Beyond full bellies

Effective Compassion: Christian faith saturates a Nebraska homeless shelter’s program | Anthony Mator

HASTINGS, Neb. — On a late Tuesday night, the sheriff rang the doorbell of Crossroads Center Rescue Mission. Jacob, a young vagrant with sad, blue eyes, unkempt beard, and sunburned nose, needed a place to stay. The staff offered a bed and clean clothes; he preferred to wear what he'd brought. They asked questions and tried to make small talk; he stared and said nothing.

Many homeless shelters would have been content to fill Jacob's belly and let him go, but operations manager Pete McConnell, concerned by his refusal even to shake hands, discussed whether a session with a psychologist might unlock the stranger's secret. If he wished to keep his room past the three-day trial period, Jacob would have to open his mouth. He would have to participate—as 28 other adult residents do—in the 4 Phase rehab program, including basic life-skills classes such as personal hygiene and managing emotions, and then advancing through employment assistance and financial management. He would also have to help keep the dorm-style living quarters clean and presentable.