We woke up at St. Theresa’s convent where five Passionist Sisters serving the Hispanic people of Lansing had welcomed us to stay the night. Our first destination for the day was Cass Community Social Services in Detroit.

The visit was all that we could have hoped for and more. 24 years ago Rev. Faith Fowler and the Cass Community Methodist Church began what has become an amazing array of services to people who are experiencing homelessness. Now, Cass Community Social Services provides services that allow persons to have access to food, recovery, physical and mental health, employment, recycling and even homes in the form of tiny houses! Rev. Fowler stressed that tiny houses are a tool, a tool to provide persons who are “renters then owners” with dignity, economic mobility, sustainable energy, and community.We were privileged to tour and speak with residents who beamed with pride in their homes and the support they give and receive to their neighbors. We left Detroit for Cleveland enlivened and filled with hope on seeing how a vision of home ownership and economic mobility can be a sustainable reality.

In Cleveland we visited Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry (LMM) where Drew Genszler and the staff of LMM opened our eyes and our hearts to how their services impact people who are homeless, youth at risk; older adults who are vulnerable, people impacted by the criminal justice system and individuals with behavioral health needs. LMM’s unwavering commitment to helping people as they journey towards self-sufficiency was so movingly witnessed by five women in their “Chopping for Change” program. These women shared their stories as well as serving food they had cooked with their newly acquired culinary skills. This innovative re-entry partnership between LMM, the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction and the Cuyahoga County Office of Reentry provide pre-release workforce training and behavioral health services for people who are in the criminal justice system. Since beginning in 2016, 40 women have been released from prison and gained employment through this program.And there has been 0% recidivism!

The women’s stories so powerfully demonstrated that life is about change and, when given the tools, they embraced a second chance. While nationally the recidivism rate is 49.5% in Ohio, because of the policies they’ve put in place, it is 27.5%! Hurrah for such creative private/public partnerships. LMM’s programs are indeed responsible programs that maximize the federal, state, and county revenues raised through taxation. May Chopping for Change not be on the chopping block to pay for the 2017 tax law. What an end to this the second leg for the Nuns on the Bus Tax Justice Truth Tour.

The journey of Nuns on the Bus is all about lifting the stories of real lives, concrete challenges, responsible programs and policies that support them.  What we heard at Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry (LMM) in Cleveland broke our hearts but lifted them up to the abundant possibilities for good.  This is Tricia’s story:

“I have lived a pretty normal life. Two active children and a house with the white picket fence.  My son is a soccer star.  My daughter is involved in cheerleading.  You could say I was the typical soccer mom.  I had a good job with benefits.  Then the fateful day came when the sheriff came to the door.  Our house was being foreclosed on.  I was frantic.  After I got myself together I went into the boxes in the basement that contained our financial papers only to discover that my husband had not been paying anything.  I couldn’t believe it.  What I discovered was that he had a gambling addiction and had emptied our banking account.  How could I not have known about this?  Then I made a very bad decision — I embezzled funds from the company I worked for.  This landed me in federal prison. But with the help of Lutheran Metro Ministry (LMM)I have possibilities for my future!”

Tricia’s story is only one of many that Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry has transformed through its incredible programming.  Through its innovative Chopping for Change Program, LMM collaborates with the Ohio prison system to prepare motivated female inmates to enter the workforce after they have served their time.  While only two years old, Chopping for Change has served 100 women and had a 90% graduation rate and a 95 % non-recidivism rate.

Chopping for Change not only gives participants an intensive training and certification in food services, but also provides job readiness skills such as resume writing and interviewing.  Perhaps its most essential component is the 3-month therapeutic phase which includes a creative element.  In addition to Chopping for Change (a workforce development initiative) LMM also operates a large shelter for men and helps coordinate available shelter space, an adult guardianship program, youth services, and a health and wellness program.

Not only does Chopping for Change impact the women in the training program, it also impacts others in the Cleveland community.  Through its culinary arts program, the women help feed over 2,000 a day for the homeless and in the summer an additional approximately 7,500 lunches for kids.

The success of this program has garnered the attention of an independent film production company who is working on a documentary that will feature some of the women we met.  It will air next year.

Not only were tears shed by those of us on the tour, but we were encouraged by the dedication and commitment of everyone involved.  It is programs such as these that propel Nuns on the Bus to get on the road as such programs depend on federal, state and local funding.  Most importantly, they are effective!

Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry is an example of the responsible programs that need responsible revenue to continue.  These very programs are most at risk of being defunded by the GOP tax bill.  Who We Elect Matters!

When we arrived to our Town Hall for Tax Justice in East Lansing, the gymnasium was full of very enthusiastic supporters of Nuns on the Bus. There were members of a number of congregations in the East Lansing area and a number of denominations.  There were some who traveled from as far away as Kalamazoo, and others from near-by communities. 

We presented our Nuns on the Bus explanation of the economic inequality in our society, showing how it will only be made worse by the new tax law passed in 2017.  The responses of the group brought forward some ideas that had not expressed in other sessions.  During the discussion time, a number of “problems” the policy causes in Michigan included: the increase of violence, fear, and poor education for our children.  Solutions included the necessity to vote and help get out the vote, and the need to diminish the military budget.

Our message of Tax Justice was very well received and the participants in East Lansing were enthusiastic and creative in their responses about how to work for the common good.

We arrived at the Old Courthouse in South Bend welcomed by a wonderful group of people whose umbrellas were being put to good use because of the rain pouring down. 

Sister Robbie Pentecost, OSF led the group in a welcoming prayer and message of gratitude for those who waited so long for the bus to arrive.

Jessica Brock, a former NETWORK staff member spoke about the focus of NETWORK and the importance of NETWORK’s mission in the reality in which we find ourselves.  Her message stressed the importance of working together for the sake of the common good and understanding that the Constitution says “We The People.” She believes that we need to operate out of that value, rather than as individuals looking after ourselves.

Cheryl Ashe, from Faith in St. Joseph’s County, shared her story of her struggles with asthma and the need for her to have affordable health insurance.  It is important to cover pre-existing conditions, but she said, there needs to be some regulation on the amount that insurance companies can charge for premiums.

Cassie Walker-Sleman a mother who advocates with Little Lobbyists shared the story of her 4-year-old son Bruce who was born prematurely. Bruce’s life depends on therapy and prescriptions that would be unaffordable for her family without access to affordable healthcare.

Sister Simone underscored the importance of voting and reminded all who had gathered  that we need to hold our representatives accountable since we are the constituents who put them in office.

Father Ed Reutz sent us off with a moving blessing and prayer for the continuing work of the Nuns on the Bus in making the Gospel message a reality in our world.