Telling Our Stories
Voices For Prairie Pointe Part 1. Written by Dylan Novacek – Content Specialist
“I see yours and my role to keep badgering for the resources needed by our low-income neighbors. Jesus said, ‘God will step in and work justice for his chosen people who continue to cry out.’ Help me cry out for the low-income residents of Scott County,” exclaimed Tom Francis, speaking to his fellow congregants at Hope Lutheran Church in Jordan.
As we seek to shelter and create housing for families in the Southwest metro, the voices of our collaborative are vital. For Tom, this work is clear and profound to him. This is why he stands up to share his stories to help see that Prairie Pointe and it’s 50 deeply affordable homes for families becomes a reality.
“I am compelled to speak because I have compassion for the people who don’t have housing,” Tom shared. “I have to do it…Picture yourself living in their position.”
Being vulnerable with our own stories is important as we organize faith communities to advocate for our neighbors. Tom’s experience with housing is diverse. His loved ones have struggled with stability, he and his wife would act as foster parents for children without a home, and he has even experienced what it’s like to have your housing in question.
“I spoke to our county commissioners and shared my experience with instability,” he said. “I had lost my job in the 1984 recession. It was so difficult to find a job. It was humiliating…I want people to picture what it’s like to not have a home in this day in age.”
Tom believes in home and is not afraid to speak up for it.
“Home is a place where you feel safe. Where you can drop your guard, relax, and be comfortable,” he asserted with poise and confidence. A stand out moment he had sharing his stories came when he told of his late brother, who struggled with housing for about 30 years.
“After sharing my brother’s story, someone came up to me with tears in their eyes,” he reflected. “This person would go onto join our Beacon Leadership Team. I got someone else involved because of something I said. It was then I realized telling these stories helps us build power.”
Growing in his ability to advocate for the needs of our community, Tom points to the support he gets from our collaborative. Through working with Justin, the congregational organizer for the Southwest Metro, and through attending Beacon training sessions like Power Tools, he is able to use his power and voice to help create new homes.
It takes an investment from our supporters to help fuel this work to not only create new homes, but also to help create confident advocates like Tom. A seed of $15,000 per home is needed to help make Prairie Pointe a reality. Part of that seed goes to supporting the cost of our trainings like Power Tools and our organizing work. Together we lift each other up to use our voice and power for home.
“A huge value of this program is that it brings the issue to a grounded level. We see what we have in common with our neighbors and work together,” he said, celebrating the support he feels from the collaborative. “Justin keeps us connected. His enthusiasm goes on and on!”
While our congregational organizers like Justin work hard to rally and connect our supporters, our work is constantly elevated and furthered by congregants like Tom. When our collaborative’s leaders help expand and deepen our relationships, our scope of impact increases.
“I want people to visualize what it would be like for them and their family to not have a home. Then I want them to stand up and take action,” Tom exclaimed. “I know we need to help our neighbors. I know we need to make Prairie Pointe a reality…”
You can use your own power and help create new homes too. Learn how by attending our next Power Tools training session – RSVP today.
Tom is one of our many leaders who are advocating for home in the Southwest. We invite you to follow along as we continue to share more stories on the people who make our work possible. Be sure to check back soon for part 2 of our Southwest stories.
