John Tumino

Clean Up is one aspect of the Mission of the Hire Ground initiative in partnership with the County of Onondaga and the City of Syracuse. During our work days intakes are accomplished to find out some of the reasoning’s to someones homelessness as well as why they might be panhandling. During our 5 hours together we build relationships were trust may be established. Once our friends trust us the intakes become a real way to asses to find out how we can further help our friends. Carolyn’s last day is today 8/14 but we have brought on two strong individuals that will be able to help us go to the next level as an organization as well as the continued excellent manner of doing street outreach. Paulette pictured here is doing two different intakes right at street level, many people ask us were is your office and the answer is were ever our friends are. Mobility and thinking outside the box are keys for IMFK and the success of our friends. Paulette will have one full week under here belt today and JD will be completing his 3rd week. Im moved with great anticipation for our new TEAM members and look forward to seeing them break barriers for our friends outdoors.

Today’s Lunch was a wonderful Cheeseburger Wrap sided with Chips. A lunch always opens a door for wonderful conversation. Pictured here is Howie working on our Hire Ground Crew, while out working with the Team he was excited about finding his street! Its the simple things that can bring us Joy. We met Howie  in 2018 living outside and addicted, he is doing fabulous sober and living in his own place. He was part of our Hire ground crew and Carolyn pictured here loved on him and encouraged him continually and now we are seeing the fruits of her love. Carolyn s last day will be Friday and here are some of her thoughts

As I sit here on the eve of my final week with Hire Ground, I have so many images, faces, and names running through my mind. April 2019 seems like a lifetime ago and yet seems like yesterday. I truly did not know what was in store for me. I was so green, so naive! But I knew the Lord had equipped me and placed me there.

In reflecting over the past seventeen months, there were many days I felt I was walking through the wreckage of a war zone…wounded bodies and devastated souls. So many of our friends bare the scares of trauma, abuse, neglect, and loss. Many of them shared with me about the lack of love from those who were entrusted to care for them, failed systems that were supposed to support them, and the absence of those who should have advocated and rescued them. The scares, pain, and trauma left them seeking relief in alcohol and drugs. There were also some unbelievably bad days. Those days when I would learn of the passing of one of our friends. Some passed due to violence. Many passed from drug overdose. But, along with the pain, there was so many wonderful days filled with laughter and happy memories. As we spent more time together, trust would inevitably develop. Friendships would develop and my friends would share their hopes and dreams. I got to see many of our friends get housed and start to rebuild their lives. And I hope to see many more rebuild their lives.

To my friends: I love you all dearly! This is not, “Goodbye” just “See you in a little bit.” I cherish you all and the memories we have made. Thank you for trusting me. Thank you for your friendship. You have made me a better person. I will continue to pray for each and everyone of you.

To my coworkers: What a privilege to have been a part of building such an incredible program. I love you all! Kat – thank you for your patience while training me. I have learned so much from you. For my dear sidekick, Kevin – my “boss” ? I cherish our friendship. Thank you for all the laughter, tears, and prayers! You are such an inspiration for our friends! Keep up the great work! JD and Paulette will be in good hands.

To John and Leigh-Ann: God has bound my heart to yours since day one. I cannot wait to see what He has in store for us in the future. I love you both! Thank you for being such good friends and bosses.

I love you guys. I’m not sure why the Lord has asked me to step down, but He has confirmed it over and over again. I sure am going to miss seeing you guys so regularly. I think this is going to be a challenging week for me. :'(

We Love Carolyn and she is pictured here training JD and Paulette. We are believing that as she pours into the new Team Members that the same Motivation of Love that she is investing in them will spill over to our friends outdoors.

Thank you everyone for your continued support, together Sous Chefs we are Building Hope and Changing Lives

JD started working at IMFK last week and has hit the ground running. Its been a deep introduction to street outreach and our Hire Ground program, its not just learning engagement with our friends but also the world of documentation and advocacy. JD has been doing intakes with our friends as well as sitting with someone for 3 hours to help make a police report with SPD on a assault. While waiting for SPD JD decided to pull out a deck of cards and play some rummy while waiting. The great thing about card playing is that it relaxes you and dialogue can begin. JD learned a lot about our friend while playing and was able to advocate with SPD and the agency that our friend was connected to. While working on Hire Ground one morning one of our participants asked JD if he remembered her? She recognized JD because she use to baby sit him when he was a child. What a small world at the end of the day I was able to see the both of them together talking and I could tell that JD was moved by the encounter. After the shift was over JD shared that he would have never thought that he would encounter one of his childhood babysitters  experiencing homelessness. One of the things that I have learned over the last 9 years if not for the Grace of God there go I. We must do whatever it takes to assist our friends outdoors and those living in our homeless shelters. Sous Chefs we at IMFK are making a difference thank you for your support.

John and Leigh Ann

Eating With a Purpose

Meatball Lasagna

Ingredients:
12 turkey meatballs
1/2 cup part skim ricotta cheese
1/2 cup 2% Mozzarella Cheese
2 cups/180 g (cooked weight) yellow squash or zucchini or spaghetti squash
1 cup Italian diced tomatoes (less than 5 g of carbs per 1/2 cup)
1/2 tsp garlic salt
1/2 tsp dried basil
4 tsp grated Parmesan cheese
1 Jar Taste and See Pasta Sauce
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Layer zucchini or squash slices along the bottom of a medium sized casserole dish. Spread ricotta cheese over the squash. Sprinkle garlic salt and basil over the ricotta cheese and squash slices. Combine diced tomatoes with meatball pieces in a small bowl. Pour over ricotta cheese. Sprinkle mozzarella over meatballs and then top with grated Parmesan cheese. Bake for 25 minutes or until cheese is melted. There will be some water or liquid from the squash or ricotta. This is normal. I just drain it from the casserole dish by tipping the dish slightly to the side while making sure the lasagna doesn’t pour it as well. Finish with a liberal amount of Taste and See Sauce and Enjoy!

Click on Taste and See tab to find a store near you !

On behalf of those living outside we say thank you,

John, Leigh Ann and Team

IMFK is excited to announce the launch of Taste & See products. These delicious products are now available, and all proceeds go to benefit the work of In My Father’s Kitchen. Our hope is as the community “eats with a purpose” the mission of In My Father’s Kitchen is shared around the dinner table. Together with your support we are building hope and changing lives.

The purpose of our Sauce, Syrup and Coffee is to bring awareness to our work and those we help. These Products will help to bring in the finances to help IMFK continue to help those who feel invisible. The vision to help our friends is BIG and the proceeds from this sauce will help IMFK expand.

On behalf of those living outside we say thank you,

John, Leigh Ann and Team