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On December 23rd, Humanity Reboxed took a group of 8 volunteers to Cesar Chavez Plaza in Downtown Sacramento for a homeless outreach event. During the day, the HR outreach team provided the homeless in the area with 100 sandwiches by Pocket Deli and 70 hygiene kits built by Humanity Reboxed.
The group of 8 volunteers included 5 first-timers! It was an amazing day full of smiles, laughter and happy tears. Our team was able to reconnect with individuals that we have built connections with over the years and make new friends. While the stories are still rolling in, we want to focus in on one particular man we met. His name was James and he grew up in Oak Park. He's 28 years old and just recently became homeless. After speaking more to him, he was doing the best he can to get off the streets...he recently got a job at Golden One Center and was excited for the future. James was a smart yet humble guy. He approached us at our table, received his items, and asked where he could find a tent to get out of the rain during the winter and store his stuff. After further conversation, instead of pointing him to yet another service, we decided to get him a small hiking tent for him to stay in until he can make enough money for a deposit on an apartment. When we gave him his new tent, his eyes filled with tears and he was overwhelmed with emotion; walking away after getting out a shaky 'thank you.' We were able to do exactly what we set out for: to come alongside someone who is need of help this Christmas and show the joy that Christ provides. Thank you for being apart of Humanity Reboxed's mission. An official outreach video will be released soon, produced by Matt Moura. HR's next outreach is planned to happen on January 25th at Union Station in Los Angeles.
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Humanity Reboxed is proud to announce that it is conducting a research project to understand and develop new strategies towards poverty alleviation. The project is looking particularly at 4 main categories of homelessness in the state of California in attempt to reinvent outreaches and street ministry programs.
The project will answer questions regarding the cause of homelessness, the phycological challenges that trap people in the cycle of poverty, education and its role in poverty alleviation, and back to work programs that equip homeless individuals with the tools needed to rejoin the workforce. Understanding these aspects of poverty will assist in outreach and program development. By January of 2020, Humanity Reboxed hopes to have developed and launched a program that attacks all aspects of poverty, redesigning outreaches that effectively make a difference for the community. The findings and results of the project will be published at www.HumanityReboxed.com. “If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity in them, how can the love of God be that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and truth.” 1 John 3:17 On April 20th, Humanity Reboxed took an outreach team to Cesar Chavez park in downtown Sacramento to provide the homeless with food and hygiene kits. The team handed out over 70 hygiene kits and 90 sandwiches.
The awesome day full of conversation, prayer, and connection couldn't have been better. The team connected with multiple individuals and engaged in insightful conversation regarding biblical topics. One team member was even given the opportunity to share the gospel with a Muslim man. There were multiple 'first-time' volunteers on the outreach. The overall response was that the day was extremely "humbling." The team was able to connect with individuals in wheelchairs, women who were struggling with their health, people who were starving, and even very intelligent people. The day was a constant reminder that the people living on the streets in our city are people with stories and families. The hunger for conversation was vivid and real. The experience was a fantastic demonstration of God's great love He has for all of His people. Outreaches like this cannot happen without your help! Consider becoming a monthly donor to help our homeless neighbors in need. On March 17th, 2019, Humanity Reboxed took a group of students from Azusa Pacific University to serve the homeless near Union Station in Los Angeles. The group handed out 90 sandwiches and three cases of water.
Beginning at a park across from Union Station, HR set up as homeless people laying in the grass watched with a curious eye. Soon, they would walk toward the small group of five students to grab a sandwich, a bottle of water, and a cheerful greeting. One man who was in his 50's took out his guitar and started playing with a student. They talked and played for a full hour. The group also met a veteran from the airforce who is now pursuing his dream of being an artist after an awful head on collision with a car while he was riding his bike. This awesome individual even let HR pray for him and his health. Additionally, HR was able to assist an immigrant from Puerto Rico obtain a metro pass to find work. After spending well over an hour at the park, the group loaded up into their car and drove through Skid Row, stopping at tents to hand out the remaining sandwiches and bottles of water. This outreach was made possible by the amazing volunteers and donations by supporters. Humanity Reboxed thanks everyone who has supported the growth of homeless outreach in Los Angeles.  On November 20th, Humanity Reboxed traveled to Sacramento to provide to the homeless. HR handed out 170 hygiene kits, 120 Jimmy John sandwiches, and provided water and prayer for those living on the streets. Based at Cesar Chavez Plaza in downtown Sacramento, the team set up a food table, where homeless individuals could come up and take what they need. They were welcomed with open arms as we created conversation and prayed with those who desired it. Two teams took hygiene kits and walked the city, creating conversation and providing hygiene kits for those who needed it. We met a man named Gregory, an extremely kind, older gentleman from North Dakota. He came to Sacramento when he was younger when he married his wife. Now, he is trying to make it to San Francisco to see his son. We prayed over a woman named Debra, who lost her husband a year before and became homeless shortly after. The event was awesome. The overjoyed response we received from the homeless in the area was overwhelming. Humanity Reboxed volunteers were able to be the light in a dark place for some people. On behalf of everyone at Humanity Reboxed, we thank you for your support of our mission. Today, Humanity Reboxed is working relentlessly to provide for those on the streets. With planned outreaches approaching in November and December, the HR team would love to provide everyone with an update on how the organization is running. Here are some quick facts:
1) Humanity Reboxed has provided over $3,400 worth of supplies to the homeless living on the streets. 2) Humanity Reboxed has increasingly spread awareness about homelessness in Sacramento through social media, breaking over 150 likes on Facebook and over 150 followers on Instagram. 3) Humanity Reboxed plans on having it's first outreach in Los Angeles in March of 2019. Stay tuned for more information. 4) Humanity Reboxed is currently finishing and submitting a tax-exempt status request to the IRS. While only being incorporated for less than a year, Humanity Reboxed has strived to put others first. Beginning in January, our goal is to be involved or host at least one community building event each month. The high school Student Ambassador Program is growing as well, with up to 12 high-school members. As our ministry grows, please do not hesitate to reach out to us with questions or comments. We strive to as open and transparent as possible with the public! You can be apart of this growing organization as well. Below are links to how you can get involved! Be a volunteer Join the team Sponsor a kit Humanity Reboxed is a relatively new organization, and many wonder what we stand for and believe. Here at HR, we know that we cannot change the world in one day, but we strive to create a small, lasting impact at every possible opportunity.
