While in New York recently for some fun and some foundation business, I had the opportunity to stop by Moravian Open Door (MOD). Susan Attzs-Mendoza, MOD’s Executive Director, invited me to join the residents for breakfast. Early this year, Moravian Ministries Foundation in America made a grant of $50,000 from our Hunger & Thirst Field of Interest Fund to MOD for their Healthy Breakfast Program. The grant will be paid in two equal installments, with part distributed early this year and the second half in 2023. Seeing this program in action was such a blessing for me. I shared breakfast with residents and MOD employees. William, Walt, and Mike, all told me how much it meant for them to have a healthy breakfast to start their day. Their days include appointments, job responsibilities around the various Boroughs of New York and living their lives with the vision of transitioning to permanent housing of their own and/or continuing to work toward additional responsibilities in various careers.
If you are not familiar with MOD, it is a transitional housing ministry of the Moravian Church Northern Province. MOD takes people from the streets of New York, gives them a place to stay with a bedroom of their own, and then provides the structure to support them as they move toward permanent housing. In 30+ years, New Yorkers who have made their way through MOD and into permanent housing have never returned to the streets. That’s right, those who found permanent housing from MOD never were homeless again. Solving homelessness one person at a time.
MOD does not provide meals for residents outside of the daily breakfast. Residents usually must purchase or prepare their own food. The Healthy Breakfast Program gives them the start to the day that is needed for the foundation of success. They know they will get that one meal without worry or concern. Our grant funding not only helps with purchasing food and supplies, but we also help pay the cook that prepares their healthy breakfast. Moe takes great pride in her work and her cooking is top notch.
Programs like this would not be possible without your donations, prayers, and support. It is our honor to steward grants to great programs like this within the Moravian Church. For more information or to donate today, check out our field of interest funds at https://www.mmfa.com/giving-portal/.
