Urban Ministry Center

Neighbor Stories

DENNIS
In elementary school, children are taught to always try their best and shoot for the moon. But, what happens to the child whose best is never good enough? And what about the boy who is told his dreams are impossible and that he will never make a difference in the world?

Meet Dennis. By age 23, his mental illness had become so overwhelming that his parents left him to care for himself. He was forced to find residence in a group home in western North Carolina. But, like most men, Dennis longed to be independent and make something of himself. A gentle whisper of confidence, not from the world, but from his own heart, prompted him to move from the mountains to Charlotte, N.C.

However, the transition proved more than Dennis could handle, and in 1995 Dennis came to the Urban Ministry Center for help. He was homeless and needed an address where he could receive his disability check. His demeanor was marked by impatience and fits of uncontrollable anger.

Counselors helped Dennis contact the Social Security office and change his address to 945 North College Street, the Urban Ministry Center's address. The process was painfully lengthy for Dennis, but he honored his heart and continued to persevere. Finally, after three phone calls, he received his check for $525. Dennis left elated, but returned later that day with a wad of cash in his hand. He had chosen to tithe ten percent of his check to the Urban Ministry Center.

"After all he had been through, everything in me wanted to tell him to keep the money. He certainly needed it more than we did, but at the time it was important for him to do that," recalls Executive Director Dale Mullenix, "It was an incredible moment."

So often, the Urban Ministry Center thinks in terms of what homeless people need and not what they can give. Dennis knew in his heart he had something to offer the world and he did.

DONALD
Picture this - It is a quiet afternoon when suddenly an old man, so frail he can barely stand, appears at your door. He is wearing pajamas, a hospitable bracelet and a look of desperation on his face. He makes a small and innocent request for "a little somethin' to eat and a place to clean up a bit." You just fixed lunch and offer to feed him, but bathing him is a different story. He obviously cannot wash himself and will need some help. What do you do?

A few summers ago, Dale Mullenix, the Executive Director of the Urban Ministry Center, was faced with this very situation. His hesitant response prompted an unexpected response from a neighbor named Donald. Donald was developmentally disabled and barely capable of dressing himself, yet alone someone else.

Nevertheless, Donald offered to help, and he and the old man spent the next two hours in the bathroom together. "Here was a man that was supposed to be on the receiving end, delivering services to someone he did not even know," said Mullenix.

Although limited in intelligence, Donald was gifted in compassion. He did not merely see a need, but responded. Donald currently resides in a group home in North Carolina.

Thank you, Mikel Casey, for documenting these stories for us.