As someone who has a deep heart for the unhoused and hungry among us, as well as having worked with and among those in my own city, I do know this problem is complex, but not unsolvable.
Part of the complexity is that some of the unhoused need more help that the typical neighbor can provide. For those who have been unhoused for quite a while, there could be problems with drug abuse and/or mental health issues. Unless you and I are professionally trained to handle these types of issues, we could be creating more problems for both them and ourselves.
Many times unhoused people want to live close to a city to be near public transportation. So city dwellers are likely the best options for taking in an unhoused neighbor.
Yes, we are called to help the stranger. But sometimes we need help from other places to be able to do that. Ultimately, I believe we need to look at our broken systems that lead to people becoming unhoused and address those…as well as the epidemic of unaffordable housing across our the U.S.
Thank you for sharing your experienced perspective. I totally agree. We definitely need to focus on the broken systems. That's the only way we will actually address this issue in any significant way.
The problem is that with our current system of government, no one in charge cares about people who aren’t paying taxes or “contributing” to our capitalistic (on steroids) society. I get a little angry when I think about it for too long.
Thank you, Angie. Difficult question to answer. Ask me to donate to a shelter? Sure! But actually opening my door - scary.
Re church as sanctuary - we found in St Louis county all sorts of regulations, zoning, health codes, etc. and of course nimby. I think sheltering folks is going to be a huge issue if an immigration round up begins.
I think Americans have an idea that food, shelter, health care must be earned (thank you, Calvin?) charity is from the good hearted to the “less fortunate.” Sharing belongs in kindergarten - it’s individual achievement that matter.
Great insight there. One of the things I think is going to have to happen for the future of the church is that their buildings become multi-purpose. And offering a roof to those who don't have one is certainly high on the list.
I remembered: before Covid, our church sheltered about 12 women and children one night a month - they moved around to other churches & a church-sponsored shelter. Volunteers prepared dinner & breakfast. We had blow-up mattresses, sheets, & blankets. Covid completely wiped that out of my mind. They had to be gone by 8 a.m, I think. It was allowable, like a lock-in for youth.
As someone who has a deep heart for the unhoused and hungry among us, as well as having worked with and among those in my own city, I do know this problem is complex, but not unsolvable.
Part of the complexity is that some of the unhoused need more help that the typical neighbor can provide. For those who have been unhoused for quite a while, there could be problems with drug abuse and/or mental health issues. Unless you and I are professionally trained to handle these types of issues, we could be creating more problems for both them and ourselves.
Many times unhoused people want to live close to a city to be near public transportation. So city dwellers are likely the best options for taking in an unhoused neighbor.
Yes, we are called to help the stranger. But sometimes we need help from other places to be able to do that. Ultimately, I believe we need to look at our broken systems that lead to people becoming unhoused and address those…as well as the epidemic of unaffordable housing across our the U.S.
Thank you for sharing your experienced perspective. I totally agree. We definitely need to focus on the broken systems. That's the only way we will actually address this issue in any significant way.
The problem is that with our current system of government, no one in charge cares about people who aren’t paying taxes or “contributing” to our capitalistic (on steroids) society. I get a little angry when I think about it for too long.
Totally get that. I'm right there with you.
Thank you, Angie. Difficult question to answer. Ask me to donate to a shelter? Sure! But actually opening my door - scary.
Re church as sanctuary - we found in St Louis county all sorts of regulations, zoning, health codes, etc. and of course nimby. I think sheltering folks is going to be a huge issue if an immigration round up begins.
I think Americans have an idea that food, shelter, health care must be earned (thank you, Calvin?) charity is from the good hearted to the “less fortunate.” Sharing belongs in kindergarten - it’s individual achievement that matter.
Bo,
You may find this interesting:
https://davostheos.substack.com/p/sanctuary?r=29ba73
Great insight there. One of the things I think is going to have to happen for the future of the church is that their buildings become multi-purpose. And offering a roof to those who don't have one is certainly high on the list.
I remembered: before Covid, our church sheltered about 12 women and children one night a month - they moved around to other churches & a church-sponsored shelter. Volunteers prepared dinner & breakfast. We had blow-up mattresses, sheets, & blankets. Covid completely wiped that out of my mind. They had to be gone by 8 a.m, I think. It was allowable, like a lock-in for youth.