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Walk With Me

Community Outreach

Friend Toolbox

Lovingly encouraging our neighbors without homes through the power of friendship.

Our hope is that all of our vulnerable neighbors experiencing homelessness can feel valued, loved, and seen just as God sees them, and through the power of relationship, experience the fullness of life they desire.

church outreach

We partner with local churches to equip and empower volunteers…

volunteering to help homeless men

to walk alongside a vulnerable man or woman as a friend for an extended period of time…

community outreach ideas

As they listen to understand, relationships are strengthened, trust is built, connections to resources are made…

make a difference in the community

and the journey moves forward into a more fulfilling and rewarding life unique to each individual.

Become a Walk With Me Friend (volunteer)

A heart to serve our vulnerable neighbors on the streets and a desire to make a difference in someone’s life through the power of friendship.

Complete online volunteer application, background check, and comprehensive Walk With Me Online Training Course. Online training is 3-4 hours at your own pace.

Commit to being a part of the program for a minimum of 12 months.

Participate in at least one outreach activity for the homeless or have prior experience. (We’re happy to connect you with outreach activities in your area.)

Treat your Neighbor to a meal or coffee one time a month and connect with them one other time (3-4 hours total).

Receive and give support together with other volunteers at two celebration gatherings with the Walk With Me network of Friends.

Follow agreed-upon boundaries and guidelines:

  • Use Google phone number for communication.
  • No monetary or material gifts in first phase of relationship.
  • Commit to meeting with your Walk With Me Neighbor as scheduled.

A desire to improve your life situation.

A willingness to be honest and open, knowing that you will be respectfully heard and supported.

Meet with your Walk With Me friend one to two times a month for 12 months.

Follow agreed upon boundaries and guidelines:

  • Use of Google phone number for communication.
  • This friendship is not based on material or monetary gifts. The gift is the friendship. Enjoy the blessing!
  • Commit to meeting with your Walk With Me Friend as scheduled.
This is Peggy
She has been on and off the streets for many years. She would like to overcome her struggles with alcohol and has some physical disabilities. She loves the Lord and knows He is the only one that can help her defeat her addiction, but she still has challenges. She is a kind and sweet woman who would like to have a Walk with Me friend for the positive influence this could have on her life.
SIGN ME UP! >
This is Christine and Sam
This couple that hopes to be married one day is living in temporary housing at the Alpha Project. Sam’s volunteer work at the NAMI clubhouse is providing good job experience and Christine is taking classes so she can get her GED. They are grateful for their Walk With Me friends who are helping them pursue their dreams even though the roadblocks often seem insurmountable.
SIGN ME UP! >
This is Candy and Mary
Candy and Mary live together in a low-income, one-room apartment downtown. They may not be able to afford to live there anymore because their rent is going up. Mary and Candy would like Walk With Me friends to talk to when they feel down and to help them with budgeting and boundaries so they don’t lose their apartment.
SIGN ME UP! >
This is Howie
Howie is a Vietnam vet and suffers from PTSD. He has some challenges that make it difficult for him to follow through with tasks such as doing paperwork, managing money and keeping a schedule. He would like a Walk with Me friend to just “walk along side me for encouragement to keep going”.
SIGN ME UP! >
This is John
He is 21 years old and has been on and off the streets since the age of 10. He never attended school and says, “I had a bad childhood”. He has a very sweet spirit and says his gifts are “cleaning” and “being friendly”. He would love to learn to read and would like to have a Walk With Me partner to help him meet his goals and to have a friend who is not on the streets.
SIGN ME UP! >
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“Many of the youth we serve have no emotional or social support – no one they can trust. Having a Walk With Me friend who helps them realize their potential will be key to helping them flourish and meet their goals.”
– Melody Vazquez, Outreach Director | Youth Assistance Coalition
“We are pleased to fund and support the launch of this special and important initiative that meaningfully engages faith-based communities to be the missing link for guiding the homeless to resources they need.”
– Drew Moser, Executive Director, Lucky Duck Foundation
“We’re excited to be partnering with Walk With Me, as we believe “leaning in” vs. “walking past” is what will help get our vulnerable neighbors off the streets permanently. And, isn’t that what Christ would want us to do?”
– John Savidge, Director of Ladle Fellowship, First Presbyterian Church Downtown San Diego
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Have questions? Contact us!

Crystal Carlson, Program Manager

(619) 819-1898 | ccarlson@sdrescue.org

walk with me service san diego

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San Diego Rescue Mission is a non-profit homeless shelter and recovery center serving thousands of men, women and children experiencing homelessness, hunger, poverty and abuse in San Diego since 1955.

P.O. Box 80427
San Diego, CA 92138
(619) 687-3720
sdrminfo@sdrescue.org

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