PORT - An Opportunity to Serve Others

PORT (People Offering Resources Together) is a yearly program in Newport News, VA that helps the homeless.  Area churches, organizations and volunteers join together to help others in their community.  During the 2009 - 2010 season PORT served 597 guests. 

Intake workers completed assessments on all and were able to find solutions for some. Of the adults entering the shelter 36% left with a source of income.  The income most frequently reported was SSDI, followed by employment, SSI, VA benefits, unployment, TANF, retirement benefits and child support. At the close of PORT 85 guests, 14% were known to have secured housing.

Guests received health referrals, HIV counseling & testing, H1N1 flu shots and seasonal flu shots were available to guests on 3 occasions, and CSB staff members were available to help guests with mental health issues.

At least 4 times weekly, guests were provided with the opportunity to choose warm clothing from donations provided by the host church or LINK (Living Interfaith Network).  During the intake process, each guest was given hygiene articles and items were replaced as needed. 

All in all the community came together again to help others.

When we service others, we allow the flow of God to continue.  Emilie Cady states in Lessons in Truth
"Stagnation is death.  Unless you use for the service of others what God has already given to you, you will find it a long, weary road to spiritual understanding." 

When we give to others, we give to ourselves.  We are seeking to establish ourselves in a relationship with the divine flow.  As we allow the flow, we draw closer to God.

Eric Butterworth states in his book Spiritual Economics "Your life is God's gift to you and what you do with it is your gift to God". 


Let us All discover the wonder of Giving!!

Namaste