by David Wood, parishioner
St. John’s Norwood has long been a vigorous participant in the work to relieve and end homelessness in Montgomery County. But trouble lies just ahead, with a rising number of individuals and families who lack stable housing—and the looming threat of catastrophic cuts in federal funding. In our wealthy county, the number of unhoused families doubled between 2024 and 2025, according to the most recent count. 19,000 children live below the federal poverty line.
What will make the difference for our homeless neighbors is the dedication of our volunteers and donors. Montgomery County spends $68 million a year on services to end and prevent homelessness. The money funds extraordinarily successful programs: Its SHARP (Supportive Housing and Resolution Program) provides more than 280 families with up to 12 months of rent and wraparound support; 97 percent of families successfully “graduate” out on their own.
Actually, says county homeless services director Christine Hong, “most of the work is done by our 120 contracts with nonprofits, many of which are locally funded” and run by volunteers. St. John’s volunteers have worked with many non-profits fighting homelessness over the years, including Shepherd’s Table in Silver Spring, making, delivering and often serving chili dinners monthly for those experiencing homelessness, and Interfaith Works, which operates emergency shelters, supportive housing, employment programs and covers essential needs for the unhoused in Montgomery County with 175 professional staff members and a team of 7,000 critically needed volunteers.
Come learn more and be inspired to join in this work at 7:00 pm on Saturday evening April 11, when St. John’s will host a grand concert. We are honored to welcome back to St. John’s the Pro Musica chamber choir of Washington Adventist University under the direction of Dr. Anwar Ottley. The concert, "Voices to End Homelessness," is a joint offering by St. John's Racial Justice and Equity (RJE) Ministry and St. John’s music ministry headed by Jason West, made possible by the generosity of Pro Música in offering us their incredible talent to help raise awareness of homelessness among our neighbors.
We are lucky to welcome back this outstanding choir, which has an active schedule of national and international appearances. Their performance will include songs from their upcoming new recording, "Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs, Volume 2." The evening of music, says Jason West, “is a way for people to be able to share this gift in an inspiring and uplifting way.”
Please join us and Pro Música on April 11 in raising awareness and supporting two wonderful organizations with whom we partner to fight homelessness!
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