The Moore Love project is…
a volunteer street-outreach initiative with the purpose of building community through mutually transformative relationships with people experiencing unsheltered homelessness. Volunteers will join NEOCH-trained staff members to visit people who are sleeping outside in the community and provide them with compassionate human interaction, humanitarian aid, and a simple meal. However, the true work of outreach is not to feed someone but rather to build relationships with members of the community. Transformation of our hearts and soul happens in community and in loving relationships with one another. The program is done in memory of Denise Moore, a member of NEOCH, who dedicated her life to building transformative and authentic relationships with people sleeping outside.
At NEOCH, we practice a relational approach to homeless outreach that understands that healing does not happen through transactions alone—through blankets, bus passes, and birth certificates. Healing happens through cultivating relationships of trust and mutuality. To form these relationships, we meet people not only where they are but also where we are mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. We value their dignity and agency while listening to their priorities. One of our outreach mantras is this: “People are not problems to be solved or cases to be managed; they are community members to be loved and journeyed with.” In other words, we do not try to “fix” people; we accompany them.
Volunteers will meet at St. Paul’s Community Church every other week to provide and prepare food, lead reflection and head out into the community. There is space for 6 volunteers to go out into the community. Space is limited, so sign up now!
What we do:
We meet every other Friday to prepare food, visit with individuals experiencing homelessness in the area, build relationships and community, reflect on our experience, and educate each other.
Schedule:
Bi-weekly from 4:00pm or 5:30 pm - 9:00 pm at St Paul’s Community Church in Ohio City (located at the corner of W. 45th and Franklin).
Who can join:
Anyone in the community! At the meeting time, any volunteers will get an explanation of what takes place when we go out from a trained NEOCH staff member. Afterwards they will be asked to sign an associated waiver form if they decide to participate.
To sign up please fill out an online application. Depending on the spots available, new volunteers may be asked to spend their time learning, supporting meal preparation, and cleaning up, rather than going out in a van.
You can also email Toni Mickey directly at Toni@neoch.org for more information about signing up
How you can support the Moore Love Project:
Does volunteering not fit into your schedule? Don’t worry! You can support us with a financial donation by clicking the link below!
PLEASE NOTE: After completing this step of the application, you will be redirected to SignUpGenius to select the dates you are available to volunteer and/or provide meals. Selecting dates through SignUpGenuis is required.