FEAR! Fear is real and powerful in all humans; but especially so with homeless. Fear of the police, fear of standing out in a crowd, fear of perhaps other homeless.
FEAR of losing your few meager positions. Fear of being told you can't sit there, fear of being told you can't sleep there. Fear of the weather and how you fair through the night.
FEAR is real, it's powerful and it's something all Homeless people deal with 24 x 7. Notice how in all these pictures their faces are covered, or they look away...they don't want to stand out in a crowd. They want to blend in, they want and often need to be invisible. Why? For their own protection. In each of tabs across the top of the blog for items we knit/crochet and donate, there is information regarding size, color, and fibers needed to assure our donations meet the needs of those we serve.
It's been awhile since I've stressed this, but it's important to visit it again. We have new helping hands here on Bridge and Beyond. Perhaps we have new readers as well. Fibers do matter. In each tab I indicated it's important to stay away from non washable wool........why? Because a homeless person, even one lucky enough to get a night here and there in a shelter doesn't have means to do "special" laundry.
I indicate it's important to stay away from suede, and other novelty/fun fibers. Why? Because they don't hold up, they require special care. They may be fun for us to work with; but it's important donations work for those we serve over our personal desires. You can't beat good old knitted worsted acrylic yarn for durability. Yes...it's harder on our hands, then say a nice wool; but the fiber needs to meet the needs of the homeless. Fun colors...oh my look at the yummy colors in the fiber pictures. We all love to knit and crochet or loom with fun fibers both in texture and color.............BUT, fun fibers and fun colors do not meet the needs of the homeless as well as a nice dark blue, or green, or gray or brown. Dark purple certainly meets the need over a gorgeous soft pink.
PLEASE, as the tabs say avoid white, avoid pastels, avoid open Lacey stitches in your donations. If you can put your finger through the stitches in the hat/scarf (like the granny square type stitches), they aren't a good choice for keeping warm for homeless living out in the elements.
Muted colors, solid colors, minimal stripes work best for our homeless friends.
Fun colors, bright colors, cheery colors work fine for the afghans that we package for The Welcome Home Pouches given to families as they transition from shelter living to their permanent housing situation.
Please Think about the fibers you choice to make your donations with. Fibers do Matter, and the fiber colors you choice can reduce FEAR our homeless friends endure.
**The counts on our progress bars are current.
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.
