Taking It To The Streets

The homeless have long been the forgotten in many urban areas. But, in St. Louis, they have found a friend in a new ministry known as Churches On The Streets or COTS. Angela Valdes and her husband, Ralph, are co-founders. They have answering a calling and converted it into a crusade.

Valdes remembers that COTS started with the “overflow from the homeless outreach at the church we attended.”  Her family felt a special connection when they ministered to the homeless. She says they just “believed it was time to grow the ministry.”

One day while helping a group of homeless men along the new Mississippi River bridge in St. Louis Valdes and her volunteers caught the eye of a newspaper photographer who took their picture and featured their effort. It seemed like a perfect opportunity to spread the word. Instead, the story led to scrutiny from health inspectors who cited the group for distributing food on private property.

What seemed like the end of their mission turned into a blessing. The story went viral, and the unexpected generosity of a good Samaritan revived their hope. Valdes recalls that “within a matter of days, a businessman bought us a food truck.”

Monday nights with COTS became a destination as volunteers rushed to join the ministry. In 2013 COTS served between 100 and 150 homeless each Monday. Because of the great need, in 2014 Valdes and her husband added Thursdays to the schedule.

This year COTS is expanding throughout the Midwest. There is a Chicago affiliate. The goal is for the outreach to have a national presence.

Valdes says, “Sometimes it comes in waves. The interest is mind-boggling. We have people contact us from all over the country for help starting a homeless ministry or a food truck.”

COTS is a non-profit, finalizing its tax exempt status. Every item is donated. From food to clothing to insurance,  supporters have kept the ministry literally off the street.

With a smile in her voice, Valdes says, “God has provided. We don’t have a huge budget. We do a lot on a small budget.”

And, it all began with Valdes’ belief that scripture teaches Christians to “go outside the four walls of the church” to help people in need. “You’re on the front lines battling with people who have a lot of issues, but you keep pushing. You get to see lives change. It’s very rewarding.”

A year ago Valdes resigned from her job at a non-profit. “My husband and I said it was time to resign my full-time, paying job,” she shares. Now, she is full-time at COTS where she is paid in gratitude…the currency she believes matters most.