We have 2 refrigerators that no longer work and need replacing immediately. We may already have one coming so we really need one refrigerator asap (food is spoiling while we wait).

If you can help with this need of God’s Least, please contact Paige Vestal at paigev@truevine.net or 704-400-9755. If you don’t have one to offer, Lowe’s has them at a good price (or Home Depot). If you want to buy it and have it shipped to us, fine, or if you want to donate $500 for this item, just let us know.

The Ministry could also use help and resources for their Christmas Party and Gifts for the Men at this season of celebration of our Lord’s Birth.

God Bless.

However, I also want you to know that we decreased our staff from 10 to 8 while keeping our men off the street at the same 50+ number.  That was more of a result of circumstances than anything we did since our staff is our first commitment and will continue to be.  And many of us took a pay cut so that we avoid that shortfall again (with Johnny and I taking the largest cut at 20%).  Also, Johnny Allen, Program Director at Hoskins, has been collecting program fees from the men at approximately $4k per week for everyone (which I did not include in the $30k since we needed “outside” support in addition to normal support).  In that regard Hoskins is now collecting about half of its overhead from program fees (which is a significant increase), something that may be used as a model to other inner city ministries since it allows us to generate revenue internally, and teaches our men to be responsible with their own expenses at the same time (program fees are what the men pay us to be part of our “program”).  I tell you these things so you can see that while we will ask for help from you from time to time, we are doing our part as well.  And you have a right to know what is going on.

Finally, while many might think that ministries like ours are all about money – we are not at all (we are trying to share the love of Christ with the poor which does take money).  Sadly, we get put in positions to ask for funds when we would prefer our committed supporters to help us consistently so we can avoid these fire drill requests.  So, in that regard we are having a meeting on Wednesday Nov 3rd and Thursday Nov 4th, at the Harris Y (6:30-8:30 pm) , to share with those who attend, what we are doing at Hoskins and where we are headed.  We’d appreciate the folks who feel committed to serving a Christian ministry that serves Jesus by serving His homeless men, to attend.

I will be sending out an invitation but wanted you all to know in advance that this is what we are doing so you can save one of those  dates.  I really think we can all help ministries by understand who we are committed to rather than having to get barraged by emails desperate for money.  Its our effort to proactively combat the financial challenges we face in 2010 rather than being reactive.  In that regard, I hope you will attend.

Also, if you want to be sure you get a card in the mail, please send me your mailing address back on this email.  They should go out this week.

Thanks again!  We appreciate your support at Hoskins Park Ministries.  I hope to see you on the 3rd or 4th.    -Tom Wheeler, Exec. Director

On Sep 14, 2010, at 5:55 PM, Thomas Wheeler wrote:

I am writing this reluctantly having tried to keep out of the email marketing maze (since everyone is after everyone’s money these days), but Hoskins Park is coming to a critical point.  I thought some of you might want to know what that is before we make the necessary changes to meet our financial shortage.

As many of you know we currently have 13 houses, 50+ men (previously homeless) and a committed staff of 10.  It costs just under $40k per month to keep Hoskins Park running as is (which I believe is at its healthiest place and is being fiscally responsible to the best of our ability).  Our focus is on discipleship of the men too so that they do not return to the street, rather than just housing the homeless for the sake of shelter.  Furthermore, we have some of the toughest guys in Charlotte living with us – these are not people that just had a tough year or two, these are guys whose lives might have been messed up since the day they were born (although they are not all from the same background).  For the most part, however, if they were not with us, they would likely be getting into trouble and be back in jail.  I just want to make sure you know who we are serving.  We don’t just teach them a few things and send them on as if we invested our lives into them.  We live with and amongst them as a big family (of messed up people) but with Jesus at the center as we really do invest our lives in them.

Financially, however, if  things don’t change soon, it is unlikely that we can maintain this same focus with these numbers.  As winter approaches, with the communities need to get more folks off the street, Hoskins Park will likely have to down size just before that need arises (either decrease our staff, the men or both).  I just cannot see anyone thinking that is a good option, especially now.

Furthermore, despite many who think downsizing is not an option at this time, it is an option for us in order to continue to be fiscally responsible, which I believe is important particularly since we are a Christian organization (and therefore need to do things better than others not worse).  I just don’t think it is appropriate to become an organization that operates irresponsibly in the name of Jesus.  As imperfect as we might be, God is more than able to provide for us, through folks like you.  So I look at it like this – if you feel we need to continue on, as is, with 50+ men and a staff of 10 (because you know us, trust us, and believe this is God’s work rather than our own), please give to us financially as soon as possible (and to whatever degree you can).  If however, you are committed elsewhere and while you understand the need and know that winter is coming (and you know you will see the need on the front page of the Charlotte Observer when it gets cold) this is not where you are called to help, I understand- commit where you are already committed.  We will let God show us the way based on the response we get from you and others that know about this need.  Believe me, if we need to downsize, then so be it, that is what we will do (we cannot take responsibility for this either on the positive or negative side – its God’s deal, not ours).

