A Table for Everyone: DJ Vincent and the Origins of Church at the Park

John Marshall | 00:08
Welcome to The Humanity of Homelessness, a podcast from Church at the Park in Salem, Oregon. Since 2007, Church at the Park has created community with our neighbors living outside. Today, we get to offer collaborative navigation, emergency sheltering, workforce development, and supported housing for our neighbors in need. In each episode, we hear from a member of our community who is experiencing or has experienced homelessness. We invite them to share their story in their own words so that they and we can You might remember their goodness, their courage, their hope, and their humanity. You can find this podcast wherever podcasts are found, and it is helpful for us if you subscribe and share episodes that inspire you. Thanks to everyone for tuning in and joining us as we celebrate good news in the hardest, most unexpected places. Today, for our very first episode, we hear from DJ Vincent. DJ is the founding pastor and CEO of Church of the Park. We invited him to be our first guest because his story of experience and relationships provides grounding context for the work our organization does today. We'll ask him to share some of that history as well as bits of his own story. We hope you enjoy. DJ, thanks for being here. Thanks for being willing to be our first guest and share about Church of the Park.
DJ Vincent | 01:18
Yeah, it's great to be here, and it can only get better after this one.
John Marshall | 01:22
Well, let's just jump into the work that we're doing and some of the story behind it all. The easiest place for me to start is just to reflect that in the past five years that I've been at Church of the Park, we've grown from a grassroots community, primarily building relationship in the context of Cascades Gateway Park. Into this multimillion-dollar operation with over 100 staff and 250 emergency shelter beds and permanent supportive housing and case management, a safety team, etc. And I think most people in the world only know Church of the Park in this more recent form and don't even realize that there's, you know, almost this two decades worth of history and stories and relationships that have gotten us to this point.
So can you share some of the origin story of our community? What were some of those early experiences that inform, you know, and shape who we are today?
DJ Vincent | 02:11
Yeah, what a beautiful way to start. Thinking back to the invitation from other community members to see that there were folks living at Cascade Gateway Park, joining the point-in-time interview process, that was an invitation to relationship and to recognize there were over 20 folks living there.
Right? Behind the school, that we were starting a congregation that wanted to care for our neighborhood, So... That care started with a monthly potluck. And when you want to build... Authentic relationship through a monthly potluck, Those relationships can take time to develop. And so the early going, was honestly very slow. And I remember three people that probably shaped a lot of what we do now. One of those would be Steve, a person that we met that had been living in the park for over a decade. And so thinking, is there any possibility that this person would want to move from where they are now? And yet through connection and that relational impact, we and I learned from Steve that many times you can't just give things to people thinking that that's going to change their life or trajectory. We actually needed to allow Steve to participate. And become the giver and the person providing food boxes for him to get this imagination that he wanted to be a person who was giving more and more back to his community. And that actually living in an apartment would give him a whole nother community to participate in. Another person that comes to mind is Juanita, a person who was really intent on being a caregiver of others, even though she was living in her vehicle. But she had a pet, a little puppy that there was no imagination that she would ever be separated from that animal. And that really softened my heart and perspective around the need and connection people had with their animals.
And then a third person that probably shapes a lot of how we operate now is Kay and her partner, Randy. And the fact that Kay and Randy were never legally married, but they were bonded together as partners. And there was no opportunity you could provide one of them that didn't need to include the other. And so we were never able to connect them with shelter until 12 years later, we were providing a shelter that honored kind of their living situation.
John Marshall | 05:18
And as I have experienced the Church of the Park community, you know, there's this kind of grounding narrative around that first potluck in Cascades Gateway Park and the way that experience inspired. A desire to return to the park after that first time. And, you know, you are gracious to remember Julie, who had a particular reflection on that day. And I'm thinking it would just be so helpful for those who are still so curious about how in the world the Church of the Park form in the first place. What was that story? What was that day like? What was Julie's influence on the future vision of what Church of the Park would become? Julie.
