"Could you address the homeless population, specifically, what are the reasons people have no permanent home? How did they get there, and is it a preference for some? What role does mental illness play in this category of residents?"

            We work with men, women and families who have no one or no place to turn to. Without someone to help, they are left living on the streets, in the woods or in their vehicles. Many are hungry and without any funds. Their sole possessions in some cases are the clothes they wear and a backpack of other personal items.

            Homeless clients come from all socio-economic levels. We see people of different backgrounds, education levels, ethnicity, race, religion and economic distinctions. Most prevalent among the clients is addiction to drugs or alcohol. Some are confused about their sexual orientation, while others have compulsions for pornography, prostitution, theft and other sins. Left to their own reasoned actions they find themselves in a downward spiral of their sinfulness. Family and friends have distanced themselves from the clients. Jobs have been lost as well as much of their possessions. When they come to our doors most are desperate and without hope.

            The clients we take in are referred to us by many different sources. Individuals, businesses, churches, hospitals, jails, neighbors, family members or co-workers send us these people. Sometimes they are dropped off by caring citizens in our community. Other times we have grandparents living in our community who pay for grandchildren to travel from other states to enter our New Life Programs. In all cases, God makes a way for them to find their way to Jericho Road Ministries.

            Mental illness among the homeless is also a great concern. The term alone means many things to many people. Some of the homeless need hospital or immediate medical attention in order to meet their needs. Many of these clients have no access to prescription medications that can help to stabilize and make clear their thinking and actions. Others self-medicate with alcohol or illegal drugs. Some mental illness is directly attributable to their homelessness and the body’s inability to function properly without proper nutrition and hygiene. Our staff is aware of these varied causes and effects of mental illness and work to help clients attain the proper care to meet these needs. There are times when we will refer some of these clients to area hospitals and/or mental health facilities and services.