I realize it is hard to supply a home to go to when you are faced with a homeless person in need. Truly though we as a community are doing just that with our shelter and may not even realize the impact we have on the individuals who pass through these doors. Every kindness and every idle word is scrutinized here, every action and reaction is judged for its worthiness to be included as part of a home. I say part of a home because you and the community are a part of every ones home who live in and around Newton. That is why I stayed here in Newton, that is why I am proud to call Newton home. You see when I came here in 2007 I was the one passing through these doors fully expecting, and content, to meander in for my stay and out again when I was told my time was through.
This place was different and I was more than intrigued to stick around and find out why. I found, here at the shelter, neighbors who were neighborly. Guidance was offered without an underlying tone of, ' this is my job that I need to do, and then I go home until I have to be here again'. Here and only here I was treated as a man with a need not only a number to fill a bed, not a dollar sign for the books. Food at this shelter was a blessing from people who truly cared that we ate good home cooked meals. Here in Newton I saw Jesus living not just preached. These are the Qualities that make up the basis of a home and these are what we here in Newton have. Every community is the home offered. The shelter is a step in building or even rebuilding a relationship that is needed to make where we stay, home.