Posts by Erin Rodriguez
THE STUFF YOU WERE GOING TO THROW OUT COULD SAVE LIVES
Here’s a statement that you may not have thought of: You can help save lives by donating your used textiles. Let me explain… It might come as a surprise to learn that the US generates just over 17 million tons of textile waste per year, according to the EPA. That adds up to around 112…
Read MoreWhere Families Turn in Times of Crisis
Recently, one of our newer guests became a heart-wrenching statistic. A mother with two teens had been living with her abuser for 9 years. A couple months ago, the abuse became bad enough that she called the police. Her significant other was arrested, and she and her children had no where to go. The police…
Read MoreWinter at PCM: Homelessness is not Seasonal
I recently shared in a TV commercial how, before working at the Mission, I had never talked to someone who became a homicide victim a few days later. Or, I met a child who had lived in a car for several months. Or, I had lunch with an elderly gentleman who had spent the last…
Read MoreThis Christmas, Kindness Starts with Me.
“Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:10-11 What wonderful news! God’s love for humanity shines brightly, and He has blessed us with the…
Read MoreBe the Thanks in their Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is for all of us, and that includes the man who feels broken in spirit, having burned bridges with family and friends. It also embraces the mom and her children searching for a safe place to land amidst their hardships. Every individual we serve at our shelter and Help Center is precious in God’s…
Read MoreDesperate and Out of Options: How a teen’s perseverance became her only hope for survival
When your kids are away, all sorts of things can happen. They can be bullied, a stranger might follow them, or perhaps they need to escape a bad date. Of course trafficking is always a potential danger too. This is why Safe Place was created. Safe Place is a national program that uses the symbol…
Read MoreKids Experiencing Homelessness Go Back to School
As the new school year approaches, we’re reminded of the mix of emotions it brings for many children. While it’s typically a time of excitement and anticipation, for those living at the Mission, it can be filled with uncertainty and anxiety. For our school-aged children currently residing here, the classroom isn’t just a place oflearning…
Read MoreEven good dads can struggle with homelessness.
I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to share with you two stories that epitomize the resilience and determination of families facing homelessness in our community. They are stories of hope, perseverance, and the unwavering love of fathers for their families. Trusting God for his family’s future For the last two months, a…
Read MoreBalancing Motherhood and Homelessness
These are challenging times. Everyone is feeling the sting of rising costs of just about everything we need to live. Many of us have questions about what the future will look like, for ourselves and for our children. Now imagine all of those same feelings, but without a home to call your own. Mothers experiencing…
Read MoreWe found proof of what some thought was impossible.
This spring we are celebrating the completion of the first year of our drug relapse program, Breakout, with the graduation of three hard working, dedicated students. This is no ordinary graduation. Homelessness can create significant barriers to accessing treatment for substance use disorders. Lack of stable housing, limited financial resources, and social stigma may prevent…
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