During my time as a volunteer I loved hearing peoples stories and having so many of my preconceived ideas as to why people become homeless totally changed. In London there are often people sleeping rough on street corners and as I walk past there is usually a mixture of guilt, compassion and a few excuses swirling around in my head. 'They will just buy alcohol if I give them money/ could buy food/ there is nothing I can do to really help'. The nightshelter is just that, it's really helping. Its giving people a second chance and seeing people for who they are, not the predicament they are in.
The heart and success of the nightshelter is better described in this video:
Im also pretty proud of my lovely husband for making this vid
The nightshelter will be up and running again at the end of this year, hopefully for 4 months this time. I would absolutely encourage anyone local to get involved!
Wow, this is pretty neat. I've never volunteered in a shelter before but have always wanted to. I can just imagine some of the stories you would hear.
ReplyDeleteYeah, there are so many stories to hear! I would recommend volunteering sometime.
DeleteIt is so wonderful to know that people like Jonny and yourself (as well as all the other volunteers) exist in this world and are looking to make a difference. I too have similar emotions when I see homeless here in Belrin - and a big city like this is full of many who do not have roofs over their heads. The situation is truly difficult, because I also know that if I were to give out money to every homeless person I encountered, I myself would be out of money. I do try to give now and then, but the truth is that we do not know where that money is going to go. Although many people that end up on the street are not the drunkards or drug addicts many beleive them to be, there are a substantial amount of users as well as people with mental disorders who end up out in the cold. There are also people who end up there just by sheer shit luck. However, those who DO end up on the street due to addictions or mental difficulties should not be judged whatsoever. I just do not know if giving an indiviual 3 dollrs or 50 cents is the most productive way to help. That is why working at a shelter is such a wonderful idea. You can see exactly where the help is going and feel positive about creating a significant and effective difference!
ReplyDeleterae of lovefromberlin
Absolutely! There was a homeless guy on the street just near our house and for a week I cooked him dinner. One night my husband got chatting to him and he said that he only begs because it's good money, well better than just benefits. He gas a house and moved here from Romania just because the financial welfare from the state is better. We stopped cooking for him but still want to invest in him as a person. But you really do never know. I think it's good to still feel that pang of compassion and not harder your heart to it x
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