Hackensack resident Donna West celebrated an important milestone this month. The third of March marked the one-year anniversary of the birth of the Y.D.K.M.N. (You Don’t Know My Name) Ministry, a six-person organization that extends its giving arms to local homeless men and women.

On March 3, 2007, the Y.D.K.M.N. Ministry sought out the city’s homeless population and distributed ¨Bags of Love." Within the bags were toiletry items, such as toothpaste, a toothbrush, tissues, soap and a bag of food. The bags, fully funded by the generosity of the members, were delivered on the first Saturday of the month, and the group prides itself on personally delivering the items to recipients. In the members’ words, they hoped to offer personalization and a caring word of support to those in need.

West said that she had received a vision from God in her seminary school to begin this mission and modestly points out that "It’s just the right thing to do."

"I don’t feel like I’m doing something out of the ordinary because I think it’s something we should all be doing," West told Hackensack Chronicle.

Since the group first took to the streets, the Y.D.K.M.N. Ministry has become a fixture in many of the local shelters and church groups who support them. Already affiliated with West’s Mount Olive Baptist Church in Hackensack, the ministry has also partnered with the Rev. Jonathan Whitfield’s Trinity Baptist Church on Passaic Street and Melvin Lutz’s H.O.P.E. for Ex-Offenders, offering its services and support to both groups on the second Saturday of the month. By joining together, these groups have been able to help even more people in need.

What they’ve done

Within its first year, Y.D.K.M.N. hosted two large events for both the people it helps as well as those who have helped the group. The Concert in the Park event in June 2007 was filled with music, food and a celebration of hope for all of the less fortunate. In addition, the group held a Christmas party in December to again offer a celebration of hope.

More than 100 people attended the December event, which offered an escape to those dealing with the harsh reality of homelessness during the winter holidays. Both events took place at the Mount Olive Baptist Church on Central Avenue.

Perhaps one of the most memorable people West has come in contact with over the past year is Joan Tuohy. The Hackensack resident heard about the ministry and has since made it a point to collect donations for Y.D.K.M.N. each month.

"It’s amazing what she has done for us out of the goodness of her heart," West said of Tuohy.

"We receive huge donations from her, from blankets to suits to food. She takes a collection in her apartment building every month and sends them to us. We really need to thank her for everything she’s done for us."

No longer just women

The group originally began as a six-woman operation, but two have since left the group. Membership went back up to six, as two men joined the ministry. Today, West works alongside Elizabeth Gibson, Tatjane Thomas, Sonja Wilson, and new additions Craig Chaney and Derrick Singletary.

"It helps having these men with us. Oftentimes, they are able to speak better and relate to the men that we deal with better than a woman can," said West.

As word of the Y.D.K.M.N. Ministry has spread throughout town, so has the rapport that the group enjoys with the people it serves.

"It’s very comforting to know that now these people know us and have let us in. They trust us and recognize us and we are grateful to them for giving us their trust," said West.

Only 1 year old, the Y.D.K.M.N. Ministry shows no signs of slowing down. It will be hold an anniversary celebration shortly to celebrate those who have helped along the way, how much the members have accomplished, and celebrate future work. They will, of course, continue to provide the less fortunate with Bags of Love and any other donations that they receive.

"We’re always looking for more donations of any kind. We’ve been able to offer some furniture to people who have recently gotten off the streets and into apartments," said West.

"Anything helps, and it’s nice to know that your donations will be personally given to someone in need."

To donate to Y.D.K.M.N., call 551-587-1229 or e-mail YDKMN07@aol.com.