Homelessness is an obvious issue even in the affluent Malibu community. The statistics for Los Angeles County are astounding with as many as 48000 people living on the streets. Looking out every morning from our beautiful campus it is easy to see the spectacular things in front of us. But if you look a little closer you will see many of the people I now call friends thanks to SOS. My friends live in the Bluffs the Malibu Lagoon deserted motels or wherever else they can find shelter.
Daniel and Hollie Packman founded SOS (Standing on Stones) after taking in a homeless friend 10 years ago. The name of the organization comes from a poem penned by our homeless friend Peter and encompasses what SOS truly is about. SOS is a community in transition: We are college students and older couples young adults and newlyweds people buying their first homes and those living without them people struggling with addictions and others overcoming them people who love Jesus and those who are just meeting Him. SOS is a wonderful gathering of people who come together in our brokenness to share a meal time together and God’s presence for a few hours on Thursday nights.
Beginning my first semester of college I expected the normal freshman year marked by going to the beach hiking around Malibu and making new friends but nothing like SOS. The first time I attended I met Jerald and Mark who were curious about my background despite the fact that their stories were a lot more colorful than mine. Every Thursday night since then I’ve come to know and love many people whom I never would have noticed before coming to SOS. My new friends have opened my eyes to see beyond the exterior. Sitting down to hear their stories triumphs failures funny anecdotes and beautiful poems I have truly met some of the most interesting and genuine people: Ray who writes long letters praising my previously long hair and never forgets to pray with us before he leaves — even if it means missing his bus back to Santa Monica; Shawn who wants to please the Lord so fully that he is running far away from the addictions that bound him to his life before Christ; Ako a political refugee from Cameroon who helps with art therapy at a rehabilitation facility — and this is just a start.
SOS has inspired me and many others to step outside of the Pepperdine box and become acquainted with the greater community. Homelessness is a serious issue that is not going away. For some it is challenging to fulfill basic needs like meals and a warm place to sleep at night. The even greater need for a community is going unmet. Being homeless in an affluent area such as Malibu is no easy life. Seeing people drive cars that amount to more money than you will ever see in your lifetime is more than a little unfair. In addition the greater community of Malibu sees their homeless citizens as a nuisance. The divide is obvious. Few residents seek to involve themselves in this forgotten community or assist in its betterment. It is easy to see why many of my friends from SOS are frustrated with their wealthier neighbors.
Outside of Malibu there are plenty of shelters in Los Angeles that house people for a night or groups that give out food. Mere food and shelter are not enough. Many of these people are struggling with addictions battling mental illness and desperately searching for a job in a depressed economy. SOS seeks to help with these deeper issues. They provide food clothes and water; but beyond that SOS provides a group of people to support and love one another in the name of Jesus. SOS has gotten 48 people off the streets so far and helps to connect participants with rehabilitation if necessary. We are a family in the purest form. It’s not perfect or outwardly pretty but the elementary school cafeteria full of people on Thursday nights is one of the most genuine and caring communities I’ve ever experienced. I’ve been brought to tears by the kind words of my friends inspired by their stories and uplifted in my faith by the trust they place in their own.
SOS and the people there have been one of the biggest blessings and surprises about this year. I treasure the time I get to spend there and would greatly encourage anyone to come and meet the people of SOS. Maybe stop next time you go to Starbucks and recognize the humanity of the people sitting outside.