Make an Investment

It occurs to me, we as a society need to make an investment in our Homeless Population.  I feel like that's what we do here on Bridge and Beyond.  We knit, we crochet, we loom and we donate hand made items of warmth...but isn't that us, making an investment in these people who are less fortunate than we are?  We're investing in their future.

I wish, we as a society were making more of an investment in getting people off the streets.  In providing them with a warm roof over their heads.  Investing in their future by helping with jobs, and providing mental health services which are so often needed with homeless populations.  I know homeless people have been around for ages and at times in our history the population has grown and at other times it has become less, which is awesome; but I believe we need a permanent fix...a permanent investment in the future for people in need.

**The counts on our progress bars are current, the percentages not quite. I'll not be figure the percentages with each update of numbers, but will be updating again next at least by the 20th. I have in fact made a reminder not on my cell phone for the 20th of each month to do percentages. If we're at a milestone, or I just have extra time I may do it more often...but certainly at that scheduled time.


** 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.

Homeless, Hungry, and Hats

We've chatted a lot about being homeless since the first of the year, and shared pictures of the face of homelessness.  Some, depending on where you are you see more than others.  Another picture, sad picture of a person sleeping on the cold cement.  This gentleman has a piece of cardboard and blanket, that's not much.  How does one sleep?  I find it often difficult to sleep through the night in a warm comfortable bed, can't imagine sleeping on the cold, hard cement with perhaps city noises all around you.  I've posted quite a few pictures of that in recent weeks.  Still, each picture sadness me.

Cold, and hungry and homeless.  We do what we can by knitting, crocheting, and looming hats.  There's a hat tab across the top of the blog with information regarding sizes, colors, and fibers.  Please take a look and consider making a hat or two to help Bridge and Beyond help the homeless.  A hat can make a person feel so much warmer.  A hat can keep the cold wind out of your ears and perhaps keep you from getting an ear ache.

If you've knitted or crocheted hats for us before, could I challenge you to make at least one more this calendar year?  Please and thanks.  We didn't make our goal last year and would like to push a bit to see what we can accomplish this year.  Please tell a friend that might help you make a hat or 2. 

Thank you for visiting, and reading this blog.  Hope to see you again.

**The counts on our progress bars are current, the percentages not quite. I'll not be figure the percentages with each update of numbers, but will be updating again next at least by the 20th. I have in fact made a reminder not on my cell phone for the 20th of each month to do percentages. If we're at a milestone, or I just have extra time I may do it more often...but certainly at that scheduled time.

** 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.

Grocery Cart Valuables?

Another sad picture of what Homelessness looks like.  Recently, I was packing for a trip.  I had to work at packing to keep the weight down, as I was flying and trying to take "just what I needed".  Easier said then done.  I thought I was being careful, not taking too much; after all I was going to have a washer and dryer in my condo, so I really didn't NEED a lot.  Even knowing that, I had a hard time packing a suitcase.  This man and so many like him, has all he owns in a shopping cart.  All his valuables, in one shopping cart.  WOW!

I repacked my suitcase a couple of times to get it right, what a comparison.  It gave me pause to think about what we who have so much is essential vs those that live on the edge, live in the elements, live day to day in hopes of a night in a shelter.  Truly quite a comparison.  I thought to myself, what would I put in a single grocery cart that would sustain me?  I found, I didn't have the answer and thankfully, I don't have to have the answer...but that didn't stop me thinking about it.

Could I challenge each of you who read this post, please tell one additional person about Bridge and Beyond and it's mission of caring for Homeless today.  Could you set a reminder on your phone for once a month, once every other week, or weekly?  As reminder to tell someone about the mission here on Bridge and Beyond.  Remember you don't need to knit or crochet or loom to help or to donate.  Don't limit yourself to think whom do I know that knits or crochets.  If you know someone who knits and or crochets, obviously that's a bonus.  But, let's do what we can to help spread the word.  The more people know, the bigger chance of helping hands, and the more helping hands we have...the more people we can help.

Thank you for taking time to read this blog, thank you for taking time to share this blog and it's mission, and thank you to all who donate.



**The counts on our progress bars are current, the percentages not quite. I'll not be figure the percentages with each update of numbers, but will be updating again next at least by the 20th. I have in fact made a reminder not on my cell phone for the 20th of each month to do percentages. If we're at a milestone, or I just have extra time I may do it more often...but certainly at that scheduled time.

** 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.

Foraging

Another sad picture of what Homelessness is...Foraging.  Foraging for food?  This sadly is a reality for far too many people.  Again, hard to imagine what that is like, how demoralizing it probably is.  How are we as a society going to help?  How can we as individual's help?  I can not wave a magic wand and make this problem go away, no matter how much I wish I could.

