014 - Interdependence and dignity - moving homelessness out from under the bridge

The Visibility Project Podcast

“Loser”, “dead beat”, “druggie”... How do you see homelessness? Our guests give us a lens to see the reality of an invisible population. People who are homeless are individually unique and deserve our empathy and dignity. Renea Pettinger and Marty from Open Door and Renee Deckrow representing Midland’s Midtown area share stories and information to give us a true picture of people who are homeless. Learn more about neighboring week | https://www.midlandfoundation.org/neighboringweek/To learn more about The Visibility Project, follow us!Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/thevisibilityprj/Contact us at [e-mail] podcast was produced by Push Productions | https://pushpromi.com/---BIOSRenee Pettinger serves as the executive director of Midland's Open Door, a crisis shelter and soup kitchen ministry serving the Midland County community. Renee has served as an advocate for children at risk and for the homeless for the past 20 years. She completed her undergraduate studies in urban ministry at Moody Bible Institute and her MBA in nonprofit management at Hope International University. Marty Cooper is a New Jersey native who moved to Beaverton shortly after September 11, 2001, to be closer to family. Marty has lived in the Beaverton/Gladwin community for nearly 20 years where he worked in industrial manufacturing. Wife to Aaron (Chemical Engineer at Dow) for 26 years and mom to 2 young adult (Ethan & Jordan) men and two teenage daughters (Lindsey & Lauren) Reneé Deckrow has lived in Midland since 1997 and permanently in 1999. Founder & Owner of Live Oak Coffeehouse, Real Estate Developer and photographer for Captured Photography, Reneé wears many diverse hats, but she most loves being called mom, wife, friend, sister and neighbor. She is passionate about creating space for others to pause, connect, create and grow. Her lens is one of her favorite tools to capture the Imago Dei in people and encourage them to keep living their beautiful and redemptive stories. “When you have more than you need, build a longer table and not a higher fence” has been a quote that inspires her to live life loving and sharing her gifts in community with others.