Homeless teens getting backpacks

Mission San Diego with Billy Graham is still ministering here. The organization’s Love-in-Action committee decided to provide filled backpacks for homeless teens and teens in crisis.

Care House Life Ministries and other groups began distributing these backpacks in late June after undergoing training. Many of the people giving out the backpacks are young people. In fact, some of the individuals were previously helped by Care House.

“It’s a tremendous opportunity to reach out to a population that is often neglected,” said Leah Blankenship, director of the ministry. “There are estimates of about 2,000 homeless teens in the city alone.”

Care House is distributing about 300 backpacks filled with personal items, including calling cards to enable teens to call home for help.

Care House is also launching another ministry in August to reach out to homeless teenagers in need.

“In researching the various locations that you might find homeless teens, we discovered many teens, for safety reasons, ride the trolley all night,” Blankenship said.

“For this reason, we will send teams onto the trolley weekly during the summer months. The purpose will not only be to pass our phone cards and fast food gift certificates, but also to share resources and encouraging words regarding our Christian faith.”

For more information about either Care House program, call the ministry at (619) 299-2777.

Mission San Diego with Billy Graham was held on May 8-11 and the ministry office will remain open until July 18. For more information about Love-in-Action, call (858) 277-2003.