“Many people are just one crisis away from relying on credit cards or discovering their lifestyle is unsustainable,” offers Christina Kihn, director of the Center for Charity at All Saints Parish in Alpena.
“Often, it is not their fault,” explains Christina. “I like to ask married individuals: Where would you go if you were suddenly divorced and kicked out of your home? How long could you stay on someone’s couch? How easy is it to afford a new apartment?
“What if you or your spouse had a medical emergency requiring you to quit your job to provide care? Where would you start? Do you know who to call for help with your electric or gas bill? Can you live on Social Security alone?”
Christina outlines challenging yet realistic questions that many individuals have to sadly navigate.
Navigating the Uncertainty
In October 2019, the emotional toll of such questions became a reality for her as Christina found herself in a desperate situation. She recalls: “I lost my job of six years due to my company merging and a reorganization. I received a portion of my paycheck as a severance payment. I was unable to afford my $900 rent payment.
“I was unable to afford my car payment, food, electricity, heating, gas, car insurance and other basics. Something had to give. So, I ended up not paying for my car payment or my car insurance, and, rightfully so, it was repossessed,” she continues.
“I left my home because I knew I would not be able to afford rent any longer. I did not know what to do. I was homeless with two boys under the age of 5. We moved into a space that was above a garage with no bathroom, running water or heat.
“I saw an advertisement online to call 211 if you were homeless. If I had not seen that advertisement, I do not know if I would be where I am today.”
Since Christina had served in the military, she was able to get help from the Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency (NMCAA).
“I met a wonderful man named John Zangulas who was my case manager. He helped me find a small house while I looked for work. At one point, I was going to go back into the military because I needed a steady paycheck. I ended up going through that process, but ended up declining at the last moment due to having to sign over my children to my father,” shares Christina.
Praying for Divine Intervention
“I prayed every night and day for God to help me. I fasted for several weeks, pleading with God to intercede. God answered. I ended up employed by the NMCAA doing John's job as a homeless veterans case manager, as he went to work as the director for the Patriot Place.
“The next week, I accepted additional employment at the Air Force base, serving as an armed security guard. After a year, I began serving as a dispatcher, then a patrol officer and, eventually, a shift supervisor. In total, I was working 80 hours a week, petrified to become homeless ever again.
“I still feel that way sometimes, with a sharp pain in my chest and a fluttering of panic when I wake up in the morning worrying about my children and whether they have enough food or if they are warm enough,” reflects Christina.
“After three years of working 80 or more hours a week, I prayed to God to send me another job where I would be able to help the homeless community and still be there for my children. At that time, my work schedule only allowed me to see my children for a few hours every day, if that.”
In May 2023, Christina bought a home with a VA loan. “I was very fortunate that God pulled me out of my homelessness. I was so grateful to see my boys so excited to have their own rooms.
“I started looking at job postings, praying before I looked at them every day between my jobs. I saw that there was a posting for a warming shelter director at (All Saints), where my boys went to school. They always had a wonderful team, and Father Tyler was always kind and easy to speak with.
“I prayed that God would please allow me to work for his Church and his people, doing his will, and that I would be able to help those who are in need. Needless to say, he answered my plea again. I am so grateful to God for sending his Holy Spirit to guide me and his Son to free me from my sins,” she says.
Doing God’s Will
Christina’s experiences with homelessness have now become her professional purpose. In her current role, she advocates for and educates those who find themselves in a similar position as her own.
Her empathetic heart and caring personality give light and hope to those who are currently journeying through the darkness of homelessness.
As the director of the All Saints Center of Charity, Christina coordinates, trains and advises both volunteers and staff. She develops and implements all guidelines and procedures, manages the budget and expenses for the center’s programs and assists individuals in crisis by connecting them with external resources, handling paperwork and making necessary phone calls on their behalf.
Additionally, she oversees maintenance coordination with parish staff, handles all grant writing and related paperwork and ensures the center’s licensing is up-to-date. She also coordinates with city and state officials, manages zoning paperwork, delivers speeches to service groups, attends charity events and collaborates with community partners to enhance the center’s services.
“My biggest responsibility is to every person who seeks help at our center and addresses any other issues that may arise and to the people of our parish.”
Christina’s will and determination are complemented by her deeply rooted religious background.
“I grew up in a home where prayer and church participation were encouraged and a relationship with God was as natural for me as breathing. I was confirmed at 14 in Japan, attending church three nights a week, which I loved deeply,” she reflects.
“While in the military, I volunteered through our chaplain for the VIRTUS program, teaching Christian virtues to children in Korean schools and helping at orphanages. Sharing God’s love, as I was taught from a young age, was a joy. I also volunteered to teach kindergarten faith at the Catholic Church in Watertown, N.Y.
“My faith has always been a constant in my life, no matter the circumstances. My father taught us that without God and the Holy Spirit giving us his son, there would be no hope of washing away our sins. Because we love Jesus, we should always strive to do the right thing,” says Christina.
“Just as Jesus did, we should look beyond sin to see the person we can become through his sacrifice and love. As John 13:34 says, ‘A new commandment I give to you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also must love one another.’
“This is what I do every day: I look beyond the crisis to see the person Jesus wants them to be and help them become that person,” shares Christina.
Message from the Heart
“Do not worry about the future if things aren’t unfolding as planned. Strive to do your best, for God has a plan for your life that surpasses any you could imagine. If you have the means, consider volunteering in your parish. You never know who might need a kind face or a helping hand. Serving with love is always noble, for God is mightier than any earthly concern,” she ends.
Center of Charity Fosters Human Dignity
The Center of Charity is a nonprofit organization that is part of All Saints Parish and is dedicated to supporting the Alpena community. The center’s mission is to make a profound impact on the lives of those in need through a variety of charitable services and initiatives.
“We believe that everyone deserves access to essential resources such as food, shelter and healthcare, and we are dedicated to ensuring these needs are met,” explains Christina Kihn, the director of the center. “Our team is composed of passionate and committed individuals who strive to make a difference, believing that every effort counts and that, together, we can achieve remarkable outcomes.”
The Center of Charity provides a variety of resources for the community. It includes an emergency resource room that accommodates up to eight men (ages 18+) for up to 12 days. The center’s Friendship Room serves 80-100 hot meals six days a week. The Community Connections Room offers a welcoming, low-barrier space for individuals in crisis or seeking companionship, connecting them with community partners based on their needs. The center had over 700 interactions since it opened at the end of February.
“Monthly, My Michigan offers blood pressure screenings with a registered nurse, and District Health 4 assists individuals in accessing health resources. Weekly, a Homeless Street Outreach worker from NEMCSA supports those navigating homelessness, and a peer support specialist from Catholic Human Services aids individuals experiencing substance dependence. Additionally, we support two nonprofits within the center: The Baby Pantry and The Children’s Closet,” Kihn says.
If you would like to help the Center of Charity, the Besser Foundation has granted the center a matching grant of $75,000, so your contribution would double in value. “Any match funding would go towards the renovation of our center’s broken showers, along with handicapped bathrooms, washers and dryers and repairs to our heating system,” explains Christina.
If you would like to volunteer or donate clothing or food items, email Christina at ckihn@alpenacatholics.org.
If you do not live in the area, Christina encourages you to speak with your local parish and ask how you can help your community. Or, speak with your local police department and ask them what they think is the most pressing situation your community has. “Every city has needs,” she notes.
