Salvation Army closed nighttime shelter....

Yesterday was my day to deliver the zip lock bag of goodies to the soup line at Sally.

It was an overwhelming day to learn that they had to close the nighttime shelter due to a few inappropriate actions of a handful (or less)of people staying there. I was told the inappropriate actions were people peeing and pooping outside the shelter on the sidewalk. (there are plenty of bathrooms inside) In stead of finding those few the services they need (detox, mental health, jail...whatever) they had to close the entire shelter. 100 more people on the street since last wed.

As I drove up I noticed a completely different crowd than the week before. People I had brought dog food for were not there. The lady that needed Shampoo, not there. I will just carry those items around until I find them again. It was right after the first of the month so those who get welfare, ssi, ss, ssd may of had funds. I only saw about 15 poeple in line for lunch.

Or, maybe they could not get to the lunch. When they are not allowed to use the shelter they must find a place to *camp* at night. It is not always close to services. Some will resort to doing something illegial to go to jail for the winter. Some will walk the streets at night to stay warm and sleep during the safer daytime hours. Some will move to a different city using the $1.00 Cap bus.

I met several people and learned their names this week, which was my goal. Every week I hope to add names to faces. I want to be able to greet them by name out of respect and let them know they are remembered. They are men and women...not 'the homeless'.

I met a married couple named Don and Jeannett who have been homeless for seven years. Both appeared late 40's early 50's but then so does my son who is only 36. The street ages people. Don and Jeannett are both small built and skinney. Jeannett was spoting a black eye that I tryed to ignor. Don had a beard (comman for the men as it adds warmth)that was tobacco stained. When I hugged them both, neither were smelly. I add this as I know most *comfotable people* (those with homes) think all homeless people are scary and smelly. Try giving a random hug for yourself!

Don was an articulate man who talked of being a Christian, his work with the Homeless Colilition, and the need for landlords to rent to the homeless. There is a prejuduce that is allowed by law not to rent to anyone with a felony...and most of these people have a past. Many have co issues of drug/alcohol, felonies, and mental illness. He has funding though an agency to put first, last, and deposit on a rental and no one will rent to him.

I didnt see Joe this week. He is the man with stage 4 liver disease. Please keep him in your prayers. He knows he is dying. I have not had a chance to witness to him, having only talked to him once. I wanted to build a relationship with him so he would trust me first. Please pray that someone witness to him before his death. he may already be a Christian, I dont know. This is my biggest worry this week.

I met Dennis, he is working on building a daytime center that coordinates services for all the agencies in town. I talked with him about a model serivce in Olympia Washington called The Club House...google it for more information. They helped my son get his SSD started and provided him with all the transportation to appoitments. They did what he would not allow me to do. I am thankful! The Club House has a small kitchen with food and drop in people can make snacks, they have a computer with internet to email home, they give out bus passes, clothes, and even have sofa's there where you can rest and watch a video. It is run by people who volunteer mostly with issues of their own. A remarkable place.

I met Beth, who works for Sally, (volunteer or paid I do not know)at the front desk. She told me the need is greater at the middle to end of the month. She suggested several things that I had not thought of. Any product that can not be purchased with food stamps like diapers, tp, grooming supplies etc etc.

My added goal for this week is to find out what agencies do what in the area. I want to go to the Colilition for the Homeless meetings...I sure hope they are open meetings....