Humanity Reboxed strives... - to provide physical necessities to the homeless; - to cater to the immediate needs of a homeless person; - to provide emotional and spiritual support through interaction; - to sponsor, host and/or participate in events and activities that benefits those in need. We believe in the Christian faith as a source of hope, and use it in our daily interactions with the homeless. We strive to have an experienced Pastor or Church Leader on our Outreach trips. We stand on a firm foundation in our calling to provide for those in need. Join the movement today and sponsor a box for someone who needs it. Humanity Reboxed is now a hygiene kit provider for Folsom's Hope, a local non-profit that works with underprivileged children and teens, providing them with mentors, tutors, encouragement, and certain physical supplies the families might need. Humanity Reboxed will provide hygiene and children's kits to these families on an as-need basis. HR is looking to create a larger impact in the local community of Folsom, and providing important life essentials for families certainly helps and supports those in a financial struggle. Our goal everyday is to put a smile on someone's face and to provide for what they might need. In the Children's Kit we provide, HR includes small toys, specific to the child's interest, in the kit. There is nothing like creating a positive impact on those in need in our local community! To learn more about Folsom's Hope, click here. Sponsor a box today to support the families of Folsom's Hope! Humanity Reboxed is now an official hygiene kit provider for Twin Lakes Food Bank of Folsom. HR will provide these kits for the food bank to hand out to homeless guests that pass through their location. This partnership reflects on Humanity Reboxed's new efforts to create a local impact on those in need. The team at Humanity Reboxed knows the importance on making an impact in the local community, and is working to do so. If you are interested in creating a lasting impact for someone in need, sponsor an outreach kit from Humanity Reboxed today! To become a monthly supporter, click the button below!  City Impact was such an amazing trip and experience for everyone that was involved! For those who don’t know, City Impact is a non-profit organization located in the tenderloin district of San Francisco. They work to intervene on the reckless cycle of poverty in the area
The Tenderloin District is not a good area. “The Tenderloin district is less than one square mile and is located in the heart of San Francisco. It is home to about 37,000 residents, the transition space of approximately 7,000 of San Francisco’s homeless population, as well as the place of upbringing for over 3,000 children. The poverty that we see is often in the form of hunger, drug addiction, destitution both indoors and out, poor physical health, domestic violence, and overall physical suffering. However, what we see on the surface all have their roots in what is unseen: the trauma, brokenness, and isolation that have lead people to that place. In fact, the common story of many of the people that we meet here is that they were often abused at a young age which lead them into self-medicating with a substance. This self-medication eventually develops into an addiction that consumes their life. The desire for escaping their reality through drugs or alcohol causes their relationships and responsibilities to diminish leading them into homelessness and destitution wherever they have come from.” -City Impact. Members of Humanity Reboxed joined Lakeside Church on a mission trip to City Impact during Spring Break of this year. Students were heavily involved with meal delivery, street cleanup, women’s ministry, street ministry, meal prep, and so much more! Students were also heavily involved in prayer; praying out loud for a homeless person or praying in a group setting. Humanity Reboxed provided 50 hygiene kits for street ministry. Also, due to high demand, HR also provided water and socks to the homeless. We are so grateful for everyone’s support. We couldn’t be able to reach as many people without awesome donors like you! There are amazing, personal stories from the week! Every student had a unique experience, check out what they thought: Abby Fenton (Vice President): City Impact 2018 had significant impact on me. This year I was able to see beyond the surfaces of people's drug addiction, alcohol abuse, and mental health issues and into their true stories. The people in these heart wrenching circumstances became just like me. I learned that any average person can end up in insurmountable wells of drug addiction, alcohol abuse, and mental health issues, because that's all the people of the streets used to be- average people. Adam Knutson (Student Ambassador): City Impact was a new experience that I have never had before. It was a great experience though. It was not like most church camps where you go and have fun with friends. At City Impact we all served the homeless community of the Tenderloin in San Francisco. I loved it though. Helping someone that is homeless is an amazing experience. Putting a smile on their faces by giving them food or hygiene kits or even praying for them is such a great feeling. I would definitely go to City Impact in the future. Jacob Magpantay (Media Chair, Co-Founder): City Impact was an amazing time to spread love and grace on people who aren't usually used to it. It was awesome to see students open their hearts and connect to people living on the streets of the Tenderloin. I believe we made an impact on these people's lives. We learned how some may live drastically different lives than ours and how not everyone is as privileged as us. I personally was inspired how these people were able to keep such optimistic perspectives on life given their circumstances. This trip has given me more motivation to help those in less fortunate situations. Melanie Taylor (Student Ambassador): I went into city impact not really knowing much about what I was going to be doing there. At first I was nervous about what I was going to see, but after my first full day, I saw that these people had a story just like us. Most of the people I interacted with were very kind and had a story full of self brokenness.Lots of people suffered from addiction. My goal was to have an impact on someone's life. As I talked to people I saw that by giving them a sandwich, scarf, or hygiene kit there hearts were warmed. Most people loved to talk and wanted to tell you everything. This experience is something I will never forget and will always have an impact on how I see our world. |
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