Spring Clean for the Wayside

I am not religious at all but I have signed up to receive an email each week from the pastor of the Wayside Chapel in Kings Cross, Graham Long. Graham's emails are a weekly reminder that there are plenty of people doing it really tough in this world.

"The Wayside provides:

• Showers, low-cost meals and clothing for the most disadvantaged members of our community
• Referrals for short and long-term crisis accommodation and housing
• Information & advocacy services
• Referral services to health and welfare agencies
• Meeting spaces for self help and community groups
• Weekly onsite legal, health, and counseling clinics (we partner with experts in their field)
• Drop in activities – including sport, gym, photography & movies
• A judgment free space for those just looking for a chat,
  a coffee or a quiet place to think." 

The Wayside is an integral part of Kings Cross  and has, in the past, been associated with controversy. In the 1990's the church had its own 'Tolerance Room' - a place for users to inject in a supervised enviornment.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayside_Chapel

Recently, as a family, we attended a Sunday service. It was the second only time I had been to church (the other was with my grandmother at Christmas many years ago). I wanted to go to show my support for The Wayside and the support they provide for many is society who've 'fallen by the wayside."

Within a few months Graham will be unveiling the renovation of their building, which was funded by government and private donations (debt free) and will provide such a boost to their services e.g. more/new showers and a new space for education facilities & programs & services.


http://www.thewaysidechapel.com/index.php

** The Wayside is always in need of towels and toiletries and today Graham has asked for donations.**

"The Wayside isn't much like a church which is good if you're not much like a Christian."