ightwatch

OPERATION

Last year, we articulated a vision for expanding the outreach of Operation Nightwatch. That vision included reviving our street ministry component, and developing a “Nightwatch on Wheels” program.
 
We are very close to making the street ministry a reality. A core of four individuals has expressed interest in volunteering in this way. Jackets, vests, and hats that will identify our volunteers as being from Operation Nightwatch are on order.

The “Nightwatch on Wheels” is an idea that continues to evolve. Our original idea was to load a set of tables, chairs, coffee pots and cups into a truck and drive to where concentrations of the homeless could be found, setting up a temporary, outdoors “satellite” of our Hospitality Center evening-by-evening in a convenient parking lot. A recent article in Street Roots, however, about the eastside homeless population sparked some creative rethinking of that idea. The article spoke of, among other things, the need for public toilets on the east side. The notion of using a truck for “Nightwatch on Wheels” morphed into substituting the truck with a used recreational vehicle. Not only would an RV have an on-board toilet (which itself would provide a valuable service), but some appliances to help with food/coffee preparation.

Needless to say, the “Nightwatch on Wheels” idea is an ambitious proposal requiring an infusion of resources, both human and financial. We will be applying for foundation grants to offset the costs, and instituting a prominent promotional campaign for the recruitment of volunteers.

What has allowed ONW to start channeling more energy toward expanding outreach is the addition of a new staff member. In August, James Ferus

joined us as Program Coordinator. James comes to us from Jesuit Volunteer Corps, and will serve with us full-time for a year.

The Program Coordinator’s prime responsibility is to supervise the Hospitality Center. Moreover, James has developed special programs geared to offering empowerment opportunities for our guests. He organized voter registration and voter education prior