Christmas on the Streets by the Train Station in Roosevelt Park

Please help those in Need living on the streets of Detroit
Karen Robak Gates invited you to Christmas on the Streets
By the Train Station Roosevelt Park
Saturday, December 24, 2011
2:00pm until 3:00pm

The Ark Association is seeking donations for Christmas Eve, Please help, they are in need of new knit Hats, Scarves, Gloves, Sweat Shirts, Socks & Underwear...ETC, Of course they also will accept money to purchase such items for our "Family on the Streets". For monetary donations please visit... http://thearkassociation.org/Donations.html our webpage at http://thearkassociation.org/Donations.html and click on our donation button at bottom of screen. Your donations are greatly appreciated. We will be serving a Christmas meal on Christmas Eve this year & handing out gifts, All are welcome to join us starting at 01:45 pm to 03:00 pm. Hope to see you there.

A VISITOR'S VIEWPOINT
The following is a first-hand report written by Linda Campbell after visiting The Ark Association outreach program of Detroit in March 2006

"It was a dreary, wet and chilly Saturday afternoon in late March. In Roosevelt Park right in front of the once glorious Union Train Depot, a small band of individuals was busy. In assembly line fashion they sorted, stacked and bundled bags of clothing. Others placed carefully packed lunch meals in sacks on the opposite end of the table. Sign in sheets and referral cards were reviewed and placed near the head of the table. The diverse crowd of men and women, young and not so young, chatted comfortably as they waited for their guests to arrive.

When asked if they really expected folks to show up in this miserable weather, Karen Gates, Executive Director, answered, "Sure, they will be here because they know we will be here." We both look across the expanse of what is now an empty park. A few minutes pass and as predicted, the guests start to arrive. They appear as if out of nowhere. However, mostly they come from nearby shelters, hidden alcoves, and overcrowded residences that house many of the city's poor and homeless. They enter the park mostly one by one – a few join up with others [[this is mostly a male crowd) and they approach the table with signs of recognition. Suddenly there is a different energy around the table. Those operating the table begin to do what they do best, - engage the forgotten. During the next 90 minutes, they will provide services to 20-50 individuals."

Linda Campbell

This pretty much sums it up, but I’d like to add a little something this very well written piece about one of Detroit’s unsung heroes. In my opinion Karen Gates fits that description to a tee. For one, you will never hear her brag, and if she ever asks for anything at all, it is never for herself—only for those that are homeless or for folks in some sort of need. Come rain, sleet, snow or sub-zero blizzard conditions, Karen finds a way to be there. She could use some help. Perhaps if the media would get involved, Karen would get some much-needed support. For all this woman does, all she asks is for us to help her, help others. She tells me that she is seeing children come through the line. Please, would you help Karen feed and clothe Detroit’s homeless? Please.

Facebook: Johnnie Sue Bridges

There are many needs out on the streets; however, just a penny a day will help prepare a meal which makes all the difference to a hungry person. When that person is nourished, he or she is able to think about more than the immediate need of eating. This allows the individual the ability to take the next step toward the door of opportunity. Your donation allows us to be your ambassadors on the street with a message of hope for new beginnings and a brighter tomorrow.


Facebook: Karen Robak Gates
1 [[313) 892-4746
1[[313) 460-2709
E-mail: karen-gates@sbcglobal.net
The Ark Association
http://www.thearkassociation.org
For monetary donations please visit... http://thearkassociation.org/Donations.html

Thank you DetroitYes
Merry Christmas