What would cause an NGO to embark on a journey to purchase a building in the midst of a global pandemic? Some may call it a crazy move, but we are a people of crazy faith in a God who is able to do exceeding and abundantly above all we can ask or think. Over the past ten years we have been flooded with constant requests for emergency and transitional housing from persons who were affected by fire, flood, eviction, deportation and domestic violence. We believe that as followers of Jesus, we cannot just say to those in need, "Keep warm and well fed" and do nothing to help their physical needs (James 2:16). Project Homebase was born out of a desire to provide a safe, temporary space to meet these needs.
 |
| Property purchased for Project Homebase |
God moved on the hearts of our generous donors so in early July, we were able to make a downpayment of $200,000 to secure this four-bedroom house on Bombay Street in St. James that we have named Beth-el. We have until the end of this month to pay the outstanding balance of $1.8 million to close the deal. Due to covid-19 restrictions, we cannot host large fundraisers. However, our team of dedicated volunteers have been working assiduously, coming up with creative fundraising ideas that fall within the safety procedures outlined by authorities. Every week there is at least one food sale, and there is a thrift shop that is open everyday. Our team members have been utilizing all their talents and resources to eat this $1.8M elephant, one bite at a time - from cooking sumptuous meals to baking delightful treats to mixing punches and juices to selling a wide variety of Homebase "merch". We thank God for the talents He has blessed us with, and for the support we have been receiving thus far.
 |
| Some supporters donate fresh fruits and vegetables that we can sell or use as ingredients in our sales |
Here is a testimonial from someone who has benefited from finding temporary housing at Sa Maison - our first property in St. James:
"My family and I had lost our place of security, our sense of comfort. We had lost our home some years ago. I am grateful that a good friend pointed me in the direction of Avonelle Hector Joseph and her ITNAC Trinidad team, where my family and I were provided with a temporary place to stay - otherwise referred to as transitional housing. Not even the government's "emergency housing" did any work on our behalf nor did family. Sometimes our families are not always in a position to help at the time of our calamity. Frankly, I just don't think such service as governmental emergency housing exist!
 |
| One of our youths advertising our avocado punch |
"In fact without a shadow of a doubt, I say this: When you support this cause, you are providing not only temporary shelter for many families out here who are currently displaced due to unforseen circumstances; you are also helping to pay utilities at these Transitional Homes, purchase food for families, purchase clothing for both parents and children, since some families may have lost everything. Lite moment lol, you know how much ITNAC Thrift Store brands, my kids and I have worn. Really great stuff too! I can assure you, whenever we went out, family outing, (and, YES even in that situation we could have had family outings), school, appointments, wherever it was, WE DID NOT LOOK LIKE OUR SITUATION, GLORY TO GOD! Thanks to the INTAC team who took great care of us, by the means and support of their faithful sponsors.
 |
| Project Homebase merch :) |
"I remember in this stage of my life I was also due to give birth to my beautiful son, and Avi, Aunty Jackie, Aunty Claudette, Liz (oh my Liz was a darling, my girls loved her and I felt very safe leaving my children with her). Anyways, these ladies when we first met were strangers to me and one can only imagine the mental space I was in....had my home today and tomorrow nothing and I could not afford for my children to be tainted or fall prey to the unlimited hazards one could be faced with if displaced or homeless. These ladies, very soon, proved themselves to be trustworthy, strong, loving, empowering women, they became our family. I remember my baby, when finally he was born he had the love of so many. The doctor appointments, I never had to go alone. He had so much more than just his mommy and daddy. I always had their support."
 |
| You can fill your belly while supporting a very worthwhile cause |
Here is another story of a life transformed as a result of the support provided through ITNAC, as told by one of her mentors:
"Seeking to escape a life of abuse and victimization, this twenty-two year old young lady was living in a galvanized shed with no water, no electricity, no toilet facilities, and not even a proper door. However, God miraculously opened the right door for her through ITNAC (Is There Not a Cause) and their Sa Maison residential home. She remembers, “I heard about ITNAC through my pastor, Pastor Dwayne Franklin. When there was no other place for me to go, my pastor contacted Aunty Gemma who got in contact with Aunty Avonelle.” The rest is history.
 |
| Display of shoes available at our Thrift Store |
"She has been with ITNAC for the past several months, including through the covid-19 lockdown crisis, when she worked tirelessly with the ITNAC team to deliver hampers filled with food and supplies for families all over the country. She expressed why staying at Sa Maison means so much to her. “Being at Sa Maison provides me with a much-needed place to stay, and ITNAC is doing things that I love to do. I love helping people. I love giving. I love seeing smiles on people’s faces when they get food to feed their families.”
 |
| Breadfruit pie courtesy one of our bess chefs! |
"ITNAC has also helped to put a smile on her face through a variety of support efforts that go beyond the meeting of her basic material needs—to medication provision, counselling and prayer support, and care for her child. “ITNAC helped me build myself up from where I was before to where I am now. Staying at Sa Maison has helped me greatly. It has shown me that I can do many things, once I put my mind to it. One of these things is the writing of her first book, “A Broken Heart Made Whole by Love: A Book of Poetry from the Heart. Assisted by Aunty Marion of LegacyMakers, an ITNAC partner organization, she launched her book this past August. God has begun to open doors of ministry for her to share her story."
 |
| Although it looks good enough to eat this is actually cheesecake soap! |
There are various ways that you can help:
1. Support one of our fundraising food sales, usually held every weekend. Follow our facebook page for details: https://www.facebook.com/itnactt
2. Purchase an item from one of our Thrift Stores located upstairs Flo Essence on the Western Main Road in St. James, or at 47 Bombay Street, St. James
3. Make a deposit into one of our bank accounts (please let us know the amount after your deposit):
Name: Is There Not A Cause
Republic Bank: 510009446802
First Citizens Bank: 1660410
4. Purchase Project Homebase merch online: https://www.customink.com/fundraising/itnac-project-homebase?utm_campaign=mobile-campaign-page-share&utm_content=itnac-project-homebase&utm_medium=messaging&utm_source=text&side=front&type=3&zoom=false
5. Make a financial contribution online: https://fundmetnt.com/campaign/itnac-home-base
6. Share details of our fundraisers on your social media platforms - you may not be in a position to support, but someone in your circle may!
 |
| Initiative of our youth arm - coming up this Sunday! |
I will close with this challenge from one of our faithful supporters:
"To my friends who are fortunate and well off: yes, I believe and I know you have worked really hard to be where you are, and I commend you. However, just think with me for a moment: natural disaster, retrenchment, deceased bread winner, domestic violence, dishonest landlord, property dispute; I mean the list goes on and on and on. Just think for a moment about the lifestyle you can afford now, but then something unfortunate happens, like what I have listed above, where today you have and tomorrow it's all gone. but you still have your children/family to provide for. Won't you want to have the option to stay afloat in a safe and family friendly environment with your family, while being counselled, provided with resources to guide you through and out of that situation, until you can become self-sufficient again? Who wouldn't want that? Trust me it can happen to anybody, it can happen to you."
