I grew up with a very simple mindset: if you worked hard enough you wouldn’t have to be homeless. If you gave up what you’re addicted to you can find work, then get a house, etc.. All roads led to success with a little bit of elbow grease. Sound familiar?
But then I moved to London, and I listened to the stories of the men and women that most people walked past quickly on the street, eyes averted. It’s amazing how quickly it can happen.
For many it begins with a crisis. Their parents die and they become depressed, which then leads to losing their jobs, then their homes. Many become alcoholics.
For others it begins as early as childhood. A lifetime of abuse that teaches them that home isn’t a safe place to be. Best to keep moving.
Substance abuse in many forms comes as self-medication. Sure, there are rehab programmes and benefits to help them get back on their feet, but that’s only if they’re willing to come face-to-face with the deep pain they’ve been numbing with drugs or alcohol. Also, these benefits work on the supposition that people who are mentally ill or addicts are capable of making the difficult and life-changing decisions necessary to receive them.
And for women it’s an even worse scenario.
Survival sex is common and expected. After all, having sex with one man in exchange for protection is better than being raped by a dozen others…even if that “protector” abuses you on the regular… Right?
It’s an exchange that many are willing to make. It’s just practical.
As a ministry we’ve now reached the point where we are able to offer more tangible, practical help to the men and women we’ve gotten to know on the streets. We can point them to free meals, cheap showers, get in touch with people who can refer them to shelters. But we want to do so much more.
We want to begin art workshops for them so that they can begin a process of healing through expressing what they’ve held inside for so long. We want them to know that they have a voice worth hearing, and that they’re seen. We want them to be known.
For a while we just rummaged through our own closets or rushed to the shop to get emergency supplies for those in need, but now we’re collecting clothes, toiletries, and sanitary products to have on hand. We plan to make care packages that include all the above, in addition to a card with words of encouragement and a list of places they can go to get help, since many of them are new to London or to the area we live in particular.
We want to see the statistics change. Due to austerity measures, budgets and benefits are being slashed and homelessness is spiking at an alarming rate. Our heart is to meet them where they are and help them get back on their feet. Most don’t have enough self-worth to see that it’s possible. We want to help them see that they are inherently, unchangeably endowed with dignity and worthy of respect.
