I’ve learned many things after 22 years of walking with neighbors living through homelessness and counting them as true friends. One thing is that every single one of them refuses to give up and die. They want to live. Yet, many factors lead them to find ways to survive. They need places to sleep, camp, use the bathroom, shower, and find sustenance. So when a locality arrests them for trespassing and imposes fines, they cannot pay, even if they work (and many do); they need to invest their paychecks in hotel stays, medications (yes, meds), and food. They can’t afford the fines associated with trespassing charges, much less the court fees.
Arresting neighbors living through homelessness or charging them with trespassing is a legal way of criminalizing homelessness. Not only is it the opposite of trauma-responsive practice, it is counter-productive. Tying up dockets and jails with charges like these is unhelpful to the justice system, taxpayers, and the neighbors’ ability to get on their feet.
It is just unhelpful. There is a better way. Just reach out to organizations like 3e or churches of compassion and collaborate. Together we can find a way.
About Fred
Fred came to serve greater Williamsburg and WCC as lead pastor in October of 2010 and is grateful to be a part of the family. He is a husband, father, certified trauma professional, S.T.A.R. (strategies for trauma awareness & resilience) practitioner, community organizer, TEDx alum, founder of 3e Restoration, Inc. and co-owner of Philoxenia Culture LLC. He received his B.S. in Ministry/Bible at Amridge University and his Master’s of Religious Education in Missional Leadership from Rochester University. Currently he is a candidate for a Doctorate of Ministry in Contextual Theology in at Northern Seminary in Chicago. Fred also serves as an adjunct lecturer for William & Mary and has served as an adjunct professor for Rochester University and Regent University where he taught courses in philosophy, ethics, leadership, pastoral care, intro to Christianity, and ethnography. Fred has authored on book (Racialized Cultural Systems, Social Displacement and Christian Hospitality) and several curriculum offerings, including The FloorPlan: Living Toward Restoration & Resilience.
Fred enjoys hanging out with his family anytime, anywhere. He is deeply grateful for how God graciously works through the Church in all her various forms, despite our brokenness. He is passionate about seeing the last, least, and lonely of every neighborhood, city and nation experience God’s in-breaking kingdom, and come to know Jesus as King. Oh, and his favorite season is Advent and Christmas.
Fred serves on the advisory boards of Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center, Bacon Street Youth & Family Services, and FreeKind. He is also a founding member of the board of directors for Virginia Racial Healing Institute, a member of Greater Williamsburg Trauma-Informed Community Network's Racial Trauma Committee and Training Committee.
Long Way Here 