Couple Seek to Aid Homeless in Wildwood

NORTH CAPE MAY – Jon and Kelly Buthy, of this community, have always had a heart to help society’s outcasts, or those facing challenges such as addiction. According to Jon, this desire to help only intensified after they found faith in Christ. “Even before we became serious about our faith, we wanted to help those in need. As a young married couple we took in a couple of addicts that were trying to find their footing,” Buthy stated.
After a move to New Jersey, and continued growth in their faith, a desire to spread the Gospel to the homeless only grew. Seeking direction on where to start, they went to their former church’s leadership for assistance and were discouraged from proceeding. “I don’t think many people are up to the challenges that helping the homeless might present. It’s a long-term commitment,” Buthy added.
Undeterred, the Buthy’s continued to revisit their calling by finding periodic opportunities to help the needy. Even coining a name for their efforts, “Handing out HIS Hope,” a name coined by their oldest daughter Brigid.
In 2013, they made a move to Lighthouse Church, their current church, where they met, Mikee “White Shoes” Williamson, who encouraged them to pursue helping Cape May County’s homeless.
Buthy believes Williamson was instrumental in jump starting their ministry, “He just took us along with him as he reached out to the county’s addicts and homeless. We were able to really see the scope of the need.” Buthy added, “On one occasion, we went to the Recovery Center in Wildwood to visit. As we interacted and shared we realized that people are seeking hope in their otherwise dire situation. Kelly and I found hope in Christ, when we really needed it and we want others to know that hope as well.”
Most surprising to Buthy was the sheer number of homeless in Cape May County.
Buthy continued, “The average Cape May County resident may not realize the extent of the homeless problem in the county. Currently there are tent cities in the woods near Walmart, behind Payless, (both in Rio Grande) under the Boardwalk and on the actual streets of Wildwood. These people need help.”
Adding to the challenge has been changes to the New Jersey’s shelter voucher program. The program provides vouchers for temporary shelter when the temperature makes living in the elements especially dangerous.
Code Blue Alert threshold is 25 degrees, or 32 degrees with precipitation.
A moment of clarity came as the Buthy’s listened on during Lighthouse Church’s, annual “Visionary Dinner” in January.
“Pastor Rudy Sheptock was talking about how we, as people of faith, need to be willing to make bold moves for our faith,” Buthy added. That message led Jon and Kelly to make a bold move of their own; full time ministry.
Not wasting any time, that evening, the Buthys started to look for a permanent location to launch a ministry to Wildwood’s homeless and needy.
Buthy, a snack food delivery driver, believes their calling is to the City of Wildwood. “For the last five years I have driven down Pacific Avenue and have seen the need. It’s led to a deep burden for the community,” Buthy added.
The Buthys’ vision is for the ministry to attend to the physical, spiritual and emotional health of Wildwood’s needy. Buthy envisions a location where someone can get out of the elements, have a cup of coffee, take a shower and begin to see that there is hope for a better life beyond homelessness.
Currently, the Buthys’ home is on the market and they are making offers to acquire a location to house their ministry. They have launched a GoFund me campaign to raise funds to make a down payment on a piece of property to launch the ministry. Those interested in learning more can email the Buthys at: handingouthishope@gmail.com.