Meeting the challenge of transforming commercial buildings into havens of respect, warmth and energy can never be underestimated, this year Crisis is engaging a team of young homeless people to create somewhere they would like to spend Christmas.

All | Team

Friday Jan 04, 2008

Discovering charity work

I’ve never been involved in charity work or anything similar as fate would have it I became homeless. At the time it was just heart wrenching but as they say ‘sometimes blessings come disguised’. From being homeless I became aware of Crisis and the work they do for people afflicted and affected by destitution. After a few conversations with a friend of mine (Brian, also on this project) I realised that life’s many wrongs and injustices were not exclusive to me, so as per his advice I decided to take a proactive approach.

I found helping with the centres very fulfilling, it gave me a real sense of achievement from contributing to make someone’s Christmas a bit more enjoyable. I personally feel it is a lot more rewarding to help the less fortunate as it means a lot more to them.

The services provided were ideal for people in this situation because, speaking as a homeless person they facilitated the transition to a better life. Homeless people do not want handouts and freebies just a way to work their way out of dependency. So the provision of services such as housing advice, job hunting facilities and further education were definitely ideal in my opinion.    

What I wasn’t too sure about was the wet centres, I feel that these give off the wrong impression as they appear to accept drinking as being OK. I also think that allowing drinking at some of the centres enabled people to be unruly and disruptive instead of getting out of the rut they are in.

I would like to be involved in the project next year as I think I will be in a position to affect some change, the way I see it is I cannot help the homeless if I am one of them so I have to be housed and  settled and then give back, to me, that’s the win.

I did not stay at the centres but I went to two of them to see them functioning and to see and greet some mates. I thought they were run exceptionally well, when you think about the numbers involved, I think everyone involved in the organisation and execution of the event did smashingly well.

By Jamaal

Posted by Team ( 11:44 AM )
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