Thank you Paul Benish for this wonderful ministry. I had the pleasure of working as one of the volunteers and seeing your interaction with these men. It embarrassed me that I was so wary of them when I first arrived. You treated them as they should be treated, as human beings deserving of our respect. Their gratitude for the shelter GIFTS had provided left me with a profound gift as well. I left that church seeing life in a different way. I'm sure the other volunteers felt the same. Thank you for enlightning the volunteers as well as providing shelter for these men. See you next fall.

Part 3

To the poster, prejudice, hatred and false information have no place in community problem solving. If you have come up with any ideas that can help, we’d love to hear from you. If you’d like to take action, rather than just complain, we invite you to join us.
I will, once again, invite you to learn more about your brothers in need. Learn about the people living right here in your town that could use your help. The schedule for next season will be online. If you’d like to call me directly, my number is 751-7848. Pray that someone like GIFTS is still there if you or someone you know needs the love of a fellow human being. Many folks are just one paycheck away from being our guest. We will love them, and you.

God Bless You!
-Paul Benish

Part 2
1) 1,000 “participants” kind of speaks to collective wisdom and kindness of Janesville doesn’t it? In-kind donations were things like church goers preparing meals that they would share with the guests. It also included basic necessities such as toothpaste, deodorant and underwear and clothing. This sharing and getting to know the guys vanquished the initial skepticism and fear that many volunteers had. What a concept, getting to know them and learning about their circumstances before judging them. And Cash? In the first season, we spent a grand total of $799.74. This was for items such as pre-paid cell phones and a PO Box so that they could apply for jobs. Think about it. When the guys fill out a job application, the first 3 lines are A) Name, B) Address, C) Phone Number. They had the first one. We also bought shower supplies and additional bedding. What do you think it would have cost to have the government run a program with 1,000 workers? We have made a conscious decision to NOT accept taxpayer money. Inefficient and ineffective? Now she’s just making stuff up. We’ll love her anyway. Out of the 70+ guests, there were 2 that were with us every night. Even those 2 (less than 3%) cannot claim that it is more than temporary. They must find alternatives after May 4. If I were homeless and broke, how long would it take to become un-homeless? Find a job, buy necessities, save for the 1st month’s rent, last months rent, security deposit, plus food and utilities and furnishings… I don’t think I could do it in 5 months. Let’s talk about the financial competency and management ability of those involved with GIFTS, shall we? I am a Certified Financial Planner® Practitioner. I’ve been in the banking and investment business for over 15 years now. We also have accountants, attorneys, Social Service professionals and teachers. Combine that with the collective wisdom of over 1,000 other dedicated volunteers. We’ll love her anyway.
Nowhere did the article say that “Benish finds only the Christian community is to be applauded”. Again, the poster is just making stuff up. We’ll love her anyway. Be assured that this WAS inspired by the teachings of Jesus Christ. In the parable of the Good Samaritan, He instructs us to “Go and do likewise”. And in Matthew 25:40; “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” By seeing people of many different faiths joining forces, working together regardless of affiliation, we really did see the walls of separation begin to come down. I think we’ve addressed all of the “less than positive” aspects that were brought up. (continued)

This may take more than one post.

Merriam-Webster defines prejudice as: (1): preconceived judgment or opinion (2): an adverse opinion or leaning formed without just grounds or before sufficient knowledge b: an instance of such judgment or opinion c: an irrational attitude of hostility directed against an individual, a group, a race, or their supposed characteristics

Until now, I have ignored the hateful and prejudicial comments of a certain poster. It seems as though, every time there is an article on something good in this community, this poster is right there spewing hatred and ignorance. I thought to myself, “Well, she just doesn’t understand. We will love her anyway. She will see how this will be a good thing. After the first season, she’ll know that the GIFTS ministry is inspired by Christ’s love and that it’s well run.”

With prejudice being irrational hostility formed without just grounds or before sufficient knowledge, I will try to enlighten the poster. Let’s look at her latest posting. I’ll reference the numbers in the posting and you can follow along:
1) The fact is, during the first season, we made exactly zero calls to the police department for any type of incident involving shelter guests. That’s none, nada, zip. On the occasions when the Janesville Police Department did visit the shelter, it was for one of 2 reasons. The first is that, in the process of conducting our normal background checks, we informed them that we had someone they were looking for. Our policy states that, in those instances, for the safety of the guests, the volunteers, the facilities and the neighborhoods, we will let the police know. We are told that the police appreciate the help in easily locating these individuals. The second reason they visited was after the police sought our help. There were instances when they had found someone, walking the streets or living under a bridge that was cold, hungry and tired, with no place to go. They wanted to bring him in for shelter.

The “costs to those living near the shelters” is non-existent. We take great care to minimize any impact. In fact, when the shelter was scheduled to debut near this poster’s neighborhood, I hand delivered a message to her home. It explained the ministry, invited her to volunteer or just come for a visit to see for herself. I also included my personal cell phone number for her to call if she had any questions, concerns or issues. To date, she has not called. We will love her anyway. (continued)

The only piece of information I found interesting was the walls of churches coming down. Why are there so many churches? Christians should be able to get along under the same roof. Did Jesus promote so many different churches? No. By the way, it would make more sense to keep the homeless shelter at one church (consolidate your resources). Look at the example of Shelter Care Ministries in Rockford.

1) Agreed this is an amazingly positive article...just why did the Gazette leave out the details of the number of police calls to these shelters, number of men seeking shelter who were arrested on outstanding warrants, and so forth that DID happen. These activities had costs to those living near the shelters that are generally unseen, unheard of, and equal to or greater than the costs of emergency services.
2) 1,000 "participants", undoubtedly an equally high number of in-kind donations AND cash, and all for 70 men.It seems a very inefficient and ineffective delivery cost of services in time, energy and money to meet a need that most apparently think is larger and growing. IMAGINE if the existing professional and governmental social service agencies were provided such unlimited help! But, I forget, as their budgets shrink because of faith-based charities, people can only find fault that they're not meeting the need. How many of these men found the shelter as "home" every night of the program rather than "temporary" shelter? Perhaps rather than doing in-depth background checks on the homeless who use the shelter, an assessment of the financial competency and management ability of those administering GIFTS should be considered.
3) It's noted this is bringing the "religious community" together. Apparently Benish finds only the Christian community is to be applauded for being worthy, caring and accomodating of the homeless in Rock Co.

If the GIFTS program wants greater acceptance and support, they and the Gazette must be honest about the less than positive aspects and consequences of the program, as well all the "feel good" aspects.

Doc, There is no location or address listed because it is a "rotating" shelter. It has no permanent site and moves from church to church for a week at a time. According to the website, the mailing address is: PO Box 897, Janesville, WI 53547

This is A great cause and I'm so glad that the Gloom and Doom Gazette printed it...... First positive article since they started (The Sky Is Falling continued GM stories) But I have to ask with such A great story how could they leave the location and address out?

It's nice to see a program for homeless men. As a man I know it's hard to get help when needed. Keep up the good work and I'll donate to the cause, just tell me where to sent the check.

We need more community programs like this, it makes me proud to know there are good people in our city that can set aside petty differences and act like Jesus wanted us to. Keep up the efforts, together we grow as a community.

I had the pleasure to volunteer the two times that GIFTS came to my church. These guys are great people and I wish the best for them!

This is a noble cause and they will certainly be needed and busy in the coming months, once those overpaid GM workers have the floor (and house) drop out from under them.

I am glad that the program worked, with so many skeptics at the beginning, it is good to hear that this worked and will maybe draw more people next year.