DJ Vincent | 05:57
My own personality is one of like trying a lot of different things. And so I had actually done the point in time count a whole year before we were ever doing a potluck. And I probably didn't have much of an imagination the day we did that first potluck that we would be doing more potlucks. And so we do this thing every. Action, and then reflection in our church community. And so we did the potluck and we had a intentional time afterwards to have different people kind of check out and reflect on what was meaningful about it to them. And it was Julie who stood up and had her Bible open and read from this passage. Luke 14, that said, you know, when you give a banquet, don't invite your friends or neighbors, but invite the poor. And she expressed with passion that this was the first time in her life as a Jesus follower that she had ever been obedient. To that command of Jesus. And it is in the kind of imperative, it's a command to do this thing where you share your table with those in your community who have less than you. And she was realizing, I've never done that before today. And I guess if we're going to be a church that's trying to follow the practices of Jesus, we're We should probably do this again. And so she challenged us in that moment to do another potluck and then another potluck.
John Marshall | 07:41
I'm feeling myself blessed to remember the names of the people that you mentioned, Steve and Juanita, Kay and Randy. These are all humans that I've encountered and met. I found myself in really meaningful relationship with. And so as I think of them and I think about the goal of this podcast, which is to highlight and celebrate the stories of those in our community with lived experience of homelessness, you know, The hope is that in this format we humanize the reality of poverty and trauma and abuse and neglect. And I'm thinking about moments where I've stood in a room where homelessness is the topic of conversation. And it is a consistent reflection of mine that if I say this word homelessness in a room full of 100 random people, likely that word... Is going to split that room down an ideological and philosophical line. And so I'm, as I'm listening to you recount stories of the early days of our community, it's obvious to me that like the fact that you have stewarded Church of the Park for 18 years and you've chosen our mission and our vision and our values as you have, like, That has to mean that there's something in your humanity and your story, DJ, that pulls you into this type of work.
So can you share elements of your own life story that have brought you to your vision of the world today? Have compelled you to invest your life and the life of humans on the margins.
DJ Vincent | 08:57
I love that question, John. And the reality is, the more that I reflect on my own life and path, I can see that the best parts of who I am and who I'm becoming are an imitation of others, that I see their life as beautiful. And in this area, I will share about a few people in terms of when we first moved to New York. To Salem and we were thinking about being a family and Serving our neighborhood, we were introduced to a couple. Sam and Jennifer Skillern, and they shared this story around being invited to lead this organization, the Salem Leadership Foundation. And they were so intentional about choosing the neighborhood they wanted to live in. They said they wanted to choose a neighborhood that needed people to incarnate love and kindness and engagement together. In the local school. And so they actually did a search to find the neighborhood and school that was struggling the most in our whole city and believing that if they went there and put flesh on love, that it would make a difference. And so that whole idea that our proximity to people and our proximity can... To challenge can actually be a good thing, that it can bring hope and it can actually bring change.
So in this area of like why the unsheltered, there's this story that is even older around St. Francis of Assisi. And believing that when he turned his attention and relationship to those who had real need of food or clothing, it was in interactions with those folks that he felt the closest to God, that those were thin spaces. And he felt that his own relationship with Jesus was clear and tangible to him. And I feel like that gave me imagination for these potlucks at the park that when I would sit down for a meal with Steve and Randy and Kay and Juanita, that I actually felt closer to God in those spaces. Than any other spaces. And I actually felt like the best version of myself and that there is need in those places and that having proximity to that could make a difference in their lives.
John Marshall | 11:47
I'm... By a few things you said in that response. Around this theme of imitation of others and naming St. Francis' experience that is proximity. To challenge was this thin space where he found himself becoming maybe a deeper, more true version of himself. And I think of moments where I've listened to you reflect on meaningful guides and one that you and I both share is someone we look up to as Eugene Peterson and He has this idea of a long obedience in the same direction. This idea that we become who we are intended to be by remaining in the place where we have the most to grow perhaps. And so I'm just curious if, you would reflect on anything particular, you know, what has been the fruit of your long obedience in the same direction, moving closer and closer. Proximity to pain and poverty and homelessness. How have you become a more true version of yourself because of this work?
