Side-By-Side with the Homeless

"Tending the Holy with the Homeless"  

"When I needed someone to simply listen to me -- you did. That is such a simple act -- but God knows how deeply grateful I am to you.” -- Leon B., homeless.
 
"If God is the center of your life, no words are necessary. Your mere presence will touch hearts." -- St. Vincent de Paul
 
Side-By-Side Spiritual Companions is a listening ministry based on the model of spiritual direction, the ancient ministry of accompaniment on spiritual journeys. It is a ministry of presence. Side-By-Side is a contemplative social-justice ministry based in prayer and the Judeo-Christian scriptures and welcome and serve all faiths and those with no stated faith among the homeless and poor guests of Loaves & Fishes in downtown Sacramento and beyond. We do not proselytize or evangelize.
 
In the act of contemplative, compassionate listening, spiritual companions journey with our homeless guests to their deepest places of both joy and pain. Companions act as a mirror to reflect what we hear, notice, and feel. The Sacred One (God) is always the present companion with us. We seek to reflect that constant, loving, embracing presence as we listen to our guests.
 
The Side-by-Side Spiritual Companions program is a mission of the California-Nevada Conference of The United Methodist Church. It is based at Loaves & Fishes in Sacramento, a private, non-profit organization that serves 500-800 homeless men, women, and children a day (also see Sacramento Loaves & Fishes).
 
Side-by-Side offers:
·         listening spiritual companions
·         daily group contemplative prayer
·         annual spiritual retreats for homeless men and women
·         weekly jam sessions for homeless musicians held at North Sacramento United Methodist Church, 650 El Camino, Sacramento, CA 95815
·         memorial services for the homeless guests of Loaves & Fishes
 
In addition to working directly with the homeless community, Side-By-Side is a resource available to churches and groups who seek a deeper understanding of poverty and what it is to be in community together. Side-By-Side sponsors workshops, tours and immersion experiences for adults and youth to foster new understanding of the poor in our midst. 
 
For additional information contact Linda Kelly, Director and Founder at (916) 443-4362 or email her at revlinda@sbcglobal.net. Side-By-Side is located at 1329 North C Street (Loaves & Fishes), Sacramento, CA 95811. Mailing address is: P.O. Box 980250, West Sacramento, CA 95798-0250.