Through its constellation of tiny homes, The Chandler Boulevard Bridge Home Village has brought opportunity and vitality to 41 residents of North Hollywood.

Jolinn Bracey is one such resident, and she’s grateful for the changes she’s already experienced. She said, "This has given me a place to reconfigure myself. It put me back into the practice of being consistent in the normal things that you do. It grounds you."

Though Bracey’s home is only 64 square feet, it has a bed, racks for clothing, air conditioning (a must-have in southern California), and a feature that most of us take for granted: a front door with a lock. Bracey said, "It's the first time in a long time that I don't feel like someone is going to come up on me.”

Residents are fed three meals a day and have access to showers, both of which are tremendously rejuvenating after going without. Rowan Vansleve, president of the nonprofit that operates Chandler, said, "It's really humbling to say, 'I can't feed myself. I can't house myself. I can't get a hot shower.’ We do everything we can to make this site welcoming. We call it the 'Love Club.’”

Bracey has plans to move into an apartment, just a few blocks away from the parking garage where she used to sleep in her car. She is also two classes away from completing an associate’s degree program at a local community college. She hopes to use her education to eventually help other Chandler residents. "I just want to help everybody not go through what I went through."

“For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:”  

Matthew 25:35

You and I can't do everything, but we can do something to help others who are in need. Especially during the holiday season, so many people are struggling; not merely with physical needs, but also with needs for community and friendship. What can you do today, to help another human being?

 

Have a great day and God bless!

 

Pastor Mike / The Open Word