DJ Vincent | 12:48
Yeah, I'm inspired by the way that you're sharing that I do believe we are formed into the kind of humans that bring beauty into the world and reflect the glory of God by actually practicing what can seem like simple things. Like an open table to neighbors and folks in need, an open ear to those who've experienced trauma and pain. That in sitting with that kind of need, it can create this deeper well of empathy, compassion, understanding in us as people. And sometimes in our desire to not feel so much pain, if we move towards comfort, we will actually become a lesser version of ourselves.
John Marshall | 13:47
For anyone who's listening to this episode and they hear the language of deeper compassion, deeper understanding, I can imagine that might stir up questions and curiosities, you know, around the reality of homelessness and wanting to understand what is the reality and what is it like to experience this reality of living outside and living behind bushes and under trees. And the most common question you or I probably get from the world is, so what's the solution? But answering that question almost requires us to ask this question. Preliminary question, how did we get here in the first place? And so for folks who are wanting to develop this understanding, eventually I'll ask you to share how Church of the Park is attempting to offer those solutions, but...
Before that, I want to ask you how you begin to respond to folks who are curious about the origins of homelessness and poverty. So what are the common threads and factors and experiences that... Our neighbors living outside report as the reasons why they're experiencing homelessness.
DJ Vincent | 14:41
Yeah, the thing that we begin to see as we sit with so many stories is behind each of the symptoms is this thread of broken relationship many times of Early on, a person that was meant to be a support or a caregiver has not been that for the folks that we get to come alongside. And so the number one thing that people share in their story is this fact that their health issues, Mental and physical is a struggle that has caused them to be alienated from people in their life, as well as their financial stability. And so when we think about Yes. Money is driving people to be on sidewalks or in parks because they can't afford an apartment. They can't afford their health care in a traditional setting, and it has created these challenges. And we know that stress and challenges puts even more pressure on relationship. Many times when those pressures of relationship because of finance, of health care, loss of job, then all of a sudden they're turning to things to numb that pain. And I see most opioid... For - Alcohol challenge. Be a numbing, a secondary cause, but an accelerant. To these broken relationships and economic hardship. It is very tragic that in so many of the conversations that we have, once someone has had a poor relationship with someone else or a system, they get involved with the justice system. And the way our justice system works is it penalizes people and punishes them forever. Instead of rehabilitating. The desire is to protect vulnerable folks from harm. But when you give someone a felony, it makes it so hard for them to get a job or housing. And so, unfortunately, the folks that we serve, many times they do have felonies, but they're being punished unfairly. Over and over again for that situation they were in, that sometimes they were partially the victim. And other times, they needed to take responsibility. But is that a forever responsibility?
And then we'll lean into the fact that in our county, Half of the folks that we serve are women. And almost every one of those women have a story of being the victim of violence. And so when we see folks on the sidewalk or in the park, we have to know they are carrying so much. And when we load them up within our expectations that it should be much easier for them to get a job and get stabilized, we have to realize what they're carrying.
John Marshall | 18:09
So now, take listeners through the current programs and strategies we're employing at Church of the Park. What are we up to? And how do you see our community offering viable solutions to the problems that you just named?
DJ Vincent | 18:21
Yeah, so if the challenges I'm laying out are because of relationship. We believe the solutions need to be driven by relationship. And so our goal is to put people in proximity to healthy relationships and healthy people. That almost always has to start with outreach and building a trusting relationship with someone. That outreach could come through an outreach case manager, which we have several teams. Come through our trained safety individuals who our desire is that they would be resource navigators for individuals. Right now, the way the world sees safe parking, it's an outreach intervention, but it's one we partner with churches on across the city to provide safe places for people to park and to begin relationship with. Then when we're in relationship, we see these big rocks of how do we help people navigate and stabilize their health care team?
