Hi all,
As I mentioned, I’m in London right now, visiting with a friend and taking care of some business stuff before I head back north to Scotland. I may be in the UK for a few more weeks, haven’t really decided yet. But here’s a couple photos for you, of me in Trefalga Square, in front of the Victoria and Albert Museum, in front of the Buckingham Palace gates, and a very solemn-looking member of the Royal Guard, whom I unfortunately was not allowed to get close to and heckle like in the movies (thank you so much for dragging me all over London, Vicki Day!!!)
I also wanted to get a few quick links in to today’s Homeless News:
Here in England, four men aged 20 to 25 were arrested for a brutal assault on a 32-year-old homeless man on a train. The man was treated at the hospital for multiple facial fractures.
In Santa Barbara, at least three homeless people died this weekend in the severe cold temperatures. This brings the (very new) year’s current total of homeless deaths in Santa Barbara to five (six in the past six weeks).
Teens in Lakewood, Ohio “showed solidarity” with homeless individuals by sleeping out in the cold for a night. However, the article also points out the hypocrisy inherent in these “homeless sleepouts” (which I like, because that’s something most articles on the subject don’t touch on).
Riverside, which is where I currently stay in California, is opening a new one-stop homeless center that will provide counseling, legal advice, housing help, veterans services and other assistance. It will also host an annual event, Project Homeless Connect, in which attending homeless individuals will be offered immediate medical and dental care, haircuts, food and clothing.
…Any thoughts, comments, etc. on any of these articles? You know I love hearing my readers’ opinions!
Welcome to London!
I think it would be very interesting to compare some of the realities of being homeless here to those of being homeless in the U.S.
I know the social services structure is different, and I wonder what effects this has on people.
Hey,
I was at a private owned Christian mission in a city of about 50 thousand. It was supported by donations only and around 350 churches of all denominations are involved plus communitiy groups and individuals donated as well.
There was a house that had 8 beds for woman and a dorm that help more than twice the number for the men. They also have a separate16 bed Men’s Addiction house AND are starting construction on a 20 bed Womans Addiction house as well.
Again, this is Christian based and love abounds. We had sheduled chores and structured eating times and a 6 pm curfew to be at the house. We had manditory bible studies and classes.
The house mothers rotated evenings. All were wonderful.
We decided to go and sing at Christmas to a local orphanage. We were from all colors and backgrounds but we came together for good.
With so much prayer going on on a daily basis for us I must say…that even if I just THOUGHT about something I needed or even liked….and never told anyone….it would miraculously show up. I was in shock at first and hard to accept but it happened over and over.
Now materialistic things are not what Christmas is about BUT I must say that even with my background of success, I rec’d MORE for Christmas than I did on a normal Christmas.
We were invited to dinners at churches and showered with gifts. I was embarrassed that someone may recognize me as my family and myself are well known. I may have been but no one said anything.
Anyway, this place is a wonderful place. I left because a friend was purchasing a home for me to live in. That fell through. My bed is taken and I am back out here again.
The Mission I speak of is in Bristol, TN serving Bristol TN and Bristol, VA( sister city to Bristol, ENG.
Bri,
you go girl.
I am so happy to see you traveling and getting a wider perspective. i think you will see globally the down-trodden and homeless are always marginalized….. in fact I challenge you to find a culture / civilized country that doesn’t marginalize the poor and down-trodden.
I am glad you are speaking up about the problems – globally. You are a very impressive young woman. Follow your heart, it seems to be taking you in good places.
Suz
SOOO incredibly jealous of your trip to London, but good for you getting to get away!!