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Everyone wants to bring their kids or volunteer at a homeless shelter on a holiday. Many places will turn away volunteers.
If you want to make a difference, bring them on a non-holiday.
Joy Junction is the last place I'd chose. It's not a homeless shelter as much as a church and a revenue source for its founder.
I'd go with St. Martin's...great programs for homeless, long history of accepting funding ( and having open books so you can see where the money goes ) and really reaching out to do more than provide a bed and a bible quote.
They also have an Adopt-a-Family program that allows you to really help homeless/very low income children around the holidays.
St. Martin's Hospitality Center (http://www.smhc-nm.org/index_2.php - broken link)
Thank you. I had no idea that holidays were a bad time. I assumed that there would be more people so more help would be needed.
We're going to research all of the suggestions as a family and make a decision from there!
and there is a lot more you can do than just go serve food once a year
Your cash would be a lot more useful. How about matching whatever dollars the kids contribute to some local charity? I've always found the whole serving food thing kind of ridiculous and just a way for rich folks to feel good while sending a message that "I'm better than you". If you don't have much cash, donate a dessert or something.
I volunteered once a week at St. Martin's for a year. It's a great organization (or was, that was about 12 years ago and I don't know if they've changed). There was the occasional school group that came in to pitch in with various things, I think it was a great experience for the kids. I would just call one of the shelters and ask what is the best way for your kids to get involved on a short-term basis or even a one-time activity. Remember that the shelter has to spend their limited staff hours training and supervising your children. They may be reluctant to do that just for your kids to have a one-time "experience". But I don't know.
I volunteered once a week at St. Martin's for a year. It's a great organization (or was, that was about 12 years ago and I don't know if they've changed). There was the occasional school group that came in to pitch in with various things, I think it was a great experience for the kids. I would just call one of the shelters and ask what is the best way for your kids to get involved on a short-term basis or even a one-time activity. Remember that the shelter has to spend their limited staff hours training and supervising your children. They may be reluctant to do that just for your kids to have a one-time "experience". But I don't know.
In my experiencd there are always plenty of homeless folks who will do the actual work. It's actually good that they do as it gets them back into that mode. What such charities really need are cash and food.
How about matching whatever dollars the kids contribute to some local charity? I've always found the whole serving food thing kind of ridiculous and just a way for rich folks to feel good while sending a message that "I'm better than you".
I don't believe in "matching dollars"...
I have served, cooked, escorted and cleaned up at times, and I have had some homeless people help. Some may call it teamwork, I never called it ridiculous, but I guess it depends on the individual.
and there is a lot more you can do than just go serve food once a year
Who says we'd only do it once a year? I'm sure there is a lot more you can do, too. Don't knock me for trying to do something good.
Quote:
Originally Posted by CAVA1990
Your cash would be a lot more useful. How about matching whatever dollars the kids contribute to some local charity? I've always found the whole serving food thing kind of ridiculous and just a way for rich folks to feel good while sending a message that "I'm better than you". If you don't have much cash, donate a dessert or something.
We already donate plenty of cash to charities! I'm sorry you feel that serving food is ridiculous...everyone is entitled to their opinions. I have mine. You have yours. That's what makes the world go round.
Quote:
Originally Posted by aries63
I volunteered once a week at St. Martin's for a year. It's a great organization (or was, that was about 12 years ago and I don't know if they've changed). There was the occasional school group that came in to pitch in with various things, I think it was a great experience for the kids. I would just call one of the shelters and ask what is the best way for your kids to get involved on a short-term basis or even a one-time activity. Remember that the shelter has to spend their limited staff hours training and supervising your children. They may be reluctant to do that just for your kids to have a one-time "experience". But I don't know.
Thank you! I'll check it out, too! I don't want it to be a one time experience.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Poncho_NM
I don't believe in "matching dollars"...
I have served, cooked, escorted and cleaned up at times, and I have had some homeless people help. Some may call it teamwork, I never called it ridiculous, but I guess it depends on the individual.
I agree with CAVA 1990 that the homeless themselves do a lot of the volunteering in the shelter and when I was a volunteer at St. Martin's the whole kitchen operation was handled by the homeless themselves, as far as I knew.
But there is a lot more going on there than just serving food. Most of my hours were in the supply room/shower station, doling out dabs of toothpaste on pieces of scrap paper, shower supplies, keeping track of whether it's time for an individual to get another disposable razor/toothbrush/deodorant/comb, etc., or if they already used their quota for the month; sanitizing nail clippers, handing out towels, collecting used towels, putting dog food in baggies, etc., etc. I have to say I got a lot of satisfaction from the smiles of people who were so happy to have a hot shower and get cleaned up.
The shelter also needed help sorting through donated clothes, helping the clients pick out clothes for themselves and keeping track of how many clothes and what kind were given out to whom and when; sorting mail in the mail room; operating the switchboard... etc.
Here is the name and number of the volunteer coordinator at St. Martin's:
Part of the volunteer training even included teaching you how to have appropriate boundaries with the homeless, which I found really helpful not only dealing with the homeless but other people in the world.
Are there any shelters that are interested in donations of cookware? I used to regularly donate various things (clothes, but sometimes furniture or the like) to a shelter in Philadelphia. Things like furniture or cookware would be given to individuals transitioning out of the shelter.
I live in the Southeast quadrant of the city, not far from Central.
(Yes, I'm sure money would be more welcome. I am not nearly comfortable enough financially to be donating much money these days.)
Try Barrett House. If they cannot use them for their shelter, they can resell them in their thrift store.
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