N.O.A.H.  Networking, Organizing, and Advocating for the Homeless

Noah at Central* is dedicated to compassionately ending homelessness in Detroit.

By Zeke FleetCentral United Methodist Church of Detroit engages the community, civic partners, synagogues, and churches to encourage volunteer and financial support for this initiative for life transitions. CUMC-Traverse City is among the 46 Methodist churches that help fund this important mission.

According to Jessica Brasignton, development director at Noah at Central, this mission began more than 40 years ago as a bag lunch program for its unhoused neighbors at CUMC-Detroit. This help initiative and its wide range of services has expanded into a city-wide support organization that successfully helps people transition from lives on the streets to lives of restored hope.

Much of Noah at Central’s success is attributable to building and sustaining strong relationships between staff/volunteers and homeless clients. These relationships are grounded in dignity and respect. Homeless neighbors are encouraged to become part of NOAH through Central’s community programs and services, helping move clients forward on their unique journeys.  

Some of Noah at Central’s programs include:

• Street Outreach – Noah at Central personally engages clients and builds relationships based in trust. The Street Outreach program helps identify individual needs and pairs clients with programs that lead to stability and support.
• Wellness counseling – Noah at Central provides holistic physical health care through one-on-one counseling and professional support.
• Bag Lunch Program – This long-standing meal program of Noah at Central is held in a secure and comfortable setting and is available at no cost and open for all people. Lunches are provided by area partner churches, synagogues, businesses organizations, and civic groups.
• NOAH Community Center – In addition to the bag lunch program, clients can receive hygiene supplies, meet with a caseworker, make phone calls, or simply relax.
• Social Services – Through case management practices, Noah at Central provides support and guidance that helps bring clients to self-sufficiency. There are no restrictions or qualifications.  Social Services provides clients with ways to navigate connections with partner agencies and develop unique paths to stability, provide referrals for food, clothing, and shelter, housing, transportation, and assistance related to substance abuse.
• Covenant Community Care – Health care is provided for thousands of uninsured people in Michigan, including Central at Noah participants. Transportation for medical appointments and a no-cost mobile dental unit are available.
• The Wave Project – This service offers no-cost mobile showers, clothing, and hygiene kits.
• Wayne Mobile Health – In partnership with Wayne State University, these mobile units (vans) offer clients no-cost health screening.

The staff and volunteers, and directors of Noah at Central are continually looking for unique, out-of-the-box ways to support the varied needs of clients.  Financial assistance is always needed, especially for down payment assistance, job transportation, and prescription medication access. 

For several years, Noah at Central has been a mission supported by CUMC-Traverse City. We encourage you to generously support our brothers and sisters at Noah at Central in Detroit.

Please consider financial support of N.O.A.H.  Networking, Organizing, and Advocating for the Homeless and be an advocate for their work alongside vulnerable folks through CUMC missions. You can make a donation through Central Missions here.  

Note: select “Missions” as your designation when you make a gift.