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The devastation and misery created in so many lives by the recent hurricanes is horrible. And the outpouring of generosity and assistance by government, organized philanthropy and the general public is wonderful. It is impossible to be perpetually confronted with the scope of the tragedy and not want to respond.
And yet, here in Columbus, our homeless neighbors are being issued tickets by the police for “camping” on public land because the shelters cannot accommodate them, while evacuees are receiving free rent and utilities.
It has been a year since the City of Columbus bulldozed The Open Shelter facility on the Scioto Peninsula, hiding behind the official position that we were no longer necessary. And in that one year, our Advocacy and Day Center has worked with 4,000 different people – twice as many as last year, even though we no longer can provide shelter ourselves.
One thousand of these people were living homeless “on the streets” of Columbus and 1,750 were living in the shelter system, yet still needed our help. Almost 800 more were living in supportive housing programs, yet still needed our help. And over 450 recently and/or marginally housed persons turned to us in their struggle to retain their housing and/or merely survive.
Our Outreach program has engaged 800 folks living “on the streets,” encouraging them to seek the help of our Advocacy and Day Center and visiting them in their “camps” with supplies and linkages to social services. We have provided 53,000 meals. More than 140 come to us each day in the hope and belief that we will respect and respond to their needs.
The general public rarely see pictures of men and women living under bridges, on the railroad land, or huddled against buildings. They seldom hear stories of despair and struggle of those fighting to survive each day, waiting for their names to come up on the waiting lists for housing.
They don’t know, because we don’t talk about it honestly in Columbus.
These people are in danger of becoming the third wave of victims of Katrina/Rita. These people have been left behind and feel left behind. Some of the resources that could have helped stabilize their lives are being diverted by genuine compassion for the “official” victims.
The Open Shelter has been the advocate for those left behind for 22 years. But our financial situation is desperate. To keep our unique services and advocacy role alive, we must turn to people who we think understand the importance of what we do.
We are challenging you to raise $1000 for our efforts. Do you have 10 friends you can ask to contribute $100 each? Do you believe the folks “under the bridge” matter as much as those whose last address was in New Orleans?
Please donate to the Open Shelter. Contact us at 222-2885 or openshelter@juno.com.
And yet, here in Columbus, our homeless neighbors are being issued tickets by the police for “camping” on public land because the shelters cannot accommodate them, while evacuees are receiving free rent and utilities.
It has been a year since the City of Columbus bulldozed The Open Shelter facility on the Scioto Peninsula, hiding behind the official position that we were no longer necessary. And in that one year, our Advocacy and Day Center has worked with 4,000 different people – twice as many as last year, even though we no longer can provide shelter ourselves.
One thousand of these people were living homeless “on the streets” of Columbus and 1,750 were living in the shelter system, yet still needed our help. Almost 800 more were living in supportive housing programs, yet still needed our help. And over 450 recently and/or marginally housed persons turned to us in their struggle to retain their housing and/or merely survive.
Our Outreach program has engaged 800 folks living “on the streets,” encouraging them to seek the help of our Advocacy and Day Center and visiting them in their “camps” with supplies and linkages to social services. We have provided 53,000 meals. More than 140 come to us each day in the hope and belief that we will respect and respond to their needs.
The general public rarely see pictures of men and women living under bridges, on the railroad land, or huddled against buildings. They seldom hear stories of despair and struggle of those fighting to survive each day, waiting for their names to come up on the waiting lists for housing.
They don’t know, because we don’t talk about it honestly in Columbus.
These people are in danger of becoming the third wave of victims of Katrina/Rita. These people have been left behind and feel left behind. Some of the resources that could have helped stabilize their lives are being diverted by genuine compassion for the “official” victims.
The Open Shelter has been the advocate for those left behind for 22 years. But our financial situation is desperate. To keep our unique services and advocacy role alive, we must turn to people who we think understand the importance of what we do.
We are challenging you to raise $1000 for our efforts. Do you have 10 friends you can ask to contribute $100 each? Do you believe the folks “under the bridge” matter as much as those whose last address was in New Orleans?
Please donate to the Open Shelter. Contact us at 222-2885 or openshelter@juno.com.