Last night as I was leaving the Center, Chaplain Clare was in the classroom talking with one of our guest’s who’s been having serious anxiety issues. At another table, Dr. Willy M.D., was talking with a guest about health issues she’s been having, after previously assisting another of our guests. And later today, I’m meeting with people from CAFA, Christians as Family Advocates, to discuss the upcoming increase of their counseling service for our guests.
At our day use Resource Center, we offer many physical services, such as food, clothing, showers, laundry and computer access. And while these are all important and very appreciated, the young people we serve have many other physical, mental, emotional and spiritual needs which also need attention. The overwhelming majority of our guests come from extreme family dysfunction and trauma, which has led them down the path of addiction, anxiety, depression, dysfunction and ultimately homelessness. And to help them move toward lives of health and purpose, we must work hard to help in these other areas as well.
Most of the young people we serve still have hope that someday they will be off the streets and able to sustain themselves. Most do not see themselves as being chronically homeless, so we strive to do all we can now, while they still have hope, to assist them with all aspects of their lives as they work toward lives of health and purpose.
Thank you to all of you who partner with us in stoking the embers of hope within our young homeless community!