But, I do believe we can help.  In an earlier post there was a discussion both in the post and in the subsequent comments that followed about whether or not to give homeless (beggars) money.  Many comments were made that indicated a good number of people aren't comfortable with that, and or that they don't tend to carry cash.  Some felt opposed, not knowing how the money would spent and had conflicts/concerns about whether the money would be used to buy food, or cigarettes or alcohol.  I know that may not be the best use for the money, however, I understand why they spend it that way.  And perhaps having that choice gives them a wee bit of freedom...to do as others in society do?  I don't know the right answer and doubt the answer is or should be the same all the time; as circumstances and people are different. 

Some folks indicated in their comments when possible, they've purchased a meal for the person in need.  Naturally if you're right by a fast food or other food source that does work.  Perhaps carrying fast food coupons or gift cards would be a method to help people, not worry about carrying cash and or not worry about how that cash might be spent.  I wonder, has anyone had experiences they can share along those lines?  Are the homeless you see generally near a fast food establishment?  Have you seen someone foraging and offered an alternative for them?

**The counts on our progress bars are current, the percentages not quite. I'll not be figure the percentages with each update of numbers, but will be updating again next at least by the 20th. I have in fact made a reminder not on my cell phone for the 20th of each month to do percentages. If we're at a milestone, or I just have extra time I may do it more often...but certainly at that scheduled time.

 **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.

Eclectic Afghan for Homeless Families Foundation

This is a start, to what will be a rather eclectic Afghan.  I raided my stash and found  gold, orange, burgundy, gray and teal of the same type and weight of yarn.  Oh, and purple...or perhaps it's more lavender.  So, this knitted afghan is in the works.  I'll be working on it, as well as assembling 3 afghans from stripes and squares and rectangles.  I have project bags all lined up and will keep you informed how things progress.

Since we feel short of our afghan goal last year, I'm trying hard to double my efforts and get a really good start to our goal early in the year.  I'm also hopeful some of you will join me in this endeavor.  Check your stash, check the afghan tab across the top of the blog and see what you might put together.  We're after warmth.  Whether you knit or crochet, remember afghans don't need to be fancy with involved difficult stitches to keep someone warm.  This afghan will be all garter stitches, with the mix of colors providing some interest.

Most crocheted afghans take a bit less time to make than knitted afghans, thus my having 3 crocheted ghans to work on at the same time as this one knitted afghan.  Do you knit or crochet faster?  Perhaps it all comes down to which skill you learned first?

Please stay tuned, as this afghan and the 3 crocheted afghans grow and let me know what you're working on.

**The counts on our progress bars are current, the percentages not quite. I'll not be figure the percentages with each update of numbers, but will be updating again next at least by the 20th. I have in fact made a reminder not on my cell phone for the 20th of each month to do percentages. If we're at a milestone, or I just have extra time I may do it more often...but certainly at that scheduled time.

** 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.

Donations for Homeless

The picture above pulls at my heart strings, it's sad.  Sleeping on a cold sidewalk (just as the previous post) in the middle of busy community while others go about their normal business.  Unlike the previous post and picture, this gentleman doesn't have the luxury of a tent.  Also looks like he has very merger belongings.  Our donations, like a warm knitted or crocheted or loomed hat can make him or others like him more comfortable.  Keep him warmer, and in fact can be the difference in staying alive on a cold night.

Yes, the situation is sad, and rather bleak; but you all who donate do make an important difference in giving people hope, as well as keeping them warmer...and more safe.

Our donations of hats, scarves, mittens, slippers, personal care items, cotton washcloths, and afghans tell people we care about them.  Our donations are all direct donations.  By that I mean, we here at Bridge and Beyond are a grass roots charity, they is no paid staff.  Your donations all go to those in need.  Some of your donations go from you to me to Rae.  Rae is dear lady who prepares hot meals on Saturdays mornings to feed those living out in the elements (under the bridges and beyond).  Your donations go to men, women, and children in shelters; as well as those families who transition from shelter living to a permanent housing situation.

Your donations are gifts!  Think of the Birthday or Christmas Gifts you've given over the years.  You give of yourself be it in time to shop for something special, or time to craft something special.  When you make a donation to Bridge and Beyond or a homeless group in your community, you are doing the same thing.  Giving something special to someone special.  Our donations aren't gift wrapped with a big red bow, but I venture to say they are equally as precious, if not more so.

Each item we knit, crochet, or loom has it's own tab across the top of the blog with necessary information about size, colors, and fibers to ensure our donations do indeed meet the needs of those we serve.  If you have questions not addressed, or wonder why there's a specific requirement for color, size or fiber.........please feel free to contact me either by email or the contact form in the right side bar.

**The counts on our progress bars are current, the percentages not quite. I'll not be figure the percentages with each update of numbers, but will be updating again next at least by the 20th. I have in fact made a reminder not on my cell phone for the 20th of each month to do percentages. If we're at a milestone, or I just have extra time I may do it more often...but certainly at that scheduled time

.** 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.