journal SUMMER 2020 VOLUME 2 ISSUE 2

Love God. Serve People.

YOUNG AND HOMELESS

At 19 years old, "Jenny" found herself

homeless. She did not have a driver’s

license and had worn out her welcome

at her friends after a lot of couch

surfing. Jenny’s lack of confidence and

low self-esteem added to her

challenges. Jenny's cousins helped her

find the support she needed. They

helped her study for the driver’s

license exam and brought her to The

Journey Home. Jenny has her own

place to live now, her driver’s license,

scored extremely high on the ACT and

has a full scholarship to MTSU. She

knows she has a home and can focus

her attention on getting her degree.

Often, youth homelessness is linked to

family conflict. Many of the youth

have experienced significant trauma

before and after becoming homeless.

There are many factors that lead to

homeless youth - human trafficking,

exploitation, pregnant and parenting

youth, youth with special needs or

disabilities and youth of color. The

Journey Home celebrates Jenny's

accomplishments. The Journey Home

serves youth 18 years and older.

Follow up on this story: An MTSU

professor heard about Jenny and is

providing mentoring while she attends

MTSU. This will help Jenny build her

confidence while attending classes

helping her succeed.

Please note: While the story is factual,

the names and photos represent a

likeness of those featured in the story.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Michael O'Bannon, Chair

Roseann Barton, Vice Chair

Courtney Cops, Secretary

Lynn Watson. Treasurer

Scott Foster, Executive Director

Gloria Bonner

David Cates

Alee Clark

David Coggin

Lisbeth Couser

Greg Garr

Jeff James

Brien Littles

Todd Miller

Alesia Normand

Chuck Phillips

Geneva Poss

Bill Reid

Nancy Roark

Ron Washington

Julie Zubkus

IN THIS ISSUE

Volunteer Opportunities

From our Executive Director Scott

Foster: How The Journey Home is

responding to COVID-19

Cares Act Makes Way for a 2020

“Above the Line” Tax Deduction

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Raises

Funds for Supportive Housing

Answers to Your Questions

VOLUNTEER

Being homeless brings daily challenges that are interconnected and impact every aspect of a person's life. The Journey Home believes that lasting change occurs when we meet a person at their point of need, help them set goals, improve their education and life skills, address their health and self-worth needs, and secure jobs and stable housing. Above all, it requires the hope and strength found in a relationship with Jesus Christ and a community of caring volunteers.

From our Executive Director Scott Foster

COVID-19 has certainly made 2020 a year

that most of us would like to forget! The

health issues, difficulties adapting to ever-

changing guidelines, economic chaos and

the absence of most things social seem to

have us both anxious and frustrated most

of the time. There are some things

though that COVID-19 has helped me remember – things I

hope not to soon forget.

I’m reminded that we need each other. We’ve missed so

many of our volunteers over these months. Many need to

take precautions, but we still miss their hospitality and

fellowship and look forward to serving together again

soon. When I talk to clients and volunteers alike, they miss

each other. I hope we will all remember that it’s not

simply food or clothes or housing that we provide around

here, but caring high-quality relationships that are valued

and appreciated through the fellowship that naturally

occurs at The Journey Home.

I’m reminded that we’re all more alike than different. We

all have concerns, and when challenged, come together to

improve everyone’s circumstances. We all long to get back

to normal. We search for truth but are so easily distracted

from the truth that God is our fortress in troubling times.

I’m reminded that God designed protection for our bodies

when we’re vulnerable. Our immune systems are so

complex and adaptive. We’ve had very few health issues

in our homeless community during this crisis. He’s also

created fine minds and passionate people to work on

medical treatments and disinfectants and distance

learning and research and policies and sewing masks and

ZOOM meetings. Community is a God thing.

I’m reminded whether we’re physically together or apart,

we can be intentional about praying for each other. We

can take inventory of all the gifts God has given us and

explore what we can do, even when we can’t just “show

up”. Scripture says we’ll face a lot of trials. I hope we are

always mindful and remember that God has and will

always be our provision in those trials.

