Handwashing Stations

We took this picture of Daniel’s hands!

Every news report we’ve read said that we must wash our hands, but what does this mean for people experiencing homelessness?

What happens when you have no access to water, restaurants won’t allow you to come into them, and people already overlook you every single day—you become more prone to catch the #CONVID-19 virus.

People experiencing homelessness have been wrestling with social distancing way before this virus, and we plan to respond in a very basic way.

This week we’re partnering with with a few cool people to ensure our friends have constant access to water by setting up handwashing stations around the city.

Each station will cost about $100 build to dispense soap & water (and they will be self-contained). If you would like to contribute anything to this project click the button below.

We will keep you posted as we seek to build these so people who choose to remain in encampments will have access to basic water and soap.

Our goal is 20 stations! Thanks so much!

Terence

Displaying Empathy To Others

Having “Empathy” means:

1. Having the ability to “walk in someone else’s shoes” for as long as You need to connect with them in order to be able to feel what they are feeling.

2. Wanting to understand what they are going through and show them they are not alone.

3. Not judging their situation in any way, not making yourself the Saviour and them the Victim.

4. Seeing them as they are. Offering them the space of your empathic presence allows them to feel seen and accepted. From there on, change and healing can take place.

Be empathic and #lovebeyondwalls

LBW Team

James Is Transforming

Sometimes we are unable to put into words how we feel doing this work at Love Beyond Walls —

I (Terence) met James a little over a month ago. He was homeless, jobless, hungry, and without a place to stay.

We welcomed him into our #lovebeyondwalls community and surrounded him with tons of people who saw his worth and value.

In a little over a month, he joined a church, got a place to stay temporarily, started volunteering with us, and yesterday we celebrated that he got a new job less than a mile away from our Center.

Not only does this affirm his dignity, but it reveals to us ALL the importance of the “one.” It’s not always about huge numbers!

Sometimes it’s about the impact you can make in someones life right in front of you.

We are giving our lives to see people’s lives transformed.

Terence

Voiceless Poetry Piece by Subject 2 Change

Check out this original spoken word piece that was written by Derrick Bailey for our upcoming documentary on systemic poverty. This is the first feature length film our organization will put out to give those wrestling with poverty a voice in the U.S.

The name of our film is called, “Voiceless” – If you like this piece, share it or visit voicelessfilm.com

SIX DAYS WITH SHELTER

SIX DAYS WITH SHELTER: It’s been six days since Ronald stopped sleeping on the ground and started living in this small house our organization built and he’s already talking differently.

He says, “Now I feel like I have to accomplish some things like getting my ID, social security card and birth certificate. I also want to see if I can reconnect with some of my family back home if I can find anyone.”

Although he has not fully transitioned out of homelessness, having a solid support system has started to build his confidence that it’s possible to start again. He says, “Being warm has given me the space to think…”

Wow. “Being warm….”

Think about it, when life happens who can you call? Maybe a mother, close friend, dad, mentor, etc.

Well, when you’re experiencing homelessness there is a social isolation and depletion of all social equity that strips your strength from community.

That’s why we urge people who make generalizations about the homeless to NOTICE THEM. Noticing someone might give someone the courage they need to keep fighting.

Over the next two weeks, we are going to help him achieve some of his goals.

If you’d like to contribute basic necessities (such as food, bus cards, etc.) until we get him back home safe and sound reach out. 

Terence