Try Anything September

“What is Sanctuary to you?”, we asked our community. “I have a place that I can call home.”

In September, we had a month of trying new things to create community on our front parking pad with folks who sleep outside. We’ve noticed over the summer months that more people are outside, looking for a safe place to rest and not be “moved along” by parks staff. We decided as a team that while we do a lot to create community INSIDE our doors, that community needed to happen OUTSIDE as well—not just for folks without homes, but to open up Sanctuary to our neighbors too.

So, over the month of September, we hosted a games night, did some front pad chalk art to showcase the talent in our community, hosted a community meal outside, held an “ask-us-anything” meet and greet for our neighbors, and started a morning prayer practice three times a week.

It was wonderful to have the time outside, and for those of us on staff, to have it as a focus for the month. We had the opportunity to meet people who do not otherwise come inside and made deeper connections with people who have been using Sanctuary as a place to rest outside. The time has helped break down barriers, answer questions our neighbors have about us, and even sparked some interest from people in our neighborhood in being part of our community!

While the engagement on the front parking pad will be different over the winter months, it’s reminded us of the importance of ensuring that welcome does not just happen INSIDE our doors but outside as well.