Luonne Rouse asked Deb Richardson-Moore:

Dear Deborah: What is it that we are continuing to fail to hear in the United States, specific to the homeless or economic disparities? What from your experience is the something care providers need to render constructive and not deconstructive social ministries?

Deb Richardson-Moore I think we've been too focused on giving away "stuff" -- food, clothes, toiletries, tents, sleeping bags, bus tickets, etc. We've made people good or comfortable at being homeless, when our goal should be to get them out of homelessness. That takes, for the most part, professional staffing. When churches ask me what to do, I advise them to hire a social worker. Those in-depth, intentional, messy relationships are what moves people. Not more stuff.

We offer twice-a-week Round Tables with our social workers for anyone who wants to contemplate next steps. And our year-long Triune Circles offers five trained volunteers to encircle a person. But again, they don't rescue with material items. They give encouragement, support, advice, love.

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