Max out on 2007
Me and the family have just finished helping out with Crisis at Christmas and we’ve all learnt a thing or two that we’ll take with us into the new year. My brother took time to comment on his experiences and I wanted to echo some of his thoughts.
We met so many people from so many different backgrounds; some were fighting to get back in the social loop whilst others chose to live they way they do. They weren’t all friendly, in fact some were a wee bit agressive, but we’d had the training to deal with these situations and things usually settled down.
Too many people there were where you and I are now only a matter of months ago; one gentlemen lost his family (in a tragic accident), and as a result, his business and everything he cherished was also lost. There was nothing he could do but turn to Crisis to help him. The social hierarchy within the homeless community meant that there were always the ’survivers’ and those who were just about holding it together. One guy was evicted from his flat above a pub after the landlord gave him one days notice and landed the debts of the failed pub and therefore the bailiffs also on his doorstep - he became stuck financially and had no option but to live on the streets.
I can’t say that the entire time spent with these men and women was enjoyable (buttering 600 slices of bread in a hot kitchen isn’t fun!) but I will be doing it again next year because I can see the difference a small amount of help in a short space of time makes for those that are lucky to get help. I also met so many volunteers who were homeless last year or at some point in their lives who have chosen to give back to an organisation that helped them get back on their feet.
Some of the guys from one of the shelter locations blogged about their experiences. Click here if you would like to read about them as they were being cared for by Crisis and their volunteers.
I wanted to post about this not because I want to chant about charity but I would like you all to realise the as 2007 rolls out before you, you have such amazing opportunities both personally and professionally and you are lucky to be part of society that we all too often take for granted. It could always be better, but at least we aren’t living in fear of being attacked during our sleep or not knowing where our next meal is coming from.
If you make one resolution for 2007, make it one that gets you everything you deserve and one that keeps you striving for better.
With best wishes for this New Year.
Susanne