#10 - Shane Benson is Living on the Streets of Phoenix to Give Hope, Faith and Medical Attention to the Homeless in The Zone

Shane Benson is a former firefighter from the state of New York. He was one of the 1st responders that was just steps away from the twin towers when the 2nd tower collapsed. His life's work has centered around helping and saving people.

Shane travelled to Phoenix from Virginia 12 days ago on a mission with a plan. The plan was to sell everything he owns and live on the streets of Phoenix with the homeless population in the pursuit of changing lives and making a difference in our community. 

He's now using his skills as a first responder and minister to give the homeless in our most dangerous and overrun tent city in Arizona -The Zone- hope, faith and as you'll hear in this episode much needed medical attention. You won't believe the results he's achieved in just 12 short days.

Yes it's OK if you still believe in heroes. They do exist!

Follow Shane
TikTok: @godsgrace38
Facebook: @expositorypreacher38

In Crisis, Call Shane
757-300-6275

Chapters

• 0:39 Is there hope in homelessness?
• 2:48 Who is Shane Benson?
• 4:55 The mission that brought Shane to Phoenix
• 8:25 The Growing Homelessness Issue in Arizona
• 10:01 The Decision to Live on the Street
• 11:38 A Day in the Life
• 12:03 The Drug Epidemic and Fentanyl
• 13:05 How it all came together when he arrived
• 14:56 Earning Trust and Getting the Word Out
• 16:57 In 12 Short Days People are Lining Up
• 18:09 Exponential Growth
• 18:54 What is the Zone?
• 19:27 The Results so Far
• 21:12 Saving a Lady from Losing Her Arm and Helping Her Go to Rehab
• 24:24 The Main Reasons for Homelessness
• 25:00 How The Zone Started - The California Connection
• 26:24 Who are the 5-10% that don't have drug addictions or mental illness?
• 28:36 The Covid Effect
• 29:49 How do homeless earn enough money to buy drugs?
• 31:58 Is The Zone an open air drug market?
• 33:55 Why isn't drug dealing being cracked down on?
• 35:13 Is the city of Phoenix creating solutions?
• 37:01 Giving Hope through Faith and Ministry
• 38:40 What is the reaction?
• 39:37 Is Christianity new to them when you first start a conversation?
• 40:54 Was your vision more geared toward ministry or health care?
• 42:38 The Zone Ministry Following
• 43:23 Helping a lady through pregnancy to delivery
• 46:48 Solutions to Getting the Masses of the Streets
• 51:41 Finding and Working with the Motivated
• 52:40 Are City of Phoenix Financial Resources being used effectively?
• 54:25 Beware the Person that has simple solutions to complex challenges
• 56:07 Are we guilty of enabling and should homeless be held more accountable?
• 58:01 The Difference between the problems in The Zone and those that are homeless as a result of inflation
• 1:03:09 The Role of Employment, Welfare and Keeping Up with Inflation
• 1:07:10 How Greed Plays into the Conversation
• 1:11:32 What happens to these people once you leave?
• 1:13:39 Where are these rehab centers?
• 1:16:35 The Rehabilitated Drug Dealer and his Resistant to Rehab customers
• 1:18:49 The Self Financed Mission
• 1:19:33 How You Can Help
• 1:26:10 How to Reach Shane