www.christianvoicemonthly.com www.christianvoicemonthly.com B r a n d o n • Va l r i c o • L i t h i a • S e f f n e r • R i v e r v i e w • P l a n t C i t y • A p o l l o B e a c h Volume 23, Issue 8
Homes For Troops
A Free Publication from Osprey Observer Inc.
August 2019
Nativity Catholic Church Partners With The Sheriff Office’s Homeless Initiative
By Amanda Boston
Hooked On Books
Dine Local
In the Tampa-Hillsborough area, approximately 1,650 men, women and children are homeless. These are individuals who are sleeping in cars, on the streets or in transitional housing and shelters. In 2010, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) enacted the Homeless Initiative to help solve this issue and partners with various social service agencies, businesses and nonprofit organizations. A deputy is assigned to five different districts and works with the local community to find long-term solutions. In addition to the daily interactions, the HCSO and Tampa Police Department partner with local churches and organizations to hold quarterly outreaches. On June 18, Nativity Catholic Church of Brandon opened up its campus to serve 150 homeless people. The homeless were bussed in, walked or were transported by deputies. "The homeless population in our area is growing, and there are no shelters in Eastern Hillsborough County to help these individuals," explained Bonnie Ussery, the director of Pastoral Care at Nativity. "I see them (homeless) come through Pastoral Care on a weekly basis. Much of the homeless population is affected by alco-
Kathy Damico, one of the organizers of outreach and the financial administrative assistant at Nativity, commented, “It (the outreach) was well-organized, and it brought me joy, and I'm sure that my co-workers will agree, that we were part of this remarkable event ministering to those in need. We can't wait to do it again next year.” The outreach not only offered short-term relief such as a homecooked spaghetti dinner prepared by Nativity volholism, drug abuse unteers, but and mental health also presented issues, which need to long-term solube the emphasis for tions by conhelp." necting individTo pull off this uals with menevent, Nativity tal health help employed an army of and housing parish volunteers to On June 18, Nativity Catholic Church opened up assistance. transform its social hall its doors to hold HCSO’s quarterly Homeless Ussery Initiative outreach. and parking lot into a continued, “We ‘one-stop shop’ of community resources. do ministries like this at Nativity for the From basic necessities to bicycles, the glory of God, and we are blessed to have outreach event involved close to 80 differparishioners who are so supportive.” ent types of social services where individuFor more information about the HCSO als could receive toiletries, health-screenHomeless Initiative, visit its Facebook ings, immunizations, haircuts, clothing page at HCSO Homeless Initiative or items, food, showers, housing assistance email Deputy Stephanie Krager at and spiritual counseling. skrager@hcso.tampa.fl.us.
Mike Rowe Surprises Local Military Retreat With New Boat
100th Birthday
Columns: Grace Notes:
Page 5
Hooked On Books:
Page 11
Faith & Footprints:
Page 13
Your Monthly Catch: Page 14
Mike Rowe made a surprise appearance at My Warrior’s Place, a special military retreat center in Ruskin, to surprise its founder, Kelly Kowall. Kowall is one of those amazing individuals that turned her personal tragedy into a lifetime commitment of helping others. Her son, Army Spc. Corey Kowall was killed in Afghanistan in 2009. A series of signs and miracles led Kowall to find a way to honor her son's memory and make a positive difference in the lives of others dealing with grief or other postmilitary issues. Unbeknownst to Kowall, volunteer Craig Gross nominated her for Mike Rowe’s show, Returning Returning The Favor, hosted by Mike Rowe, The Favor (RTF). RTF is an made a surprise visit to Kelly Kowall, founder of My Warrior’s Place in Ruskin. American reality web television of the surprise, Rowe purchased series that premiered in August 2017 As part a new boat for the retreat center. on Facebook Watch. It follows Rowe has nearly one million as he travels across the United followers. States in search of people who are “I was originally contacted giving back to their communities. At by a production company that the end of each episode, Rowe sursaid that they wanted to do a prises those being profiled with small public service video feasomething to help them continue turing My Warrior’s Place,” said their good works. Although Rowe Kowall. “They did a very good is best known for hosting his wildly job surprising me.” In fact, the popular television show, Dirty producers did such a good job keepJobs, his new web-only show RTF, ing Rowe’s show a secret from
By Kelly Wise Valdes
Kowall, that she did not realize it was a ‘Mike Rowe show’ until filming began when he walked up to her to introduce himself. Watching the episode, the audience can clearly see the moment Kowall realized that this was no ordinary day. However, she still had no idea how extraordinary the day would become. My Warrior’s Place is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit retreat center located directly on the Little Manatee River. The entire compound is a labor of love every day for Kowall, along with the dedicated volunteers who are needed on a daily basis. “It’s a place of refuge and healing from the tragedies that so many military and families endure,” said Kowall. She explained to Rowe on the show that many military families find peace and healing on the water—fishing, boating, kayaking or canoeing. Rowe was so impressed by what he experienced at
Continued on Page 8