Love God. Serve People.

ST. PAUL’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH

INVESTS IN HOUSING NEIGHBORS IN NEED $23,845 in important funds will go to support services in Rutherford County

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church recently

presented The Journey Home with a

$23,845 gift to further the efforts of

the nonprofit’s housing program. The

funding was raised through the Take

Root Luncheon, a fundraiser hosted by

members of the congregation earlier

in the year.

The funding received from St. Paul’s

Episcopal Church will be used to

expand The Journey Home’s housing

program to serve the disadvantaged in

Rutherford County like low-income

seniors, homeless families with

children, veterans and the disabled.

The Take Root Luncheon was

spearheaded by Liz Huber, Community

Relations Outreach for St. Paul’s along

with a committee of volunteers. “The

Journey Home has been a part of our

ministry for many years,” commented

Huber, “I am grateful to our

committee – they provided amazing

leadership through this event and

their hard work really shows in the

results of this event.”

This housing program currently

operates 25 supportive housing units

serving 50 to 60 people on any given

night. Additionally, the agency

rehouses about 60 families from

homelessness to marketplace rental

homes annually. In 2019, The Journey

Home housed 112 families and

individuals through all of their

programs.

Pictured from left to right: Marcie Richmond, Terri Donovan, Liz Huber (Outreach

Director), Melissa Warren & Rev. Dr. Kristine Blaess, all with St. Paul’s Episcopal Church

and Scott Foster and Geneva Poss with The Journey Home.

The $2 Trillion coronavirus stimulus

bill lets taxpayers deduct up to $300

The third largest industry in the

country, the nonprofit sector, has long

asked for an “above the line”

deduction. In 2020, taxpayers will be

able to take advantage of this. Those

that choose to donate up to $300 will

be able to claim a deduction without

going through the extra step of

itemizing it. The Coronavirus Aid,

Relief and Economic Security (CARES)

Act will allow taxpayers to deduct up

to $300 in charitable donations from

their taxable income. The rule will

apply only to charitable contributions

made in 2020. Taxpayers will be able

to claim the deductions on their tax

forms next year.

Please note that The Journey Home is

not providing any kind of tax advice

and recommends that you consult

your own tax advisor. The web

address to read the bill is

https://assets.documentcloud.org/

documents/20059055/

final-final-cares-act.pdf

THE $2 TRILLION CORONA VIRUS STIMULUS BILL

LETS TAXPAYERS DEDUCT UP TO $300

LOVE GOD. SERVE PEOPLE.

308 West Castle Street

Post Office Box 331025

Murfreesboro, Tennessee 37133

ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED

The Journey Home is a Christian

Outreach Serving the Homeless

and Disadvantaged of Rutherford

County providing practical

resources and relationships that

encourage faith, economic

stability, wholeness, and

reintegration into community life.

We hope you will join us in lifting

up and serving our community’s

most vulnerable citizens.

Visit our Website:

LoveGodServePeople.org

Follow us on social media:

JourneyHomeMurfreesboro

journeyhometn

the-journey-home-murfreesboro

ANSWERS TO YOUR QUESTIONS Dear Journey Home, Why do People Become Homeless?

A. Homelessness is complicated, and while there are many reasons for a

person becoming homeless, there are a few that impact the majority.

There is a lack of affordable housing for people with low incomes in Middle

Tennessee. Low income households do not earn enough to pay for food,

clothing, transportation and a place to call home. Health problems are

directly linked to homelessness as well. A person’s health problems or their

medical bills can cause homelessness or may escalate a person’s

vulnerability to homelessness. Additionally, many survivors (adults and

youth) of domestic violence become homeless when they choose to leave

their home where abuse is occurring. Racial inequality also plays a role with

a disproportionate number of minorities experiencing homelessness at

higher rates than whites.

Do you have a question about homelessness or how to help?

The Journey Home wants to hear from you.

Please send your questions to LCouser@LoveGodServePeople.org.