"We will be identified as a community in how we relate to the least of these." - Rev. Amos Disasa

In a study completed in January of 2007 by the United Way, it was found that there were approximately 1100 homeless individuals in the Columbia area. Leaders of the Columbia community began to join together to create the vision that was presented to our city this past Thursday morning at the Salvation Army.

The Midlands Housing Alliance is a new 501 © (3) organization created for the purpose of providing a "comprehensive, integrated, coordinated, systemic approach" to the homeless problem. It seeks to eradicate homelessness by doing more than feeding them and giving them temporary shelter. The goal is to get people off the streets and into permanent housing.

The organization has received a $5 million challenge grant from the Knight Foundation and as it is a matching grant, much money needs to be raised.

Bobby Lyles of Stevens and Wilkinson of South Carolina revealed the architectural plan for creating an inwardly focused campus setting on the current grounds of the Salvation Army. It will include a continuum of new services.

There will be outreach teams to go into the downtown community and bring people in. There will be a drop- in center, an emergency shelter, a respite shelter which would meet the needs of the sick. There will be a low demand shelter which will have providers of substance abuse and mental health counseling, employment skills training, and case management services.

Rev. Amos Disasa, associate pastor of Eastminster Presbyterian Church, called on those in the Midlands to be a "community of caring people. We will be identified as a community in how we relate to the least of these."
 

Sometimes within myself what become
An overwhelming love I find in family and love
And friends to share a laugh or two are never far away
And grace lies in abundance all along the way

Sometimes I see the passerby out on the city street
Where grace appears in short supply and falls just out of reach
If ever there was need for love the time is surely now
Our brothers and sisters are crying out

Sometimes I see the hollow eyes of those who've lost their way
The crying of a hungry child, father's words that can't explain
The wounded wearing battle scars are fighting still today
Numbed by broken promises, they feel no pain

We… we can light the way
To a world that's reaching out for hope
A beacon of grace
Like a candle in the night
Before the morning breaks
We can light…the way

Song and lyrics by Kiah Creed