Teens Opposing Poverty

And Yet

The White House

The drive to DC on was pleasant that seasonably cold December night. I didn’t have to fight traffic, and the Christmas lights were a joy to see. I went there to take some winter clothes to the guys who stayed around New York Avenue Presbyterian Church.  Five men were sitting in a small plaza beside […]

The Guy on the Grate

Homeless man on steam grate

We were serving homeless people through TOP’s Street Ministry in a little plaza at 21st St and Virginia Avenue in DC. It was directly across the street from the State Department. The plaza was surrounded by a low wall with some bushes on the Virginia Avenue side. The bushes made the little plaza a desirable […]

Look at My Collection

Teens Opposing Poverty Youth

Gerald had a crack cocaine habit.  It ruined his life and dumped him on the streets with only the clothes on his back.  For over two years he struggled valiantly against his addiction until he finally beat it.  He said the key to overcoming a crack addiction is to hate what it does to your […]

Linwood’s Smile

Teen and homeless man

Every time I saw Linwood he was drunk. Most of the homeless people we serve through TOP on Sunday afternoons stay sober. They don’t want to put off the people who are serving them. Linwood didn’t care. He wasn’t obnoxious or threatening, but you could tell he felt no pain.   On a chilly Sunday […]

Melting the Ice

Reggie stood beside the pulpit after sharing his story of homelessness. The tall, muscular African-American stood in stark contrast to the all-white congregation. Their eyes were fixed on him as he paused to look around the sanctuary. He adjusted his posture to stand a little taller just before he spoke. “Take the hand of the […]

The World in a Backpack

Homeless Man with Backpack

When you’re homeless, chances are you carry all of your worldly possessions in a backpack.  If you’re lucky, you have a place to store or stash some extra things.  All too often, everything you own gets stolen, ruined by foul weather, or thrown away by city or park employees. After over 37 years in ministry, […]

What It’s All About

A young TOP volunteer comforts a single mother

The youth group from a Methodist Church in Forest, Virginia served about 50 homeless and low income people at Miller Park in Lynchburg. It was a beautiful afternoon. Little did I know it would become a day I’ll never forget. We served Bethany (name changed) almost every time we had done ministry. She was a […]

Forever Changed

Homeless man receives a bike from TOP volunteers

Reggie, William, David & Lisa, Robert, Betty & Steve, Linwood, Amy & her 2 daughters, Peanut, Sherry, Ben, Peggy, Charlie, Bob, Andre’, Oliver, Gerald, Tom, Denise & Lavelle, Peter, James, George, Robert & Melissa, Garland, Donna, Stacy, and Abie. These are just some of the names of the people TOP has been able to help […]

3 Things Homeless People Need to Break Free

TOP teen talks with homeless man

Preview in new tab It’s not easy to “beat the street.”  The road to a better life is full of obstacles and setbacks.  I know dozens of people who have succeeded in moving out of the homeless life. They faced the same setbacks as others, but they never gave up.  Lots of people throw up […]