HOPE 32 JULY 2025 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida Edition In the noise of daily life, we often overlook the quiet suffering around us. People experiencing homelessness — men, women and children living on the margins — are easy to pass by, even easier to ignore. When you hear the word “homelessness,” what comes to mind? Who do you see? Chronic homelessness Do you picture a man sleeping on a bench or a woman holding a sign at a stoplight? Most likely, these individuals are those experiencing what is called chronic homelessness, often involving long-term housing instability, mental illness or addiction. But what if I told you that homelessness could also be the cashier who rang up your items at the local store, the administrative worker in your office or a family squeezed into a car they now call home? You see, in these scenarios, homelessness arises from a sudden crisis – like a job loss, a medical emergency or a rent hike that puts housing affordability out of reach. We call this situational homelessness. Situational homelessness Behind each of these scenarios is a story. Behind each story is a person. Genesis 1:26-31 reminds us that every human being is made in the imago dei — the image of God. This truth is not symbolic; it is a spiritual mandate. Every person has inherent value, worth and dignity. At HOPE, our focus is on those families experiencing situational homelessness, and we treat them with dignity, care and compassion. These mothers, fathers and children are made in God’s image and are looking for the opportunity to have someone walk alongside them on a path out of their situation towards resiliency and independence. Restoring dignity HOPE’s story began at Thanksgiving in 1995 when Fred Scarborough encountered a young mother and father who did not have a place to call home, food or diapers for their five-month-old baby. A devoted follower of Christ, Fred was compelled by Christ’s words in Matthew 25:31-40. “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me,” is what Christ said. Jesus does not separate himself from the hungry, the stranger, or the poor — He identifies with them. Jesus himself experienced homelessness. In serving those that society overlooks, we serve Jesus. Fred Scarborough was not a social worker. He was a veterinarian who also happened to be a Christian. He recognized the humanity of this family and did not want to see them suffer alone, so he did something. As followers of Christ, we are called to do the same: to reflect God's love by upholding the dignity of every person, especially those society casts aside. At HOPE South Florida, we embrace this biblical imperative. Our foundation is built on seven core values: Dignity, Compassion, Service, Collaboration, Accountability, Hope, and Christ-centeredness. These are not just principles, they are practices. Dignity demands that we see people experiencing homelessness not as problems to be solved, but as neighbors to be loved. Now thirty years later, we are taking Dr. Fred’s mission and vision to the next level, building upon the foundation he laid by supporting families like that couple Dr. Fred met back in 1995. We exist to be a HOPE-filled community, keeping families together, providing compassionate care, and guiding and equipping those we serve on a path to holistic life change. Today’s homelessness crisis is not just about physical need. Research shows that addiction, unemployment, and poverty are not the root causes of homelessness — they are symptoms of something deeper: the breakdown of relationships, the loss of community. That is why the church matters. The church is the body of Christ and a family of believers all made in God’s image. We are uniquely positioned to meet both spiritual and tangible needs of our neighbors. We are called to move beyond charity and into relationship — to share life, to restore dignity and to walk with families as they rebuild. This is an incredible opportunity to love like Jesus did! A staggering need The most recent data on homelessness is staggering. The number of families experiencing increased by nearly 40% across the United States in 2024. Locally, the Broward County School District estimates over 6,000 students as experiencing homelessness. There are almost 600 families experiencing homelessness in Broward with nearly 300 sleeping in their vehicle. We believe those numbers underrepresent the reality of family homelessness in our county, as many families do not want to be found. Our humble belief at HOPE South Florida is that as long as the church exists, no family should suffer homelessness alone. We each have a role to play — sharing our time, our talent and our treasure to help move a family experiencing homelessness out of their crisis into stability. This is not a calling that belongs to someone else. It is mine. It is yours. It’s ours. Let us return to the purpose Christ has uniquely placed on each of our lives. Let us serve boldly, love radically, and see every family, whether or not they are housed, as God sees them: with dignity, compassion, and infinite worth. I invite you to participate in what God is doing to transform the lives of families experiencing homelessness and partner with us at HOPE South Florida. Reach out to me to discover ways you can get involved, today! Celebrating 30 years of impact, HOPE South Florida exists to be a HOPEfilled community—keeping families together, offering compassionate care, and guiding them toward holistic life change. Under the leadership of President Joseph D. Kenner, we remain committed to ending family homelessness in Broward County by building communities that empower families to become resilient and independent. For more information visit HOPESouthFlorida.org Caring for Those Experiencing Homelessness – Who Do You See? - Joseph D. Kenner - President, HOPE South Florida
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