REALITY CHECK: Snow and very cold this morning - is this a preview of things to come? I stepped on some toes last night when I posted that homeless people were calling me looking for warm clothes and blankets because other numbers they had were not answering phones. 1) My comments were not directed to people who are out doing the work. 2) The homeless need all of the help that they can get. If you are one of the awesome volunteers in one of the wonderful groups that is out there in the cold trying to help; you are doing something that is so very significant in so many peoples lives and I am very, very thankful that we have so many people out doing this work now. My reminder is about the homeless who are being missed because they have no way to get to the locations where volunteers are giving away items, or are missed in homeless sweeps by the fantastic people who are out driving around trying to find homeless people and give them blankets, etc. Regardless of how wonderful the group is, the great work, and the extent of what is being done, we will always have homeless who are missed, and who should not be left out just because they cannot reach anyone to ask for help. Those homeless need someone that they can call who will help them get what they need to survive. And people or agencies giving them a list of phone numbers to call does not mean there is anyone at the other end of that number to help. This is about helping the rest of the people. There will always be homeless who fall through the net of those trying to help them. Example: One call that I received was a man new in Little Rock and who was out in the UALR area. He had been given a list of numbers when he asked an agency for help, but no one was at the other end of the numbers, and he had no way to get to locations. Obviously before anyone can go to him to help, he has to be able to reach someone on the phone. I also got a call from a volunteer looking for help for a woman and 2 young children, (5 and 8) who are staying in their car. Mother is a mess and has already burned her bridges through her bad behavior with all of the programs that normally would try to help. DHS is very reluctant to intervene in these cases, so does that mean the children should sit in a car in freezing weather without blankets and warmth? I dont think so. Someone has to answer a phone to help them get whatever help can be found, and that is all that I am saying. If that hurts anyones feelings, I am sorry. The reality that this help is also needed in no way takes away from the wonderful work being done by some very loving and compassionate people. However: if the need is not recognized it will never be addressed. Someone has to say it, so I will. And on a very positive note, in checking on the woman and children this morning, I just found out that DHS picked up the two children - God is right on time!
Posted on: Thu, 13 Nov 2014 14:15:25 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015