Campaign To End Homelessness Is The Late Bishop Carthenʼs Final Initiative

Earlier this week, the late Bishop Sherwood Carthen from Bayside of South Sacramento was joined by Pastor Rick Cole of Capital Christian Center and Mayor Kevin Johnson to share details about a major fundraising effort, Give One Day.  The campaign aims to end homelessness by asking each of us to donate one dayʼs worth of their rent or mortgage.

No one could have anticipated that it would be the Bishopʼs final project.    Mayor Johnson officially launched the Give One Day Campaign that will run through December 31.  “The Give One Day” campaign is designed for people to take care of those in our community with the least, which reflects the values of Sacramento,” said Mayor Johnson.  “On any given night there are nearly 2,600 homeless people in Sacramento.  By donating between now and the end of the year, we can help the homeless find permanent homes, provide them with job training and placement, and make sure our youth have access to support programs.”

Funds raised from the Give One Day Campaign will support programs to help move individuals and families into permanent housing, programs for youth aged 14-24, and

training & job placement services.  Financial gifts will also transition the Winter Sanctuary Interfaith program into a year-round emergency shelter to provide a safe haven every night of the year.

Sacramento Steps Forward, a local non-profit agency dedicated to ending homelessness in our region, Is inviting congregations of all faiths to join the campaign.  Pastor Cole emphasized “The campaign is getting started with the faith community because of its strong success in the past and passion for serving the homeless, but it will also engage the private sector and all Sacramentans.”

Homelessness is a national problem that directly impacts Sacramento citizens.  On any given night, nearly 2,600 people in Sacramento County are homeless, a 7.6 increase since 2011.  African American families are seven times as likely to be homeless as whites.  The number of families experiencing homelessness has increased 47.5 percent since 2009.

The most vulnerable members of our community are people with chronic mental and physical health issues and those in families trying to obtain or maintain employment while supporting their children, having been impacted by dwindling public resources and support.

The late Bishop Carthen stated “We believe in unity and we always want to help people get a head start.  These funds will do just that.”

Go to sacramentostepsforward.org to donate and read more about the Give One Day Campaign.

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