Feb 3 , 2023
Hello Everyone!
Today, I want to say how grateful I am to work with Making Housing and Community Happen! Although I am new to the MHCH team, my husband and I are local pastors and have found that since connecting with MHCH a real value in this information for our work in ministry and community. 2nd Thessalonians 1:3 says “We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing.”
As communities of faith we are always looking for ways to connect with the community, to show the love of Christ, be God’s hands and feet. Take a moment to read our Newsletter and sense how the Spirit may use you! With topics like Safe Parking, Rent Control, Meeting City officials; I’m certain you’ll find something valuable for your church and community to get involved with! Suzanne’s story on Safe Parking has really tugged at our heart! 
“I Am So Blessed…” Reflection on the Safe Parking Program
It was a great joy to hear Suzanne share her story at the January MHCH Forum: “Emergency Shelter for Our Unhoused Neighbors: Safe Parking and Safe Haven.” Several of our safe parkers have been housed and we are praying that Suzanne will be next! Here is her testimony from our Forum:
Hello, everyone! My name is Suzanne and I have been with the Safe Parking Program for about a year. I ended up in the program because I had several major health issues—cancer and a stroke and I lost my hearing in one ear.
I was a legal assistant for many years and I just ran out of money. I didn’t know what to do and I was very scared and had only lived in my car two days. I had been visiting friends for a couple of years but had no where to go. I was afraid that the police were going to arrest me.
Then I found out about the Safe Parking Program and I’m so blessed. I was accepted and it has provided me with a foundation from which I can try to get my life back together. Because I have restrooms, I have a safe place to park with a lot of light at night, I have other safe parkers, and we take care each other. You don’t feel alone [like when you’re on] some dark street somewhere.
The restrooms are number one for those of us who don’t have a home, so that’s terrific! On top of that I have made many friend with the congregation and the safe parking committee. I’ve gone hiking with one of the people, traded books, reading ideas and that helps you maintain a sense of who you are.
Because you can lose that if all of a sudden you’re a thrown into a situation with a lot of mentally ill people, addicts. [The Safe Parking program makes you feel] grounded and also to have fun, to have people to talk to. I have been to some of the [church] services. Everyone has been so generous with me.
I was in shell shock but I am very much centered now that I have this experience here at the church.
I would like to say one more thing. If you need me to speak to other groups in the San Gabriel [Valley], I will come with you to tell them all the benefits and how it will make a huge difference in a person’s life. Thank you.
Stories in this issue:
- Black History Month: Jackie Robinson, Affordable Housing Builder.
- MHCH Housing Justice Forum: Pasadena Rent Control: “Know Your New Rights and How to Assert Them.”
- Joy #1: “Persistence Pays Off for Democracy” by Bert Newton.
- Joy #2: Meeting with our Amazing New City Manager Miguel Marquez by Jill Shook.
- “Yes in My Backyard: Delivering Housing Solutions. “ Upcoming Bonita Democratic Council Zoom Event on Thurs. Feb 9 with Jed Leano and Jill Shook.
- Joy #3: “‘I Am So Blessed’: Reflection on Safe Parking” by Suzanne.
- Busting Myths, Providing Solutions: “Affordable Housing Is Good for the Environment” by Anthony Manousos.”
Making Housing and Community Happen 
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