Related blogs
Content linked below doesn't necessarily represent the views of the Jesus Army
friendship
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Musicians, Immigrants and Administrators
Rob Halligan, musician and a manager at the Coventry Jesus Centre tells of music breaking the icePublished: 27th Aug 2013I've been working at the the Coventry Jesus Centre since 2004, mainly under the 'admin' banner. It means I go to the bank, sort out time sheets and create invoices for groups that hire our rooms for their own events. But more recently I've been taking time to hang out in the 'Bridge', our daily drop-in, and it's been great to be on the ground, meeting the guys that see us as a safe and friendly place.
I had this brilliant thing happen the other week.
One of the things that stops me from talking to people I don't know is that I get a complete blank when it comes to knowing what to talk about. All I really know about is music and with that I'm no expert! So the other week, I'm sitting...
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Seven Stories of Forgotten People
Julia Faire puts us in the shoes of seven visitors to the Coventry Jesus Centre.Published: 29th Apr 2013
THESE ARE hard times for the poor. Not many would argue with that. UK Government austerity measures have meant that increasing numbers of people are unable to make ends meet. Food banks are busier than ever (according to an article in the Guardian, three open every week) and recent headlines reveal that child poverty is again on the increase. Over 6 million people are unemployed or underemployed and benefits and the minimum wage rates are falling well behind that of inflation. Key charities are struggling financially, leaving some of our most vulnerable citizens badly in need of support.
At Coventry Jesus Centre ‘The Bridge’ drop-in is open five mornings a week: free breakfasts, showers and clothes are provided and... Comments Read more » -
A case of changed identity
Laurence Cooper tells the story of two changed lives and a kitchen sink.Published: 24th Sep 2010MY FRIEND Dave works in the kitchen at one of our Jesus Centres. When he’s not making breakfasts for the many homeless and disadvantaged people who come into the centre, Dave is also their sometime counsellor, occasional medic and – always – their good friend.
But Dave didn’t always do this sort of thing. At one time he had a very different sort of job. Some years back he was an altogether different kind of character.
A few months ago a chap called Will came to work with Dave, helping him to cook, wash up and generally run the busy kitchen. Will is a Christian, interested in the work of the Jesus Centre, wanting to play his part.
Dave had a funny feeling that he knew Will, but couldn...
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Seeing me helping there has given them hope
Client becomes volunteer at Jesus CentrePublished: 24th Sep 2007
Once a client at the Coventry Jesus Centre, John Walker is now a helper there. He is interviewed by Fiona Liston.
FIONA: How would you describe yourself a year ago?
JOHN: I had a job, but in the evenings was going out selling drugs. I was living with my fiancee and baby daughter. We were going to get married, but when she found out I was dealing, that was the end of the relationship.
Why did you come to the Jesus Centre?
Someone at the 'Cyrenians' told me that it was a place to get a cheap breakfast. I was homeless at the time so I went along. I thought it would be like the Oliver Twist scenario, but people were surprisingly friendly. I was amazed...
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No more 'pass the parcel'
After fourteen different children's homes, there wasn't much Dave Corbett didn't know about survival.Published: 9th Sep 2006"I WAS put in care at the age of three," explains Dave, now 24.
"If someone had been honest with me as a child and explained why I was in care, I might have been OK. But I was adult before I was told Dad was violent towards Mum. She was struggling with alcoholism and five other children. I was the youngest. So I went into care. Unanswered questions created so much pain inside. I rebelled against every type of authority."
Because of his behaviour, Dave was transferred from one home to another, like 'pass the parcel'. At twelve, he ran away, stealing clothes off washing lines and robbing shops to survive. The following year he did it again. Staff said they'd had enough and screwed down the...
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