So physical health, emotional health, mental health. Then how do we help them imagine income stability? For over half the people we serve, that means social security and disabilities. They are literally senior citizens in our community, and yet they do need income stability. And for others who are younger, that means job workforce development opportunities. Then and only then do we move to these goals around housing. Because if you don't have those other teams in place, you're not actually set up for success to relaunch into our community with housing.
John Marshall | 20:07
DJ, you and I both know that this work and this scale of operation that we're up to, it doesn't happen without partnership from folks other than ourselves. And as you were describing all that we do, I was again, finding myself both grateful to be a part of this work and just wildly proud to be a part of the community. And that community, that circle of belonging that we find ourselves within extends way past the boundaries of our own spaces. Who are the partners, who are the funders, who are the co-visionaries in our world that you would highlight and celebrate as integral pieces to the mission we're up to? I.
DJ Vincent | 20:42
Love the opportunity to speak about partnership, and we wouldn't be here without it. The first partners we had in emergency warming were the good folks at Community Action Agency. They partnered in providing those initial resources, as well as initial policies and practices around emergency sheltering. Then from there... The opportunities to serve people through the Safe Parking Program and the early micro-shelter villages, it happened because of the leadership of the city of Salem. The current council and the mayor's office, and we wouldn't be here without them. Then when it comes to where we are at physically, the folks at Catholic Community Services made their facilities available. They have been a mentoring organization. They continue to make more and more space available to us to grow. And they're going to be partnering with us on a workforce development kitchen in the future. And now we're building all these new relationships. With the state, the governor's office, and the Oregon Housing and Community Services team.
John Marshall | 22:01
That is a all-star cast of supporters and partners. I will add my own word of gratitude for everyone that you named.
So now cast the vision for the next year, the next five years of Church of the Park. How do you see the reality of homelessness evolving in our community?
And then if you're willing to share how we're attempting to prepare ourselves for the ongoing needs in our city. Surrounding area.
DJ Vincent | 22:27
Yeah, so... We are excited to grow in every area of the continuum of care for folks.
So we want our outreach team to grow as well as to provide this safety support that is trauma-informed. And can interact with every person who's experiencing homelessness with kindness and care. We want more and more churches to be those places of safe rest. And we have three more churches joining that network in January. And we could work with a lot more churches in our community. We have three very specific micro-shelter communities in Salem, one for adults, one just for families, and one for young adults. And it's important that those folks get to be in an environment where we can bring the right resource partners on site. Then after a year of... Powerful community conversations and relationship building in Polk County. We're going to see a shelter opened up in January for families in Dallas.
Soon after that, we hope that the shelter for adults in Monmouth will be opened up. And in Salem, we were given a very unique opportunity where a couple who had been managing a house and an apartment set up for women exiting homelessness, they wanted to transition and retire. They passed that house on to Church at the Park. We call it the Coral House, and 28 women can live there in single-room occupancy. We support those women with our chaplain services, with case management and peer support. And some of those women will stay in that community for a long time and others will transition on because they'll get different jobs and they'll want to be in different housing scenarios. But that supported housing is something that Church of the Park feels like we're called to do in terms of staying in relationship. Coral House is just for women. But we would love to see a cottage cluster community for those who are older, who have experienced homelessness for a long time, and that they would really benefit from being around people with the similar lived experiences. We believe we could support a cottage community for those who have challenges around their mental health. And because our values are to put the person and the relationship first, we feel like there is this healing power in community. And rather than just... Placing individual after individual in scattered sites all around the city, we think some folks would thrive more if they were in a community that is a supported environment.
John Marshall | 25:50
Exciting stuff. I'm looking forward to seeing all of that come to be.
Like I said earlier, the idea and yet the word homelessness contains probably some ideological baggage for... Anyone who's engaged in the conversation.
So I'm wondering, kind of as we wrap up here for listeners who may be listening and then thinking, man, like, I'm just not convinced that the work of Church of the Park is worth it or like homelessness isn't a problem that is even the world's to solve. What final word or message would you give to suggest that this model of service is worthwhile? And maybe add to that, you know, what's a, what's one first step? That a random human can take to engage this issue in a helpful way.
