February 23, 2012

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Helping the Homless in You Community

Homeless Shelter 

Image by Tobyotter via Flickr

Deciding to lend a helping hand to those in need is a wonderful act.  Each community finds people that have fallen on hard times. They cannot provide the basic items they need to survive. No matter what has placed them in that position, their needs outweigh their means. Daily life is a struggle. They seek shelter. Helping out at a local homeless shelter is a good thing.

The main reasons that have contributed to the rise in homelessness over the last two decades are poverty and lack of affordable housing.  When employment opportunities are slim, cuts in pay or benefits can make a dent in one’s financial security. Sometimes the financial load grows to large and sets an unfortunate chain of events in motion. Homes can become foreclosed on, leaving people in need of somewhere to live. Some of those displaced from difficult circumstances find themselves at a shelter.

By choosing to volunteer your time to assist at a local shelter, you are providing an invaluable source of help to these organizations. Many shelters are run by non-profit agencies and community churches. Whether you serve a hot meal, help someone with their resume, or perform light office filing, you are making a difference. If you are able to donate time, see which shelters are in your area.

People are busy. Sometimes finding time can be a challenge. Shelters are constantly in need of basic items such as shampoo, razors, toothbrushes and shaving cream. These gifts are accepted with gratitude. Another unfortunate aspect of homelessness are the children affected. Shelter life can be hard for a child. Donations of diapers, children’s multi-vitamins and clothing are priceless.

 

Filed Under: Homeless, Real Estate Tagged With: , ,

Penny Sit-Ups and Four Penny Coffins – Early Homeless Shelters

Salvation Army homeless clients at Blackfriars...

Image via Wikipedia

A homeless shelter is a place for homeless or displaced peoples to stay temporarily. Typically, such shelters are only available during the night and the residents are to spend their time elsewhere during the day. In Victorian era London, two of the earliest examples of what we would call homeless shelters became known as the penny sit-up and the four penny coffin.

The penny sit-up was a shelter in which the homeless could pay a penny to sit indoors, out of the elements. For their penny, patrons got a seat on a bench and not much else. Some penny sit-ups provided food, but sometimes it was just the bench that people could sit on during the night. They, however, were not allowed to lie down and sleep on the bench though presumably they were free to sleep sitting up.

The penny sit-up provided only a bench, warmth, and usually a little food. What was termed the four penny coffin – or coffin house – provided food and a place to lie down and sleep. People paid a small amount and, for the night, they received shelter, food, a simple wooden, coffin-like box, and a tarp for covering. Some organizations provided actual beds, but at higher prices.

By today’s standards, these shelters are considered largely inadequate or harsh. In their day though, they were economical and even compassionate. Many were run by the Salvation Army – an organization that continues to provide for the homeless and displaced today. Though nowadays, the Salvation Army generally doesn’t rent out a coffin and tarp for a night’s use.

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Don’t Be Afraid to Seek Shelter

Homeless shelters are there for anyone that needs to use them for safety from the cold or an abusive situation. If you or someone you know is being abused then a shelter may be the answer for temporary sanctuary. Every life has its struggles and when your life is going through a hard spot you need to find someone that will help you. If you have a child with you and you are going through an abusive time in your life you need to get away for the sake of the child.

Children that are abused show aggressive tendencies when they grow into adulthood. When a child is subjected to abuse they may take on these traits when they have relationships of their own. Not every child lashes out like this when they grow up, but the majorities do. When a child comes from a very abusive household they have a higher chance of showing these traits. It is almost guaranteed that a child will grow up to be violent if they are subjected to abuse every day. The child will either be violent to themselves or with the people they have a relationship with.

If you are a mother and you are being mistreated and your child is being mistreated then you have the responsibility to move out and seek shelter. You do not deserve to be abuse and your child does not have to grow up seeing that. There is a better situation out there for you, but you will not be able to see it if you don’t leave. Take the first step in the right direction with your life and leave. Cut your losses and take your child with you and seek out a better place to live. No human being needs to be abused and if you are being abused then know that there are people, who have been in the same situation willing to help you.

Filed Under: Homeless Tagged With: ,