By Dr. Bruce Metcalf, CEO, Merced County Rescue Mission
You have probably heard the story about the boy who walked on the beach where thousands of starfish had washed ashore. As he walked, he picked up starfish and threw them back into the sea. An old man observed what the boy was doing and said to him, “With all the starfish on the beach, you aren’t making much of a difference.” The boy picked up another starfish, and, as he threw it into the sea, he responded by saying, “It made a difference to that one.”
I know that I live in a small corner of the world where we do not have huge numbers of unhoused people living on the streets as you might find in cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco. In all of Merced County, we have counted about 800 people who are unhoused. Of these, about 500 are presently in shelters or programs, and about 300 continue to live on the streets.
It is the privilege of the Merced Rescue Mission to be part of a collaborative partnership in Merced County and to be making a difference in the lives of people, one person at a time!
This collaboration includes both nonprofits like the Rescue Mission and government agencies. (Can you imagine that!) Together, we are planning, strategizing and adding housing in a variety of ways for people in Merced County. Homekey projects, apartments, and cottage houses are some examples of our collaborative efforts.
Within one and a half years, we expect to have only 125 people left unhoused. Within three to four years, we expect to achieve a net- zero* of people who are unhoused. We recognize that new people will become homeless as we help those who are presently unhoused. The good news is that we will have programs and facilities in place to meet the needs of people who face homelessness. All of this is a testament to the will to make a difference by collaborating and working together!
I have listened to speeches about homelessness, and I have read articles explaining why people become homeless. All of these are informative and helpful, but it is time now for action, creative innovation, and doing something! I believe that Merced County will be one of the first counties in California to achieve a net-zero* population of people who are unhoused.
The Merced Rescue Mission is grateful for the opportunity to work together with our whole community to make Merced a better place for everyone. We invite you to join us by becoming an advocate in these efforts! Please support us with your prayers, your contributions, and your voice, by sharing this good news with our community. Join us in the exciting movement to end homelessness in Merced County!
*Net-zero - No one left living on the street or in situations unsuitable for human habitation. Net-zero recognizes that, while people experiencing homelessness are getting housed, there will also be new people becoming homeless, and there will be a place for them so that no one will be left on the streets.