DJ Vincent | 26:35
Yeah, I love the invitation to remind people that the answer to this challenge for the folks we see on sidewalks or in parks is a relational answer. They need real people to be a part of their lives. And so that may start with organizations like Church of the Park or Community Action Agency. But the vision, the dream is that those folks would be welcomed into our churches, into our senior living communities. And the answer is community. And so each of us are a part of that answer. And if we reflect on our lives and our table is never open to people who don't look like us or have the same amount of money as we do in our bank account, then I don't think we could say we're following in the way of Jesus to create a beloved community. And so my invitation is, first, you may need to walk with a group like Church at the Park to build some of those muscles. To come on site at our location and share a meal. But eventually, you'll be able to share your own table with those who don't look like you. Or pray like you.
John Marshall | 28:05
Well, DJ, again, thank you so much for saying yes to being our first podcast guest. Thanks for the stories you've shared, the humans that you've helped me remember. Before we sign off officially and end the episode, we do want to have you be our inaugural guinea pig for. What I'm calling the lightning round of questions that I hope to ask every guest that comes on the pod.
So in the interest of using this podcast to celebrate humanity, 10 questions are intended to get to know you as a human being just a little bit better. So here we go. Number one, what is the best dessert?
DJ Vincent | 28:45
Definitely my wife makes these chocolate Guinness cupcakes with cream cheese frosting.
John Marshall | 28:52
I can affirm that is one of, if not the best dessert I've had as well. Okay, number two, a genie grants you one wish. What do you wish Number three, would you rather go back in time and meet your ancestors or travel to the future and meet your descendants?
DJ Vincent | 29:00
For? I'm going to go with clean water. For every person on the planet.
I am definitely going to the future because I think everything is about imitation. Maybe seeing where they're at, I could, you know, alter some things in how I'm behaving.
John Marshall | 29:25
Number four. Cats or dogs?
DJ Vincent | 29:28
Dogs. All the time.
John Marshall | 29:31
Number five, apples or oranges.
DJ Vincent | 29:34
Apples, but can I have peanut butter on the side?
John Marshall | 29:37
All right, sixth question. What is your favorite smell?
DJ Vincent | 29:41
Definitely Pine trees.
John Marshall | 29:44
We live in a good spot for that. What is one thing you would add to Salem to make it better?
DJ Vincent | 29:50
I'm going with the development of the river walk so that, you know, we could just walk for miles along the Willamette River.
John Marshall | 30:02
All right, question eight. What piece of advice has helped you the most?
DJ Vincent | 30:06
If... We want to increase our community of belonging. We have to get. Closer to the people who are experiencing pain.
John Marshall | 30:20
What is your favorite thing about yourself?
DJ Vincent | 30:23
Definitely my... Desire. Include. Everyone in a party.
John Marshall | 30:31
Finally, what is your biggest hope for your future?
DJ Vincent | 30:36
I'm going to go with my dream that, Weapons. Especially guns, will actually be Made into plowshares... For other purposes in my lifetime.
John Marshall | 30:54
This is the word of the Lord. Well, DJ, thank you for your time today. Thanks for being with us. And thanks to all you listening for joining us on this first episode of the humanity of homelessness. Thank you again to DJ for your own presence and your vulnerability and the stories that you shared. If you're listening, we hope that DJ's life serves as testimony to the rest of us that there is always good news to celebrate in hard places. And that all of our neighbors are worth our time and attention and invitation to the party. If you'd like to remain connected with us at Church of the Park, please visit our website at churchofthepark.org. There you can find opportunities to volunteer, subscribe to our newsletter and weekly liturgy reflections, and stay in the know about our current and future projects. And we have an online portal for financial giving. If you have questions for us or want to connect over coffee, we have lots of team members who would like to pay for your cup.
So email us at - Info. At churchofthepark.org. Again, that's... Info, I-N-F-O at churchatthepark.org. Thanks, y'all. Until next time.