Safe Park is a rotating shelter for homeless that live in cars and RVs.  This is a very exciting new social ministry program that will allow us to help provide our homeless neighbors a safe place to park at night in the PoP parking lot for one month.  We are working with other local faiths to cover the other 11 months per year.

Why is it "safe"?
The parking lot would not be open to just anyone. Those allowed to park are pre-screened by social service agencies. In addition there are rules to stay. Police are supportive of the program and they check-in though out the night. The homeless won't have to worry about being asked to move in the middle of the night, they can stay with their loved ones (indoor shelters do not usually allow couples or pets), plus they would have access to restrooms.

What is next?
We hope to launch this program in May, but WE NEED ADDITIONAL VOLUNTEERS
 by March 1st to ensure the effort will be successful. 

To volunteer: complete our Interest form (this will not sign you up for a shift, just let us know how many people are willing to help). 

What about...?
Many of the most common questions are answered in the presentation posted earlier this month. If your question isn't answered, feel free to contact committee member Norman Puck.

Thank you to those who made time to attend our SafePark Proposal Meeting. For those that missed the meeting, but are interested in the proposal, please see the attached presentation. 

Now is the difficult part. We need volunteers, and LOTS of them, to make this proposal a reality. 

With the end of the rotating men’s shelter in December a Social Ministry task force has been actively seeking new ways to sustain and expand Prince of Peace’s ministry to the homeless.  If you attended the January 14 and 28 FED discussions you heard about the task force’s proposals to launch two new initiatives to support this ever-increasing, underserved population.
Winter Shelter Meals
As a continuation of our long-standing meal service ministry to those in need, Prince of Peace has agreed to provide dinner for 50 guests at the Trinity Church winter shelter in Mountain View on three Mondays:  January 29, February 26, and March 26.    Since the shelter will close mid-April, the task force is also exploring additional meal opportunities that will continue our commitment into the rest of the year. 
Contact Jim Wilczak ([email protected]) if you’d like to volunteer to help with the Trinity meals or with planning the future of this important ministry.
Safe Park
The task force is also exploring establishing a rotating evening safe park program at Prince of Peace in collaboration with other local churches.  Hosting no more than 15 vehicles for a month at a time, the safe park would provide a secure evening respite for families and individuals living in their cars.  The task force has been working with local government agencies and faith-based organizations and hopes to open the shelter in late spring.
If you would like more information or would like to help with planning, please contact Norman Puck ([email protected]) or Bill Eklow  ([email protected]).