According to the 2011 Marin County Point-In-Time
Count of Persons Experiencing Homelessness, there are 1220
people living either in shelters or on the streets and in the
hills of Marin County. Of that number, 229 are considered to be
“chronically homeless.” In addition, the Count indicates
that there are another 4,179 people who are precariously housed
- living right on the edge of homelessness.
What we do: The Chaplain visits
with members of the underserved, under seen and marginalized communities
where they already are--on the streets of San Rafael
and in the waiting rooms and service areas of the downtown safety-net
agencies. The chaplain engages in direct conversation and prayer
with members of these often ignored and avoided people, and also
provides reference and referrals to agencies and programs that
address their direct needs. This is primarily a ministry of presence,
showing respect to those who have lost a sense of self worth,
and allowing hope to reenter the lives of those who have given
up hope.
Wellness Gathering meets every
Tuesday at 4PM at a local park or church meeting room, depending
on the weather. This group includes both homeless (80%) and housed
people and is a time for reflection, meditation, prayer, and conversation
of a spiritual nature. Facilitated by the Chaplain, the aim of
the group is to encourage and nurture community. The rituals and
conversation stem directly from the participants. This is "street
church" by and for the people of the street. Each Tuesday,
Wellness is followed by dinner which is prepared and served by
the participants themselves.
Individual Memorial Services
are offered in order to honor the lives of those who have died
on the streets. In doing so, we call the community to an awareness
of their connection and their need to care for themselves and
each other.
Marin County Jail Visitations
are made by the Chaplain each Thursday. In a collaborative effort
with the Ritter Center and the Marin County Jail, the Chaplain
visits folks from the Street Community who are incarcerated with
the goal of helping them connect with resources upon their release
and, ultimately, avoiding re-incarceration. ISC is funded for
this project through Ritter Center. In April, 2012, the Sheriff's
Office Re-Entry Team, the host of this program, was awarded “County
Employee of the Quarter.” The chaplain and members of the
Custody to Community team at Ritter Center were named as recipients
of this prestigious award. (10-12 visits weekly)
Hospital Visitations are made
by the Chaplain as the need arises. ISC maintains collegial relationships
with the Office of Spiritual Care at Marin General Hospital, as
well as with the chaplains serving other area hospitals.
Home Blessings are offered to
those who have transitioned into housing. The ritual of blessing
a new home can deepen the experience and realization of “being
home.”
The Chaplain is able to perform marriages
for those who are not otherwise a part of a spiritual community.
The ISC creates opportunities for the
Street Community to connect with other faith communities,
sharing and receiving wisdom.
Mitzvah Lunches and Dinners with Rodef
Sholom Synagogue happen monthly with the young people
at Congregation Rodef Sholom and are a regular part of the school
program at the religious school. We share lunch or dinner and
focused conversation with a class of students. For many students
this is their first interaction with homeless people.
Green Gulch Zen Center and Farm
welcomes a group from the Street Chaplaincy Community once each
month. The group meets with a priest, receives meditation instruction,
walks through the gardens and shares lunch with the community.
