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I can't help but think God is smiling knowing about the Gubbio Project in San Francisco at St. Boniface Church. Sleeping is scared. Homeless people have many problems, beyond the elements, the lack of food, the lack of respect, lack of good health, the also often lack sleep. They lack sleep because they don't have a bed in a shelter, they don't have a protected dry or clean place to sleep, and or they don't have a place to sleep without being harassed, often by police as well as others. When you lack sleep, you often act irrationally causing people to fear homeless, to not want to help them and more.
This church has been provided sanctuary, a safe place to sleep, eat, and just be at peace for the last 10 years. Homeless can sleep from 6 am til 3 pm. On Friday's meals are served. There are supplies of personal care items such as soap, toothpaste and more for those in need. Free hair cuts, vouchers for clothing also are available. There are pamphlets available to aid the homeless in finding shelters, and other social work assistance. A nurse podiatrists is available certain days to help with cleaning feet, massaging feet, checking feet for disease etc. There are 2 masses a day, and the homeless are not asked to leave during those masses. In fact, many join in prayer, others may sleep through. The church asks that the back 67 rows be used for sleeping, so parishioners can attend mass up front by the alter. This project was started by Major Gavin Newson who had a 120 year plan to end homelessness. 20,000 homeless have been houses or referred to shelters and 1.5 million dollars spent; but the problem remains. For each homeless person taken off the street, there's one to replace them. Still the church and it's members do what they can and it does help.
Do you have a program similar in your city? If so, I'd like to know about it, please leave me information in the comments section.
All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated. The Power of One is awesome, and when we work together The Power of One becomes The Power of Many.
I think someone once said, "You will always have the poor among you." Don't know if He intended it a prophecy or not but it seems to have turned out that way. What a wonderful thing that church is doing.
ReplyDeleteYes it is wonderful to see positive things happening, particularly after my last couple of rather sad posts about the hotel turning out people in the cold, and a Vet dying on the streets from exposure.
DeleteI went to the website and what an outpouring of love for people. It's truly an inspiration! It really makes you feel blessed with what you have. Thanks for sharing Sandy. Have an awesome day!
ReplyDeleteAgreed Bunny, it does make us more aware of how blessed we truly are.
Delete#5 try hard to get in this morning. But wanted to tell you about our Sharing and Caring Hands. Mary Jo Copeland, who has since 1985 been doing what she can to help the homelss, sometimes in places that put her own survival in danger.Started out I believe with a bowl of soup and the washing of feet. Please google her and see how she took the Power of One and built it into a place that without government help or the United Way, has built it into a place that feeds 4000 a week, gives free dental and medical help to homeless children, all help is donations and volunteer help, she does not receive a salary, and has managed to do it all with a grace that is surpassed my none. She started out trying to help those who could not get help from the welfare system.The street people think of her as a saint. She is trying to do what she perceives as the will of God to help your fellowman.A story well worth checking out, and a woman we could all take a page from. I got a little wordy again. Sorry. Just get so involved I write a book without intending too.GOD BLESS THE HOMELESS and all who are trying to help them. marj in minnesota/50 degrees
ReplyDeleteThank you for the effort to keep at it until you're able to post Marjorie, I truly appreciate it. Thank you or sharing the story, I'll do some more research on itj. It's important for us to spread this information and these stories, both good and bad so more people are aware of the problems.
DeleteI teared up a little reading this. It sounds like a wonderful project taking care of those that need it most.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the 2015 A to Z Challenge!
A to Z Co-Host S. L. Hennessy
http://pensuasion.blogspot.com
S.L., you sound like me, I tend to tear up reading or seeing positive things far more then sad things, sometimes sad things make me mad at the systems that allow such things to happen. Thanks for visiting, hope to you see here often.
DeleteWhat a great love site! Thank you for informing.
ReplyDeleteThank you Katy for the continued visits and support.
DeleteA great way to contribute - I love to knit and crochet and this would be a good use for it. Thanks for your comment on my blog Sandy! Enjoy the A to Z.
