Belong Week: Javvy’s Perspective
Welcome back! It’s “belong” week, and if you don’t already know, this is a chance for us to pause and reflect on what it means to be part of a community.. especially in a broken world where too many people feel unseen.
Normally, you’re hearing about a specific neighbor’s story in these blogs, but this “belong” week, I (Javvy) felt called to share my perspective as a KCB employee. After over five years of service here, I want you to see how belonging comes alive in the small, everyday moments that connect us all as neighbors in Christ.
More specifically, I’m the Homeless Care Supervisor and lead for our “belong” pillar here, and I’ve spent nearly six years with KCB. I started as an Outreach Navigator in 2019, then moved to housing navigation, ICMS case management, and now I’m in a leadership role, which I’ve been in since last year. My desk at the Community Center is my home base when I’m in the office, and I spend days building relationships and rapport with neighbors who walk through our doors, many who I grew to know from my time doing outreach on these local streets. For me, “belonging” used to be more of a buzzword, something I’d hear and just kind of nod my head to whenever people spoke about it. But as I’ve grown both professionally and spiritually, God gave me the wisdom to understanding that it’s much more than just a word. It’s woven into the pages of scripture, it’s at the essence of the character and person of God, it’s the heartbeat of our mission statement, and it’s what I’m called to help foster.
I’ll never forget a moment from this past winter. California isn’t really a “cold” place, but that day, it was pretty chilly outside, and I was talking to neighbor about life and God and his story. While we were talking, I felt a nudge from the Spirit telling me to give the jacket I was wearing to him. I fought the thought for a second because it was my favorite jacket at the time, but I ended up surrendering and listening to His voice. I am in no way saying this in a self serving posture, but that neighbor was left speechless, and insisted on giving me something in return. I tried telling him my love for him didn’t need repayment, and that I was just listening to the voice of God. Despite that, he reached into his pocket, pulled out a single penny, and said it was all he had, and he wanted me to have it. To this day, because of the meaning behind the gift, that’s probably one of the most valuable gifts I’ve ever received. That penny’s taped to my desk wall now, and when I think about it, it’s a reminder of what belonging can look like.. a moment of grace where two people see each other as God does. That’s the kind of connection that affirms the calling of why I’m here every day at the Community Center.
“Belonging” now, to me, is the Jesus way. It’s unconditional, and never based on status or performance. From my time growing up in sports, to my time in the Army, and even my experience in other workplaces, the world often made me earn my place, but in Christ, I belong. I’m already enough. And so do our neighbors.
That’s what I carry into my work, though it’s not always easy in an arena where grants and funding challenges keep us on edge. But even through that, I see God’s love in action. Last year, our Community Center served over 1,500 neighbors with resources, job support, and spaces to connect. I’ve seen firsthand neighbors who felt like outsiders find a family, whether it’s through a simple conversation or a promising referral that changes their path. Beyond the Community Center, GSI’s job training extends belonging to every participant’s journey, and our housing programs extends belonging to every household we assist. Our monthly outreach does the same.
Take Kyle for example, (read his story here) he started off coming to weekly Bible Study feeling like an outsider, with more doubt and questions than anything else. Once he started feeling more comfortable, he began talking to us about how lonely and isolated he’s made himself, but now? He’s a completely different person. He accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior, found a church home, is getting baptized, just got a new job, and now comes to Bible Study with a purpose that he found through faith. He’s recently dubbed me his “spiritual advisor,” and I’m so honored to be a part of his journey in that way. That’s what belonging can look like.. knowing you’re valued and that God has a plan for you, no matter where you’ve been or the things you’ve done.
That’s what “belonging” means to me, and one of the reasons this blog even exists. Real people with real stories facing real struggles that have found real redemption. And just like everyone else, we face real challenges. Funding’s never certain past a fiscal year, and I’ve felt that weight since I started. Yet, God’s been faithful, and has carried us to 2025 and beyond. We’re praying for our Intensive Case Management Services (ICMS) to return next month for the new fiscal year, which is another way we can bring belonging to neighbors on the street by caring case managers who are rooted in Christ’s love. This coming fiscal year, we aim to grow our outreach, and connect more neighbors to Christ’s love through programs like ICMS, GSI, Rental Assistance, Church in the City, the Community Center, and more.
“Belong” week is a call to keep building this community. So I’m asking for your prayers. For our team, our neighbors, ICMS, outreach, and for our programs like Rental Assistance and GSI and the Love Thy Neighbor Fund, which meets unique needs. If you feel called, you can join us by donating or volunteering. Together, we can continue making KCB a place where everyone knows they belong, whether we get a penny in return or not.
John 13:34-35: “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”
I appreciate you tracking along with these stories.
Until next time…
