What are People Saying?

Every week one of our volunteers, Jack Dison leads a group where he presents a topic. The members then pass around a 'talking piece' and share their perspective. Last week the topic was "the PARC. What is it and what does it do for you?" The responses we heard were humbling and impactful. As they spoke we heard how right before our eyes lives are being changed and set free.

Joseph is very small, with a squeaky voice and a scar across the top of his head. I remember when he first started coming I heard some people referring to him as 'pip squeak'. I told them to quit calling him that. Their response was, "He likes it." I replied by telling them that wasn't his name and to call him by his real name. Last week these were Joseph's words. " the PARC is a safe haven. It helps me get in contact with a part of me that was dead and gone. It’s a place that makes me realize that I matter.  Coming from where I was told I was worthless and wouldn’t amount to anything, this place makes me feel like I belong, and that I do matter. I think that’s why I was scared to come here. I had heard all this good stuff and everyone was having a good experience. In the past as soon as I showed up it went to crap. But when I finally came here it wasn’t like that. This place has helped me get in touch with a side of myself I thought was dead. I wasn’t called by my name before, but now I am." After Joseph shared, one of the other members tried to give him some advice. "Just act like you don't care and then people will leave you alone." The true victory came when Joseph looked him straight in the eye and said, "But that isn't who I am. I have always been someone that cares deeply." He said it with confidence and assurance. Joseph knows who he is and he is forever changed.

We also heard things such as, "I feel protected when I come to the PARC." "the PARC to me is the light at the end of the tunnel." "I think we see God here more than we do other places." "It's clearing the junk out of my life and helps me to move to the next part of my life."

I wish each of you could have been here to hear what we got hear. I love the PARC. I am so grateful. Thank you for being a part of making a true and lasting difference every single day in the lives of so many.