ReplyDeleteLove to have you and your hooks and needles join us. Thanks for the visit Shirley Dietz, hope to see you again soon.
DeleteWhat a fabulous program. Our country has such an overwhelming homeless population. One thing that really irritates me is that so many of the homeless suffer from mental illness and our country is sorely lacking in caring for the mentally ill. It's a tragedy that a country with an abundance of resources fails so miserably. God Bless the churches and programs that work tirelessly to help those in need...and what a wonderful program, knitting and crocheting for the homeless. Very impressive!
ReplyDeleteMichele at Angels Bark
Thank you Michele for your visit and for understanding his horrific problem. Hope to see you here often on Bridge and Beyond.
DeleteThis is what churches should do and I applaud them
ReplyDeleteBut very few do, be sure ad come back and read more.
DeleteI wish there were more programs like this. Other churches should take a note too :) Sounds like a wonderful initiative!
ReplyDelete@TarkabarkaHolgy from
Multicolored Diary - Epics from A to Z
MopDog - 26 Ways to Die in Medieval Hungary
I so agree with you, wishing there were more churches that offered this type of hands on help, but so few really do. Sadly, any churches are still driven by $$, much like corp. America.
DeleteThat is wonderful that Church is doing so much for the homeless. When I lived in Nashville, TN, there was a Church downtown that cooked a few nights a week for the homeless. They also had clothing to give out. Nashville also had a newspaper that was put out by the homeless. They wrote stories, poems, etc. They paid 25 cents for the paper and sold it for $1.00. The homeless would sell it on the street corners. It gave them money and some where able to get into housing. I don't know if it is still being done.
ReplyDeleteI dont either, but will do some research and see what I can learn Sue. There are many churches, but I don't think many that do this type of service and help.
DeleteWhat a great reason to blog! New follower here. I'm stopping by from the "A to Z" challenge, and I look forward to visiting again!
ReplyDeleteSylvia
www.writinginwonderland.blogspot.com
Thank you for the visit, sure hope to see you here again soon, and often. The cause is so real, and so sad; many pairs of helping hands are needed.
DeleteI like this. It is interesting that they sleep during the day, but I would imagine more able to keep track of everything and not have someone be there at night. Where we used to live in San Diego area, a group of churches got together with what they called the Interfaith Homeless Shelter. They would host up to 12 people (pre screened through an organization to hopefully then within the 6 month program to get off the street). From October to April, they were housed at different churches, in gyms, etc. at the churches whatever facilities they had. They were fed dinner provided by church members as well as breakfast (items like cereal, toast, eggs they made themselves) and things to take for lunch (sandwich fixings, etc.). They only could be at the facility from 5 p.m. to 6 a.m., otherwise it was like a permanent shelter not a temporary one and then there would be different roles imposed. Our church participated. We were lucky in that we got to use another church' facility that had dorm rooms and showers. Two hosts had to be there nightly (all night) to keep things running smoothly, could sleep there in the dorm rooms. The dorm rooms were private with locks on the door. Hubby and son would volunteer for a night every year and our community group would provide a meal one night for the guests.
ReplyDeletebetty
Thank you Betty for your visits and comments, I think our city had something similar to what you described; but some of the churches pulled out. It's a tough problem, with not enough churches, volunteers, and far too many homeless in need to work in many areas. Many churches don't have dorm place or showers etc. And some who want to help aren't in areas where those who are without and without transporation can physical get to.
DeleteThis is a wonderful program. I'm not sure what's available where I am, but I'm sure many programs are ongoing. It would be horrible to not have a safe and comfortable place to sleep.
ReplyDeleteArlee Bird
A to Z Challenge Co-host
Tossing It Out
Arlene I wouldn't be so optometic without knowing in fact that you city has program, or that churches in your area do, because Nationally, more don't then do. If they ...cities and churches did, the problem wouldn't be as severe as it is with th average homeless person being 7 years old, or Vets dying besides dumpters inn various cities across the nation. The number who don'tt have a a comfortable, dry, or safe place to sleep is HUGE!!
ReplyDelete