Friday, January 2, 2015
A New Year and a Fresh Start
It has been several months since I last posted, but the new year is an opportunity to make a fresh start. It is 1:00 A.M. and I am staffing the local warming station with another volunteer. It was 17 degrees at midnight when I drove by the big temperature sign at the bank on my way here. When the temperature gets below freezing, our community opens a storefront where homeless people can spend the night. There are five "guests" sleeping soundly on mats at the other end of the room. It's not a solution to the problem of homelessness, only a short-term measure on the worse days of winter
It's easy for me to volunteer here. During the late shift from 12:30 to 4:00 everyone is usually asleep and my anti-social tendencies aren't challenged. Last week I worked the 7:00 to 12:30 shift and had to interact with the guests until lights out at 10:00. I worried before I worked that night, but it was uneventful. I even knew one of the guests from my teaching days. We don't pry into their lives, but some share their stories. Our job is to treat them with respect while they are here and offer the few comforts we have available...snacks, hot coffee, and a sleeping mat with clean sheets and a blanket.
At the end of my shift I go home humbled and grateful for my many blessings. The warming shelter closes at 7:00 A.M. and our guests will be back on the street. It will still be below freezing.
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I wish you and yours a happy new year, Nana, and a big well done (can it be a hug?) for volunteering at the warming centre.
ReplyDeleteSo glad to see your post here, Nana. And I am very grateful to have a warm place to live, even if our rent just increased by a fair amount. We can still afford it. Maybe you'll do that challenge again this year and I'll get a chance to visit your posts daily! :-)
ReplyDeleteI work with the poor and disadvantaged also and, of course, the winter month are the most difficult. We can only band aid and help with immediate needs. As you know, it is heartbreaking, especially when there are children involved.
ReplyDeleteBless you for giving of your time and kindness.
Happy to see you post again.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a happy new year.
Must make you feel fortunate to have a warm place to go home to! Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteYou're right, it's not the answer, but at least it's a response, so good for you. May you have a warm and wonderful 2015. And, p.s., please keep blogging; b/c we like to see you!
ReplyDeleteIt breaks my heart, this story, and all stories about hunger and homelessness, and mental health...We need to find permanent solutions to social problems. There, by the grace of god go all of us!
ReplyDeleteOh Jann, this really is a heartwarming/heartbreaking post. I'm so thankful there are places like these, but it just breaks my heart to think of those on the street. Thank you for doing this kind of volunteer work. You are very special to do this. I don't know that I would have the ability to do this.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year. It is good to see you back!
This is a very good thing that you do. Many of us feel bad for the homeless, but most of us don't do anything about it. You do. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteYou cannot help everyone, but anyone you can help lightens their burden a bit. Happy new year.
ReplyDeleteOpportunity to help and you accepted it. You rock!
ReplyDeleteIt is not too dramatic to say that you participate in a life-saving effort. Perfect example of: Want to feel better? Help somebody else.
ReplyDeleteGood on you for doing that. You are awesome!
ReplyDeleteWe can always find trillions of dollars to participate in one military action after another, yet we still have people living on the street. That is a sad state of affairs...