Topic: Prove It

Prove It Clarksville: Day 14: Passing the Baton

By Kenny York | July 29, 2014 |

An exercise in homelessness.

Clarksville, TN – Sunday was my last “official” day of standing. There’s so much I’ve learned from this experience that I’ll probably be writing these blogs for awhile, if that’s okay with you. After all, the journey isn’t over—it’s really just beginning.

So now I pass the baton to those of you who do care and are ready to prove it. This was never about me making a personal statement but about awakening our community and showing you that, together, we can make a difference and address poverty the right way.

Kenny York standing at the Hwy48/13 and Riverside Drive intersection.

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Prove It Clarksville: Day 13: Peace Out, Brother

By Kenny York | July 28, 2014 |

An exercise in homelessness.

Clarksville, TN – I have to be honest with you … I’ve had a very hard time writing a blog today. You see, while I was standing on my street corner, someone stopped to tell me that a friend of mine had been killed in a car wreck. His name was Ken Murray.

I’ve only known him for a little less than a year, but we became friends quickly. If you’ve been reading my blogs, you’ve probably seen his comments. He was one of Prove It’s most vocal supporters.

Ken Murray

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Prove It Clarksville: Make a Stand with Kenny York Monday, July 28th

July 27, 2014 |

Clarksville, TN – Make a stand with Kenny!! Be part of the Prove It Movement on Monday. Meet us in the rear parking lot of the Refuge (635 Frosty Morn Drive) at 9:00am.

We’ll head out from there to various intersections, make a stand, and spread the word to the community about what it means to Prove It. We’re not able to get T-shirts in time, so be creative—pick up some neon yellow poster board and write “Do You Care?” and “Prove It!” in big block letters.

Please Share, and bring your friends with you on Monday—let’s make a city-wide impact for the sake of Clarksville’s homeless!

Come out and stand on the corner with Kenny York Monday.

Prove It Clarksville: Day 12: Something to Think About

By Kenny York | July 27, 2014 |

An exercise in homelessness.

Clarksville, TN – I got a lot of honks and waves at my spot at Madison and the bypass today, but some of the expressions I saw on the faces of passersby were comical. You’d have thought I was green and had two heads and horns, which made me laugh and wave even more.

I’ve gotten some really good “advice” while standing on street corners. My favorite is “Get a job”—evidently, there are a lot of people who believe they know how to fix all homelessness.

They don’t realize how hard it is to get a job when you have no transportation, no address, no place to take a shower on a regular basis, and no place to leave your backpack if you do get an interview.

My new buds Kaiden and Alex. (Amanda Smith Pace)

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Prove It Clarksville: Day 11: Can You Believe It?

By Kenny York | July 26, 2014 |

An exercise in homelessness.

Clarksville, TN – Extra extra, read all about it!

Everybody’s talking about it: there was a couple standing in front of the mall with signs today; people were stopping to give them water, food, and even money—can you believe it? One lady even stopped to take their picture.

And then about 4:00pm this afternoon, they gathered all their stuff, put it into a black car, and drove away. But wait—that’s not all—someone also saw them at a nearby grocery store buying sushi, can you believe it?

Kroger sushi isn’t too bad in a pinch.

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Prove It Clarksville: Day Ten: Crayons and Copper

By Kenny York | July 25, 2014 |

An exercise in homelessness.

Clarksville, TN – The biggest event of this day was that I got to take a shower. It was the first one since last Wednesday night, and trust me that it was a worship experience in itself—not to mention using a real toilet and not feeling rushed. Oh, the things we take for granted.

You know, there are a lot of talented people riding the bus, living in shelters, or even sleeping in tents and under bridges. Yesterday morning at the bus stop, I noticed a young man with a sketchpad and pencils.

Cabin’s crayon-and-wood-scrap art.

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Prove It Clarksville: Day Nine: Look Out, Cow

By Kenny York | July 24, 2014 |

An exercise in homelessness.

Clarksville, TN – Today was the hottest day yet.

I got to my spot (in front of the Walmart on Fort Campbell Boulevard) a few minutes after 10:00, and the temperature was already “up there.”

People had a lot of questions about what I was doing, but as I handed them my flyer that explains how to “Prove It,” I got a lot of good responses (although I also noticed that lots of folks in that part of town were super-generous even when they didn’t have a clue what I was doing).

Several people dropped off money, and a couple of young boys even donated some of their piggy bank money. And thank goodness, everyone kept bring me plenty of liquids!

The Tuesday Cafe team says, “Prove it!” (By the way, stay tuned for details about how you can stand on the corner with me next Monday.)

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Prove It Clarksville: Day Eight: Oatmeal and Offerings

By Kenny York | July 23, 2014 |

An exercise in homelessness.

Clarksville, TN – Well, it’s day eight, but who’s counting?

I wanted to get to my spot by 10:00am this morning, so I got up and headed out early to catch the bus, not even taking the time to eat my oatmeal. The oatmeal, by the way, has been a lifesaver.

This past winter when we were doing the warming shelters, Mat Lasater (of Lasaters) donated these cool little cups of oatmeal, and all you have to do is add warm water, so I brought some with me to see how they do out in the woods … and from this point on, they’ll be standard issue in Manna Café’s homeless bags.

Jhesika Jade Riggins and her boys dropped off some money and a sweet tea for me.

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Prove It Clarksville: Day Seven: Chillin’ Out

By Kenny York | July 22, 2014 |

An exercise in homelessness.

Clarksville, TN – It’s Sunday, so I’m taking a much-needed day to rest and regroup. This week has kind of beaten me up physically. God rested on seventh day, and so am I.

Check out what Isaiah says about the connection between serving the poor and resting on the Sabbath:

“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?

Kenny York at his camp site. (Frank White)

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Prove It Clarksville: Day Six: Workin’ Man Blues

By Kenny York | July 21, 2014 |

An exercise in homelessness.

Clarksville, TN – Hi, I missed you!

I’m sorry these two days are late, but I worked a couple of side jobs the last two nights—and on top of sneaking in and out of camp, riding the bus, and standing on my street corners as long as possible, it made for a couple of very long days. In fact, Friday night I got only five hours of sleep, if you can call it that. I’m still not used to this hard ground.

As I’m writing this, I can sense some of you rolling your eyes all the way back into your head (they’re making sounds almost like a slot machine). You’re thinking, “I knew it! I knew he’d sell out!—He’s working, and the homeless are lazy—they don’t work!”

Prove It Clarksville: Kenny York makes a friend.

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