Season 2, Episode 3: Broken isn’t a Bad Word

“You know when you see a guy drowning there is a lot of things you can throw his direction. Maybe I’ll throw a sandwich his direction. Maybe a toothbrush, a razor, a blanket. But when a guy is drowning what he really needs is to be rescued. … The problem [of homelessness] is much bigger. Many of the solutions we provide are just band-aids. … Without a foundation of faith, a dysfunctional life cannot even begin the process of healing.”

– Pastor Wayne Walker on why he believes the Gospel is the answer to solving homelessness 

The Street View Podcast team reunites with Pastor Wayne Walker, Executive Director of Our Calling. Pastor Wayne was featured on one of our most popular episodes from last season, “When Sin Takes Over,” which stirred up some controversial ideas about sin and homelessness. He joins us again to talk more about the general dysfunction that all humans deal with, the issue of providing short-term solutions to individuals experiencing homelessness and his philosophy on healing the whole person.

Season 2, Episode 3:

Episode 6: Building Community

“The answer to the ills of homelessness is found in the homeless. We have to tap into that wisdom.” 

– Jon Edmonds, on the solution to homelessness

 

In Episode 6 of Street View, you meet Jon Edmonds, Executive Director of Austin Street Center, a faith-based emergency shelter in Dallas. Jon discusses how community building and community development is key to solving many issues related to homelessness and the need to uncover the vast array of hidden talents and skills among the homeless. Joining the discussion are two men, Mitch Young and Tyrone Kenny who are both homeless men or “outdoor individuals” as Mitch calls them. Mitch and Tyrone share their different journeys to Austin Street and the various activities that help them through this transition in their lives, both at the shelter and at the J. Erik Jonsson Central Library.

Episode 6

Episode 3: When Sin Takes Over

“[Homelessness] is the dysfunction that happens in life when sin takes over. … I don’t think being homeless is the biggest problem, because if it was easy to put your finger on the problem, you could put your finger on the solution.” 

– Pastor Wayne Walker, on the solution to homelessness

In Episode 3 of Street View, you meet Pastor Wayne Walker, Executive Director of Our Calling, a faith-based non-profit dedicated to serving the homeless. Wayne provides insight into the realities of homelessness and the faith-based perspective that dysfunction has taken over the soul and only a relationship with God can help – a belief shared by many faith-based homeless service providers in Dallas. Discussion continues with Jason Parks, a homeless individual who has been homeless for eight years and frequently uses the J. Erik Jonsson Central Library.

Episode 3