At the First Street Mission, our prayer is that we run ourselves out of business. For decades, hundreds of volunteers have worked tirelessly to provide for the basic needs of neighbors who are experiencing poverty and homelessness. Clean clothes, food, and hygiene items go a long way to helping a person feel loved and dignified. However, as I drive around downtown, it’s hard not to notice some of the same friends week after week.

I do love getting to know them. I’ve met former teachers, parents with hilarious stories, veterans, traveling preachers, and so many other fascinating people. They care for each other, their pets, and they care for Fort Worth. Some of them are consistent First Church congregants, regular worship and small group attenders. Yet they have no place to live, and many of them have no idea how to get from homelessness to housed. I wouldn’t have known before I worked at the Mission.

Did you know that in April 2023 the average rent for a small apartment in Fort Worth was $1430? It’s nearly impossible to find any place for less than $1000 per month. What if you have physical or mental health issues and you haven’t been to a doctor in a year because you’ve been on the street? How do people know what to do in a situation like that?

We now have a small outreach team. Our mission outreach team is walking around downtown each week. Looking for people to help. They are able to connect our neighbors with resources, teach them about housing options, and help them navigate an overwhelming process as they work to change their own lives. We are reaching out, expanding how we help people.

We still serve in all the same ways: clothing, food, and baby formula, as we’ve done for decades, and now we’re also taking this work on the move. We aim to work ourselves out of business. When our community invests and works together it is possible to help people make lasting life change. People are getting jobs, reconnecting with family, getting long-needed health care, and moving into their own place for the first time in a long time. This is happening every day at First Street Mission and on the streets of Fort Worth. If you’d like to come see what we do here, please schedule a tour. We would love to show you how you can participate in this work.

Andrew Hellmers
Engagement Specialist
First Street Methodist Mission