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Christian group is sleeping out so homeless moms can sleep in

By Matt Chiappardi

Staff writer

| Posted: Sunday, July 31, 2011 5:00 am

MEDFORD - At any moment, each of the about a dozen people camping outside in front of the Faith Presbyterian Church on Saturday could walk inside to sleep with a solid roof above their heads.

The people for whom they are trying to raise awareness and money are not always as lucky.

Bridge of Hope Burlington County, a nonprofit Christian charity that helps homeless moms and their children, organized a "Sleep Out" event to help end homelessness.

It was sponsored by the church on Stokes Road, and it's the fourth year in a row the organization has held the event.

"The majority of homeless females are former heads of households who, due to circumstances beyond their control, wind up sleeping on the streets, " said Phyllis Knighten, board secretary for Bridge of Hope. "We're hoping to raise awareness. There is homelessness in Burlington County, just like anywhere else, but you don't always see it."

Beyond just shedding light on the issue, the organization sponsors individual homeless families and raises money to help them get back on their feet.

It takes about $9,000 to move someone from homelessness to a place where they have permanent housing and a plan for long-term financial self-sufficiency, she said.

"We're not just offering people emergency housing," Knighten said. "The whole point is to move a mom and her kids from homelessness to financial stability."

During Saturday's event, about a dozen adults and children pitched tents on the church lawn and stayed there from 4:00 p.m. to 8:30 a.m. the next morning. The campers spent the evening with some fellowship around a campfire and many participated in hourly prayer walks.

The event is expected to raise about $3,000 through donations and sponsorships, about a third of the way toward Bridge of Hope's goal. Those who wish to make personal donations can do so online at www.bridgeofhopeburlington.com.

The recipient family's identity has been withheld to protect their privacy.

According to the organization director Shannon Gooch-Zebal, the family consists of a mother and two children.

The woman found herself without a home about a year ago after having to take refuge with her children at a domestic violence shelter.

"At one point all she had was the clothes on her back," Gooch-Zebal said. "The church has really embraced her, and things are getting better as she gets emotionally stronger."

Gooch-Zebal said there are about 700 people in the county who find themselves in the same position as the recipient.

"There are 360 churches in Burlington County," she said. "If each of them adopted one homeless mom, we could end single-mother homelessness in three years."

The organization usually has recipients referred from homeless and domestic violence shelters as well as the Burlington County Department of Human Services, Knighten said.

For many of the people who participated in the event, it was a deeply personal mission.

Township resident Steven Phillips grew up in Virginia and hasn't been camping since he was a child.

While Saturday is bringing back fond memories, it is also fulfilling a deeper purpose, he said.

"I've always had a soft spot in my heart for the homeless," Phillips said. "If they'd ask me for change, I'd always see if I had some. This is a worthy cause."

Bridge of Hope is scheduled to hold its annual wine-tasting fundraiser on Nov. 5 at the Mount Holly Library and Lyceum on High Street.

They also plan to hold a dinner dance gala next spring, but have yet to set an exact date or place.

For more information or to donate contact Bridge of Hope at 609-864-6277 or admin@bridgeofhopeburlington.org.

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