Two Ways to Commit to Mercy and Justice This Year

By
Corrie Mitchell

As followers of Jesus, we are called not to occasional, sporadic giving of ourselves, but to a lifestyle of generosity—generosity of our time, our talents, and our treasures. In fact, Isaiah 58:10 includes an exhortation for us to give all of ourselves to those in need:

“if you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday.”

If you’re ready to make mercy and justice a regular part of your life, here are two ways we invite you to go deeper:

1. Join The Hope Exchange

The Hope Exchange is a community of New Yorkers who have made a monthly commitment to giving to the poor of our city. Through The Hope Exchange, you can commit to generosity to the poor throughout the year in a planned, consistent way.

While a one-time gift to Hope for New York can do great things for the poor of our city, the same amount on a monthly basis can compound to make a big difference over the course of the year. For instance, $30 a month—roughly the cost of just one dinner out—could provide medical consultations for 13 homeless men and women.

2. Commit to volunteering regularly

While there are times for one-time outreaches, you’ll have an even greater impact on your community when you make volunteering a more regular part of your life. And that can take many forms.

Love working with young people? Consider leading weekly small group activities with high school students in the Bronx and Harlem through Shiloh NYC. Or work one-on-one tutoring Harlem high school students weekly with StreetSquash.

Want to support people with disabilities? Become a voluntary advocate with Do For One, where you’ll be matched with one person with disabilities in need of guidance, companionship, or advocacy.

Are you the athletic type? Join Back on My Feet for regular early morning runs with homeless men and women.

Enjoy a nice walk? Participate in weekend walks around Harlem twice a month with one or two women in the orientation phase at The Bowery Mission Women’s Center.

*   *   *

If we want to be a people who seek the shalom of our city, we must also be a people who don’t hesitate to go deeper. Deeper in relationship with our neighbors. Deeper in commitment to generous living. Join us in bringing hope and restoration to our neighbors and our city this year.