Picking out new shoes that fit just right is a rare luxury for people living on the edge of homelessness, but as of June 23, more than a dozen tiny-home residents of Camp Second Chance have enjoyed doing just that.

Forty-plus men and women live in the city-sanctioned camp about three miles east of our church. In 2018, we established a relationship with the camp to enrich the supportive bridge it provides between the streets and long-term housing.

In June, we began using donations to our Homelessness Task Force to outfit residents with comfortable, practical, and even stylish new shoes. Task-force members have been welcoming residents to Big 5 Sporting Goods in Westwood Village and assisting clerks in helping them find just the right shoes. The store extended our per-person dollar limit with a discount that, together with sale pricing, is enabling some savvy shoppers to walk out with two pairs.

Residents are getting their turn at shoe shopping as camp staff identify those most in need.