One night over coffee, Beaker shared his story of being dumped off downtown when he was fourteen and mockingly wished “good luck.” Realizing he had been sitting with his back to the street, he said “Prodigal’s strange, like I’m safe here and I belong”. We clanked our coffee mugs and toasted Beaker’s future.

About a month later, he left his abandoned building and reunited with his family. Often he would come back, say hi and slip us a little money.

Certainly, every kid doesn’t leave the streets so swiftly or successfully. Beaker reminds us that giving kids a place to belong can set in motion events that will change their lives.

Before long at Prodigal, it became clear that many of the kids were moving east along Colfax, fittingly called ‘crack’ alley, inevitably teaching us about the fastest growing aspect of homelessness, homeless families.

To serve a greater need and after hearing about Denay, an eighteen-year-old girl who was murdered and tossed in a dumpster, we were heartbroken and expanded our ministry to children and teens living in and around the many small, run-down motels on east Colfax.

Our Coffee House provides a haven for teens like Denay. Our Club House gives children a few hours of innocence, where burdens are left at the door. Every week, Prodigal gives kids what Beaker found – a place to rest and a place to be known.

As a result of building relationships, we connect kids to organizations for their holistic needs. But first, we must offer hope that they are loved.

They have found their safe place…