Nicole June Reporting
njune@clarksvillenow.com
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Kenny York, Founder and Director of Manna Café Ministries, will spend the next two weeks as a homeless man in an effort to bring increased awareness and compassion for the homeless.
Manna Café has made several attempts to open a homeless shelter in Clarksville, but they have faced several obstacles including permits, money, and concerned local residents. York hopes his project will change the public’s attitude.
A petition has been circulating various social media websites asking the public to support the Zoning Variance to allow another homeless shelter to open up in the city. Read the petition here.
During the project, known as the “Prove It Movement”, York will live outdoors at an unidentified location and travel the streets of Clarksville. He will set up at various locations with a sign reading “Do you care? Prove it.”
Read York’s open letter about the movement here.
“The homeless in our community are like a faceless population. We walk right by them and don’t see them or pretend they’re not there,” York said. “This is me standing in the gap. We need to make a change. For those who are saying maybe they care, this is me saying prove it.”
Find out more at the Manna Café website, www.mannacafeministries.com, or at ProveItClarksville.com, where York will be chronicling his experiences from July 14–28.