men and community in its first season

Posted on May 12 at 2:32 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

This may take more than one post.

Merriam-Webster defines prejudice as: (1): preconceived judgment or opinion (2): an adverse opinion or leaning formed without just grounds or before sufficient knowledge b: an instance of such judgment or opinion c: an irrational attitude of hostility directed against an individual, a group, a race, or their supposed characteristics

Until now, I have ignored the hateful and prejudicial comments of a certain poster. It seems as though, every time there is an article on something good in this community, this poster is right there spewing hatred and ignorance. I thought to myself, “Well, she just doesn’t understand. We will love her anyway. She will see how this will be a good thing. After the first season, she’ll know that the GIFTS ministry is inspired by Christ’s love and that it’s well run.”

With prejudice being irrational hostility formed without just grounds or before sufficient knowledge, I will try to enlighten the poster. Let’s look at her latest posting. I’ll reference the numbers in the posting and you can follow along:
1) The fact is, during the first season, we made exactly zero calls to the police department for any type of incident involving shelter guests. That’s none, nada, zip. On the occasions when the Janesville Police Department did visit the shelter, it was for one of 2 reasons. The first is that, in the process of conducting our normal background checks, we informed them that we had someone they were looking for. Our policy states that, in those instances, for the safety of the guests, the volunteers, the facilities and the neighborhoods, we will let the police know. We are told that the police appreciate the help in easily locating these individuals. The second reason they visited was after the police sought our help. There were instances when they had found someone, walking the streets or living under a bridge that was cold, hungry and tired, with no place to go. They wanted to bring him in for shelter.

The “costs to those living near the shelters” is non-existent. We take great care to minimize any impact. In fact, when the shelter was scheduled to debut near this poster’s neighborhood, I hand delivered a message to her home. It explained the ministry, invited her to volunteer or just come for a visit to see for herself. I also included my personal cell phone number for her to call if she had any questions, concerns or issues. To date, she has not called. We will love her anyway. (continued)