The following is an open letter to Winston-Salem from Anthony’s Plot’s Rev. Russ May.

Dear W-S community,

It has been almost 11 months since we opened last season’s winter overflow shelter. Those months (even the warm ones) have been eventful… maybe even more than you know!

Of course, you know how “eventful” it was last winter when we came together to provide hospitality and care for any who are displaced in our city. But did you know that every time you gathered donations, welcomed a guest, shared in a meal, drove a van, sat down and listened, had your children color on paper bags filled with breakfast foods, lifted up a song or prayer with our guests in mind – every time you interacted in one of these ways, you reflected the deepening empathy and interest our community has for all who face the challenge of homelessness. These interactions actually bred trust and partnership among our guests and all who served. This matured into something special, as they made life-changing decisions about more than just housing: they were connecting with community.

You see, we believe in something called “Community First” – which basically is a reminder that homelessness is more than just a crisis of housing, it is a crisis of isolation. From our own experiences, we know that stability comes through community. Last winter, you exemplified the type of community that can make lasting stability happen for anyone.

And that’s what has kept us busy. Our guests have grown confident and comfortable in community, and we have found our lives constantly intersecting. Just today I had a phone call from one of the most gentle men I have ever met, who was once a guest at one of our shelter sites. He was calling, as he did last year, because he was trying to find out where overflow shelters would be… to volunteer. I actually get a lot of those phone calls these days, the giving back to the community type of calls. You did this – y’all did this. Thanks.

We look forward to working as a community again in just over a month. As always, prayerfully consider what role you may play in this Community First way of transforming the crisis of homelessness in our city. I would be remiss if I did not also say that we can use financial gifts too. Information on getting involved or supporting is found on the website HERE.

Peace.

Russ