Did you know that there are 1.3 million homeless YOUTH in the US?  Yesterday Hillsborough County had their Homeless Youth Forum and Philomena Johnson, my faith formation partner and Coordinator of Youth Ministries participated. I had planned to be there, but was called away with another committment. Phil shared with me so much of what she learned later that afternoon....well, I'll let her say it in her own words through an email she sent me...
"It was a very insightful morning and I learned a great deal about not only our county and the plight of homeless teens we have but also some staggering numbers for our state. Very sad! There was a panel of teens who are currently homeless who shared their stories and while all sad; the strength and courage these young people exhibited gives me great hope. They were all extremely positive about what they want to do with their lives, aside from all wanting and desiring an education they all wanted to give back to people in need. Gov. Rick Scott was there and signed into effect a new bill which will allow homeless teens to gain access to their birth records and have the ability to make decisions for themselves since their parents have basically thrown them away. The bill was brought to the House and Senate by other teens from Armwood High School, which I though was awesome. They knew of fellow students who were homeless and the problems that they were having and struck out to make a difference. Now if teens can find the solutions, what is stopping us?"
Phil sat with Ms. Ellie Kurzawa, pastor of a local non-denominational Christian church, with whom we have been working with since last year, serving the homeless people in our own city.  Our youth and families have committed to serve food on Friday night and to pray with those who are hungry and looking for food or drink.  Through Ms. Ellie, we have learned how to work together as ONE community of baptized Christians to do the Lord's work.  She has been doing this  with a smile and a big heart for over 15 years, rain, sleet or shine. The homeless are her friends and she has introduced them to us by name. She is an inspiration to Phil and I!
For more info. on the homeless youth in our area and their personal stories check out this link: http://invisibleinnocence.com/
So to quote my collegue Philomena....if youth can find a solution what is stopping us?