Page 146 - South Mississippi Living - January, 2025

FINAL SAY
JAMES EDWARD
BATES
Board Member and Volunteer, Gulf Coast Community Ministries
As an advocate for the homeless community, I have long felt a deep calling to find better ways to provide basic care for people experiencing homelessness – a complex issue with no easy solutions.
Across America, countless men, women, and children are homeless due to chronic circumstances, often trapped by financial hardships, depression, physical ailments, mental
health challenges, or addiction. Others face crisis homelessness, caused by sudden life changes such as job loss, divorce, or other disruptions in support, which make it difficult to remain housed.
I am honored to serve on the board of Gulf Coast Community Ministries (GCCM) in Gulfport. One of our key homeless outreach efforts is the annual Camping for Hope event. During this winter supply distribution, we provide essentials such as coats, tents, sleeping bags, hygiene kits, gloves, hats, and propane to approximately 200 homeless adults. Thanks to the support
of community partners, attendees also receive hot meals, free haircuts, flu shots, and more. Our mission is to help keep those we serve warm and dry through the winter months.
Throughout the year, GCCM also operates a free homeless clothing closet and a food pantry open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 to 11:30 a.m. for anyone in need. These services
exist because of the generosity of individuals, businesses,
and Christian churches in our community. Currently, we are seeking partners to help replenish camping supplies (www. GulfCoastMinistry.org/donate) and support our efforts to construct a new building to enhance our ability to serve.
Food and shelter are basic needs, but they are not enough on their own. Physical health and mental well-being are equally important, yet often underfunded. With greater support
from local, state, and federal agencies, GCCM and other organizations could expand opportunities for addiction recovery, mental health care, shelters, and transitional housing. Ideally, more social workers, pastors, and volunteers would engage directly with homeless individuals to build relationships and foster transformative change. While success depends on an
individual’s readiness to accept help, when it happens, the results can be life-changing.
We must strive to find meaningful solutions that balance the needs of our communities and those experiencing homelessness. Residents and visitors deserve to feel safe, and businesses need support to minimize negative impacts. To address the growth
of homelessness nationwide, we must take a comprehensive, coordinated approach, aligning the efforts of local agencies like GCCM while addressing the root causes of homelessness.
As a follower of Christ, I believe we are called to do more, to be actively engaged in extending support and love. It really comes down to a matter of the heart and how we respond to the needs God places before us. How are you using the resources, time, and gifts God has given you?
146 | January 2025
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