Our very own Russ Carter, blue shirt in the photo with Matt Bruce, has been asked to join Costa Mesa's Homeless task force, can can read more about that here: http://www.ocregister.com/news/homeless-284714-task-force.html
The timing is perfect because we are really moving forward with the "Street to Feet" program that Chris Anders started a year ago. Our hope is to see 100 volunteers get the training necessary to truly help offer hand-ups instead of hand-outs. Now with the cities like Costa Mesa forming partnerships with us, we can really change a community.
Street to feet training is this Sunday, Jan. 23 at 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
We will be holding a family-friendly gathering at our Rancho Capistrano campus that you won't want to miss. We are planning to spend the first hour or so eating and visiting with each other with a potluck. There should be about 20 to 30 people and the menu is up to you.
The second portion of the gathering will be about the "Street to Feet" training curriculum. Dave McSwain, one of the leaders at our Santa Ana location, will facilitate the meeting and Matt Bruce will present a rough draft of the training. Let me tell you a little about Matt Bruce, so you can see why, I feel that we are so blessed to have him helping us shape the next phase of our ministry.
Matt graduated from Huntington University (small Christian school in Indiana) with a B.A. in Psychology. Worked 3 1Ž2 years as a Child/Adolescent Case Manager (and later as Team Leader and Juvenile Court Liaison) for a Community Mental Health Center in Indiana providing services to children and families with mental health and behavioral problems. Earned Master of Social Work degree at Azusa Pacific University, completing internships as a Hospice Social Worker and then as a Grant Writer at the Orange County Rescue Mission. Completed several Graduate School papers and projects on the issue of homelessness. Spent several months serving as a volunteer as Union Rescue Mission on Skid Row in LA as well as developing a number of personal relationships with homeless individuals in the city of Azusa. Served as the Missions and Outreach Pastor at Foothill Church in Glendora during final year of Master’s program. Currently serving as a Community PEACE Coordinator at Saddleback Church.
Thank you for making the love of Christ tangible for those how have no place to call home!
Max McGhee
