An Update from Lockport CARES, Inc
Going into our 15th year as the only homeless shelter in Eastern Niagara County, we can’t help but praise God’s faithfulness. This nonprofit started with a group of disciples who had a passion to serve the homeless and share the gospel. Now, we sit on a property with two beautiful homes where we are able to provide food, shelter, case management, encouragement, and the love of Jesus. Our mission is to “Serve people in need with shelter and compassion through the love of Jesus.” This mission has been a foundation to faithfully serve and share the gospel to over a thousand residents since we began in 2009.
By all accounts, Lockport CARES shouldn’t be able to exist in this small and economically depressed area. But, because of His faithfulness we are still faithfully serving the homeless in Eastern Niagara County. We want to share the testimony of one of our previous residents who just stepped back out into the community, but now with housing, healthcare, community, employment, and of course the love of Jesus!
“I suppose the best way for me to begin this testimonial is to simply tell you my story in the most honest and straightforward way that I can. When I arrived at Lockport CARES, I was lost, a bit broken, very much alone, and in desperate need of a guiding light to help me out of a very dark tunnel. I’d lost my baby, my parents, a brother to cancer, and then lost my husband of 20 years to Covid. Struggling with grief, loss, economic and financial issues, housing and job loss, I was feeling extremely defeated and had even lost my faith in God. Today, at this very moment, I can honestly tell you that because of the people at Lockport CARES, I am a woman with a whole new outlook, attitude, and excitement for life. My faith in people has been restored and more importantly, my faith in God is the center of my life again.
How is this possible in such a short span of time? That’s a very simple answer. The people here are filled with so much love, support, empathy, and encouragement. The staff here become your friends and become like family to many of us that pass through these doors.
You have to put in the hard work to follow the guidance that you’re given here, but at the end of your long day, the Lockport CARES staff are here to welcome you home with a beautiful dinner, words of hope and praise, and lessons in God’s love. The people here have saved my life and my faith by being faithful in what the Lord has called them to do. I’m leaving here a different woman than the broken person that first walked through the door. I’m employed, I have housing, I have FAITH, and I have some beautiful new friendships that I’ll treasure for a lifetime.”
Stories like Colleen’s are powerful! They show us just how true Jesus’ words were when He said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of God.” (Matt. 5:3)
Our guests all come here because they are LOST but we do everything we can to make sure they are FOUND by Jesus through the power of the Gospel!