Seven years ago, Roger Evans was living on the streets, struggling with addiction, and searching for a way out. Today, he is the peer outreach support specialist for Monroe, Wash., dedicating his life to helping those experiencing homelessness find stability, resources, and hope. He does these same things as outreach director at New Hope Fellowship, a Christian Reformed congregation in Monroe. It’s a story of transformation, faith, and the power of community.
Getting a start
Evans’s journey took a turn when he entered rehabilitation. Upon completing treatment, he found his way to New Hope Fellowship, and a church member extended a hand, offering him a small camper to live in and occasional work opportunities. With a place to call home and a renewed sense of purpose, Evans began rebuilding his life. He found steady employment as a school bus driver, but his true calling lay in serving Monroe’s unhoused community.
“I know 80 percent of the homeless in Monroe by name,” Evans said. “They’re people, and they need help. I’ve been there, and I know how much of a difference a simple act of kindness can make.”
With backing from New Hope Fellowship, Evans started visiting homeless camps, checking in on individuals, and providing essentials such as food, blankets, and warm clothing. The church supported his outreach efforts with a monthly stipend to help meet immediate needs. Over time, his efforts expanded. He played a key role in organizing a cold-weather shelter at the church’s fellowship hall, ensuring no one had to endure freezing temperatures alone.
Beyond the shelter, Evans became a regular volunteer with Feed My Sheep, a group providing weekly community breakfasts and laundry services. He not only helped prepare and serve meals but also sat with guests, fostering relationships and offering encouragement. His work contributed to a shift within the congregation, and several formerly homeless individuals found stability through connections built at these gatherings.
In a position to help
In January 2023, the City of Monroe officially recognized Evans’s dedication, hiring him as outreach support to continue his work on a broader scale. He now bridges the gap between the city and its unhoused residents, offering resources, crisis intervention, and long-term solutions for those in need.
One of the people Evans had been assisting was Brett Pierce, a Monroe resident who had been living in an RV with his three dogs. Evans had been in contact with Pierce for about a year, providing occasional support. On a cold Wednesday in January, tragedy struck. Pierce’s RV caught fire, destroying his home and taking the lives of his beloved pets. That same day, Evans reached out to New Hope Fellowship’s pastor, Jon Westra, seeking a way to help. At a church council meeting, one deacon made a providential phone call. Within 24 hours, a donated trailer was secured for Pierce, needing just a few repairs before it could serve as a new place to live. Soon the church community, including several individuals who had once been homeless themselves, came together to repair the trailer’s roof.
“The remarkable thing isn’t just that Brett got a new home,” Pastor Westra said. “It’s how God worked through the people in our community. This wasn’t a government program or a structured initiative—this was people following their hearts and stepping up to help.”
“It’s not about changing the world in one day,” Evans said. “It’s about showing up, being consistent, and reminding people that they’re not forgotten. That’s what saved me, and that’s what I hope to do for others.”
About the Author
Dan Veeneman works in the dairy industry as a ventilation specialist. He lives in Abbotsford, B.C., with his wife and three children. He is a member of Gateway Community Church.