It is true most of the time that out of anguish grows hope bursting into the consciousness of all those feeling helpless around the tableau of violence. And so in 2008 San Diego community members were horrified and devastated by the shooting deaths of Monique Palmer and Michael Taylor then in less than 3 months the shooting death of Hannah Podhorsky all just high school students. These community members determined to support the families but also the traumatized community Pastor Rene Colon, Tasha Williamson, Pastor Angie Ward, Pastor Archie Robinson (New Birth Kingdom Covenant Fellowship), Pastor Sandoval (New Harvest Christian Fellowship), Dana Brown, Kathleen Harmon came together and created the San Diego Compassion Project.
When you have a good thing like the San Diego Compassion Project, that meets an important community need and nurtures healing, it keeps moving forward despite all sorts of changes and the comings and goings of volunteers. This past November there was the 8th annual dinner for families impacted by death and violence lead by community members intent to keep the dinner going. There were more than 150 attendees (moms, dads, grandparents and children) in attendance and sharing with each other at Pastor Santos’ church. The Jackie Robinson YMCA has been an ongoing supporter of the effort. The Alliance for Community Empowerment (ACE) has always supported the effort and this year helped gather donations as well.
Many cities in California have some kind of Crisis Response Team – some part of the community, some a mix of community and government staff. San Diego’s Compassion Project works with the County’s Health and Human services Agency, San Diego Police Department, San Diego County Probation and San Diego Sheriff’s Department along with partnering with groups like Alliance for Community Empowerment (ACE), Harmonium and SAY.
Since 2008 the Compassion project has supported and been there for 163 families.
In 2013 members decided that there was work to be done when there had been fights, aggravated assaults and community members ended up in the hospital. Someone needed to be there to comfort, mediate and make sure services were given to those in need. Community Assistance Support Team (CAST) was born. It too continues with Bishop Bowser, Pastor Archie Robinson, Pastor Santos(Apostolic Church of San Diego), Pastor Sandoval, Tasha Williamson, Pastor Patty Allen (New Creation Church), myself and others who alert us and work with us when there is a need – San Diego Police Department, HHSA. Working with University of San Diego Hospital – thanks to Dr. Rodney Hood who introduced the group to hospital Staff. CAST has worked with 125 individuals and their families since 2014.
But there had to be a way to help communities as well and Denise Gonzalez and Pastor Santos spearheaded the “Walk & Knocks” in 2014. The group of volunteers which distributes information about resources, meetings, and important events in the community, has done 51 Walk & Knocks and interacted with more than 1,000 residents in various parts of the city – Southeast, Mid City, Logan Heights, and Mountain View.
My favorite story about the Walk & Knocks illustrates the power of caring involves Bishop Bowser. He knocked on a door of a resident and gave the normal story about CAST and handed her a flyer about food distribution happening the next day at Pastor Santos’ church. The woman broke down and started crying. Bishop asked if he could pray with her. She said yes through tears and catching her breath. They prayed. Then Bishop asked why was she crying. She looked at him and said,” I was laid off yesterday and did not know where I was going to find food for my family this week. You show up with this flyer and my prayer was answered.”
The Walk and Knocks are currently managed by Bevelyn Bravo of ACE along with the CAST volunteers and Mothers with A Message.
Community members in San Diego care. They demonstrate it every day in various ways and through linking with groups to make sure we eventually create a thriving, nurturing community for all of us.
Comments (1)