THE CRISIS IN HOMELESSNESS IN IRELAND CONTINUES. It is no longer fresh news, life has just become a grim struggle to survive. Many are looking for work which will pay for a shelter from the elements for one day and night, and for enough food to survive for the day.
Homeless who have managed to get some funds for the day share fruit, milk and bread with each other. Others purchase shower gel and shampoo and pour out portions of the liquids into washed cooldrink bottles and cleaned food jars; these are shared among the homeless to they can stay clean. For one more day.
Those who have managed to find a good job donate toiletries, towels, clothing to those homeless and without paid work. Many with work pay for a homeless person's shelter for 24 hours, or for a number of days and nights.
One struggling person was wearing thick winter clothing in the heat of full Irish summer. The reason? No money to buy a set of summer clothes. This person was sweating and distressed, becoming dehydrated. One set of clothing later, together with the favourite drink of the homeless - water - and the smile that met our eyes from this lady was beaming.
Need for offer of free phone calls for homeless
For those who are newly homeless, the panic is where to turn. Phone call after phone call (usually from a borrowed phone - Lumiere Charity offers free phone calls while in the field to the homeless as phones and phone credit are the first luxury to go) may not always offer assistance, especially after hours, weekends and Bank Holiday periods.
Information for those in Homeless Predicament
Information for those in homeless predicament in Ireland can be found at link
http://www.homelessdublin.ie/
Help can be found at
http://www.homelessdublin.ie/dublin-city-council-area
Assistance to Homeless in Ireland
At present, many Street Pastors and Assistance Groups are working among the homeless in Ireland.
Diverse forms of assistance are given; tea and coffee, clothing and umbrellas, thick coats and sleeping bags. Pastoral Care Assistance and referrals to the many groups offering aid with Homeless Issues, Legal Issues, Health Issues, Dependence Issues.
As always, when Lumiere ministers we recall that those in homeless situations require assistance and emotional/ psychological support. As well, it is prudent to be careful where and when you minister assistance. Many teams go out in groups of two or more, a support to each other in the ministry.
Unsung heroes and heroines
There are many who have stepped forward to assist the homeless in Ireland. They are unsung heroes and heroines; and their names are well known and cherished among those in need on the streets in Ireland. The Shelters, among them the Shelter opened by the luminous Archbishop Diurmuid Martin and the Emergency Beds opened by the Peter McVerry Trust and Focus Ireland have eased the lot of many who were struggling for survival on the streets.
Street Pastors and Volunteer Charity Workers among the Homeless are in great need.
Perhaps Divine Providence has led you to
read these words. If so, in the
spirit of Lumiere is there
anything you can do to help?
Bishop opens 35-Bed Shelter, Alleged News
http://www.herald.ie/news/bishop-opens-35bed-shelter-for-the-homeless-30845828.html
Extra Emergency Beds, Alleged News
http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/first-31-extra-emergency-beds-for-homeless-available-in-dublin-1.2030461
With thanks to homelessdublin.ie/ herald.ie/ irishtimes.com
Photograph by Rev Catherine
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