STLT Ambassadors Call To Action
Healing the Brokenhearted, Addressing Addiction, Mental Health, and Homelessness
Servants to the Least of These (STLT), our calling is to lift up the oppressed, to stand beside the vulnerable, and to heal the brokenhearted. In the streets of Cincinnati, we see the faces of those burdened by more than just homelessness; they carry the weight of addiction, the silent struggles of mental illness, and the crushing despair of isolation. These challenges are not new, but we must confront them with renewed urgency and with hearts filled with love.
Addiction and Mental Health: A Crisis of Care
Our brothers and sisters on the streets are trapped in a cycle of suffering that we must break. Many wrestle with the twin afflictions of addiction and mental illness—forces that isolate them further from the care and dignity they deserve. Substance abuse is not merely a bad decision; it is a cry for help, a symptom of deeper pain. Mental illness is not a stigma to be hidden; it is a condition demanding compassion and understanding.
Hope Through Healing
Like the Good Samaritan, we are called to stop and serve—not to pass by on the other side. Addiction and mental illness are not battles to fight alone, and neither should the homeless fight alone. At STLT, we believe that healing begins with a simple truth: everyone deserves a home, and everyone deserves care. Together, we can work to provide access to mental health services, addiction recovery programs, and most importantly, hope.
Racial Disparities Demand Justice
We cannot speak of homelessness without addressing the racial injustice at its core. African Americans make up over 60% of our homeless population, though they account for less than 25% of Cincinnati’s citizens. This is a grave injustice, a reflection of the systemic inequality that plagues our society. As Dr. King said, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." The time has come to dismantle these barriers, to stand for equity, and to ensure that all people have access to the services and support they need to live with dignity.
We Are the Change
STLT stands on the belief that love in action can change the world. It is not enough to speak of care; we must be the hands that build, the feet that walk beside, and the voice that advocates for change. Let us commit ourselves to uplifting those burdened by addiction, mental illness, and homelessness. Let us demand justice for the least of these and show them the path to healing.
Together, we can make a difference. Together, we can change lives.
Let us rise, not just with words but with action. Now is the time.
In Service and Love,
Servants to the Least of These
