Street Outreach

Street Outreach – Bringing Hope to the Streets

Chaplain Charles is a familiar face to many people who frequent Atlantic City’s Boardwalk. He’s well-known to the Special Improvement District (SID) and local police, but more importantly, he’s a constant (and trusted) presence to the homeless population.

Charles has experience in all kinds of service. He’s worked as a substance abuse counselor, a Christian school instructor, and as a pastor. However, he’s always had a heart for outreach ministry. After illness forced Charles to leave his position in the church, he began working at the Mission. Within a year, he assumed leadership of the outreach program. “I feel I am doing what God has called me to do, and He sustains me every day. I could not do this without Him,” Charles says.

Reaching out to the homeless can be a true challenge. Some suffer from mental illness and substance abuse problems that cause them to resist any efforts to help them… some are violent… and some are even afraid they’ll be arrested if they come to the Mission. Many find it difficult to understand why people would choose to live in makeshift shelters rather than accept help from the Mission. “Engaging the homeless is sometimes a long-term process,” Charles says. “It may take a year or two before they will finally respond.”

On a typical day, Chaplain Charles begins by checking on the men who cam in the previous night. He manages their cases himself, and counsels those who stay at the Mission. Some days the Chaplain helps police n sweeps under the Boardwalk. Other times he distributes donated coats, blankets, and gloves to those living outdoors in the colder months, or bottled water in the warmer times. But the most important part of Charles’ job is establishing relationships with the men he’s called to serve.

“Even though real success stories are few and far between, there’s that feeling that perhaps you’ve made a little bit of difference,” Charles shares. “In one week, a client with whom I’d worked for about two years [passed away]. In that same week, I had the joy of sending another client home to be reunited with his family.”

With your partnership, we’re restoring the lives of those who would otherwise be completely lost in the world. Please pray for Chaplain Charles, and for the people he serves.

To view larger images of each photo, click the corresponding picture. If you would like to view a slideshow just click on the first image and press play at the bottom.

Under Atlantic City's Boardwalk

In some areas, the sand is cleared away under the boardwalk so that someone may walk underneath to reach their dwelling. In other places, only a small tunnel is visible at the boardwalk's edge, with larger dwellings carved out deeper under the boardwalk.

A tunnel beneath the steps leads back to a dwelling place under the boardwalk.

Broken beach chairs and a block of wood serve as a living room set for a homeless man under the boardwalk.

A piece of discarded plastic and a blanket make a bed for a homeless person.

Cardboard is often used as flooring, bedding, or insulation for a homeless person's dwelling. This person has a mattress tucked behind the concrete wall.

Plywood flooring and cardboard mattress beneath two blankets make a bedroom."

Pipes running under the boardwalk can be used as a clothesline, a closet to hang clothes, or a brace for cardboard walls.

Reaching Out

Talking to the homeless on the boardwalk and getting to know them, Chaplain Charles earns their trust.

Homelessness knows no boundaries when it comes to age. Help is offered to anyone in need.

To build trust, Chaplain Charles spend a lot of time listening as well as giving advice or offering help.