You can make a donation at:  Hoskinspark.org  - hitting the donation button  or by sending a check to:

Hoskins Park Ministries
107 Cromer Street
Charlotte, NC 28208

And listen, I know how difficult it is to deal with all the demands of our challenging economy.  I would not be asking if God has not already pushed me and my wife Kate to the point beyond the sacrifice we thought was necessary.  But we have obliged.  Now we ask you to follow us as we follow the Lord, as you feel called to do so anyway.  Oh, and finally, the board of directors of Hoskins Park is looking into various ways we can become more of a self sustaining ministry – but that takes time.  But please don’t think we don’t know that there are internal options we must consider too, to become more independent on those outside of our ministry.  At this point we generate around 25% of our revenues internally. We hope to get to over 50% in the next year by being more creative.  More on that later.

Thanks for your consideration.  May God continue to bless you and your families.  And thank you for your support.  We really appreciate you!!!!   Further information about Hoskins Park is below this email.

-Tom

We have some special events coming up for the remainder of the year that I will address in a separate email.

But now, Paige is in dire need of toiletries and canned food for the pantry as well as 2 dressers, 2 refrigerators and a washing machine.

As you all know, this is a growing ministry that serves the least of our community and the needs of this growing and changing population continue.

If you are able to contribute individual sized toiletries, canned food items, dressers, refrigerators or a washing machine, please contact:

Paige Vestal
704-400-9755
paigev@truevine.net

Well, the holidays are here again! A time for us to say thanks to God for all the many blessings He has given to each and every one of us! As Americans, most of us should truly appreciate how rich we are. Most people in the world do not have the luxury of life that we are all offered, even at our most dire need. And of course, at Christmas we celebrate the most precious gift of all, Jesus Christ, the blessing of eternal life for all who accept Him as Lord and Savior! We have been spared eternal condemnation through Christ and will spend eternity with the presence of the essence of love itself, Jesus! Whoa. We have the gift of the Holy Spirit living inside of us so we never leave His presence too! How great is our God!

We know that during this wonderful season many of you may want to give to ministries like Hoskins to show your thankfulness to God, and we welcome your giving! In fact, we need it! As most of you know or can imagine, giving is down in all organizations that help the least. That always comes with an economic down turn. And it is true with Hoskins. So please just remember that we have 12 houses and 42 previously homeless men. We have a staff of 6 and a budget of $30k per month. We are currently receiving about $15k per month in donations, down about 1/2. So we especially need your help! And although Christmas is a time to give “gifts,” for many organizations like ours, this Christmas will be a time to just keep services continuing – which is the greatest gift to those we serve …. so please give, even if it means sacrificially. And if Hoskins Park is not your choice, then please give sacrificially to whomever your choice is …. remembering …. we are Americans. We are the richest people in the world, even in our poverty. As for what we do at Hoskins, these 42 men we serve were on the street with no place to go – now they are in nice homes with beds and loved by the love of Jesus Christ. Help us to keep it that way!

Thanks for considering a substantial gift to Hoskins Park Ministries this holiday season. You can find us at “http://hoskinspark.org/” or at Hoskins Park Ministries, 107 Cromer Street, Charlotte, NC 28208. Please, don’t wait either. We need to plan for the holidays and could use your gift now! And although we receive some support from the local church(s), it is YOU who are our greatest providers.

The Bible tells us to ask and we will receive, Matt 7:7ff. We are asking! Help us if you can to continue to share the love of Christ with His least (Matt 25:40). Please. Give thanks by giving. We will use what you give us for the glory of God.

Thanks again!

-Tom Wheeler, Exec. Dir., tawheeler@truevine.net

This is just a short reminder of upcoming events and needs at Hoskins Park:

* There are now 38 men being served at HPM.

* The most recent house to be opened for housing is still in need of dressers, night stands and lamps.

* The pantry is in constant need of canned foods and toiletries.

* The Forest Hill CityServe is rescheduled for Saturday, April 18 from 10:30AM – 1PM. Thanks to all who have already signed up to help.

* The 3rd Annual Hoskins Park Open House (open to everyone) is scheduled for May 2, from 11AM – 2PM. More information will be coming on this great event. The past 2 years, we have had fellowship with over 150 people, including neighbors living around the Hoskins Park Campus

* There are volunteer opportunities for meal preparation and service for most Thursday’s and Friday’s. Monday’s, Tuesday’s and Wednesday’s are full each month, and we thank every life group that has volunteered for these monthly meals that the men really enjoy!
Click link below to signup on the Servenet list:

http://foresthill.volunteerhub.com/Events/EventGroupSummary.aspx?EventGroupID=2194

Paige is welcoming other churches to Hoskins Park Ministries to participate in these rewarding volunteer opportunities.

If you have not volunteered or visited Hoskins Park Ministries, please do so. I think the volunteers that help out there come away more fulfilled than God’s least that they are trying to help.

Paige can answer any questions, or help with volunteer opportunities, by calling her at 704-400-9755, or her email is paigev@truevine.net.

Thanks to all that serve, and may God Bless.