Mission And Vision For Friends of the Carpenter  

The year 2008 was a year of clarifying the mission and determining the vision for the ministry.  John McDonagh, (Publisher of the Vancouver Business Journal and former President of the Board of Directors of Share) was a consultant and long range strategy workshop leader for the Friends of the Carpenter Board of Directors.  The primary questions were: 1) What is the mission of Friends of the Carpenter; what does the ministry do, how do we do it; how do we know we’ve done it?  2) What will Friends of the Carpenter look like in ten years; that is in 2018?

Mission Statement of Friends of the Carpenter:  

Inviting the Homeless to:

    C - ommunity

          H - ope

                 R - enewal

                        I - nspiration

                             S - elf-esteem

                                   T - ruth

                                                     Through Friendships.

What is the mission?

The discussion of the Board of Directors determined that our mission is directed to many more than just those who are homeless.  The ministry welcomes all into its activities and program.  During the woodwork and other activities, it is in the mixing of people from many different walks of life that genuine friendships are formed.  These positive and productive relationships bring healing, hope, inspiration and actual help not only to those who are homeless, but indeed to every person.  The motivation of the ministry is to help those in need, however as the Prayer of St. Francis so aptly states it, “It is in giving that we receive.”  Thus, the mission is more about including and mending the “whole Body” and not just serving any one particular part.  As The Apostle Paul said, “When one part suffers, all suffer, and when one part is praised, all the other parts share its joy.” (I Cor. 12:26)

What will Friends of the Carpenter look like in 2018?

The Friendship Center is a unique ministry with a special facility in which to house its mission.  All who come into the Center, whether for the first time or several times feel the hospitality and are impressed by the facility.  Sensing the Spirit of God, seeing projects in process and people busy building things gives a constructive image.  Watching discarded and salvage wood being transformed with sandpaper and handiwork is a visible metaphor of what God’s love is doing with the people who come scarred with life’s wounds and feeling like the salvage or discarded of society.  But at the Friendship Center, the tender love of God touches them.  It might be in a prayer, through the reading of scripture, the singing of a praise song, the conversation during an activity.  Healing happens by the handiwork of God.  Year  2018 envisions our facility and program as continuing to welcome the wounded, but with even better amenities and organization than now and even more of people involved.

Strategic Goals that have been determined are as follows:

  - Ongoing Board of Director Development

  - A Comprehensive Fund Development Strategy including:

      Adequate Annual Operations Funding,

      Long Range Capital and Program      Development Plan, Endowment Fund

- Leadership Succession Plan – Executive Director                                                    & Board Members

Guiding Principles for Friends of the Carpenter

• Empower the Participants:  Those who are homeless often feel powerless.  Because of a broken spirit and burdens bigger than can be handled alone, often one who is homeless gives in or gives up.  A renewed spirit refreshes the body, restores hope and empowers the person to press on.
• Engage the Volunteers:  People of faith generally pursue ways to exercise their discipleship.  However, more often than not, sincere servants mostly meet and work with each other to help the poor, rather than personally connecting with those who are oppressed or receiving the assistance.  Jesus told His followers, “As you do it to one of the least of these, you do it to me.”  The FOC program provides a safe and supervised setting for personal interaction and genuine friendships to be formed.
• Equip the Churches:  The church is The Body of Christ; every person is a part and belongs.  Sadly, those who are homeless seldom feel that they “fit in” or would be welcomed.  Sometimes it’s a self-perceived perspective; but other times it is projected upon them by parishioners who feel awkward, uncomfortable and reluctant towards a stranger in their midst, even a stranger in the house of God.  It is right to be careful (even cautious) but totally wrong to be unwelcoming.  The FOC program produces a process and friendships for accountability.  Churches can bring or refer those who come to their doors for help to become involved with Friends of the Carpenter.  As friendships are formed and trust is established “both ways,” the awkwardness dissolves and a genuine welcome is felt by all.  Barriers break down and a bridge is built into the church family.
• Maintain the Facility & Program:  FOC is blessed to have the Friendship Center.  This ordinary office/warehouse complex, though humble and unseemly, contains “The Holy” just as any cathedral or temple.  There are no pews, pipe organ or rehearsed choir, yet people gather in the Center with praises to God and the Spirit’s presence filling all the space and people within.  Safety is critical, both of people and the premises.  Maintenance and operation are a constant concern and urgent priority.   Capital development to better serve the people and the needs of the program is an ongoing goal.