Good morning! I just wanted to say that we are glad that the news is covering this important topic of surviving these winter temps, but at the same time it raises some issues for our community here at Tent City. As most of you know, many of our friends of Tent City have significant mental health and substance abuse issues. I know that we all wish we could take a big, hot pot of soup down there and all the blankets we can round up, but let me explain why it might not be in their best interest. A few of us have got real close to these unhoused friends - we know them inside and out. The one thing that we keep hearing (some have even screamed in our face with tears in their eyes) is that they DO NOT WANT ANYMORE VISITORS down at the campsites. We have to remember that these are their homes, and although a hot cup of soup would sound real good to them, their need for privacy and respecting their mental illness needs ALWAYS RISES ABOVE THEIR WANT FOR A WARM MEAL. It comes down to dignity. We show them love by respecting their space, their homes, their wishes. EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM has asked that we stop going down there. St. Vincents gives them warm meals and a place to sit and warm themselves. Because of all your great donations (thank you for using the drop off sites), they each HAVE A WARM COAT, PLENTY OF LAYERS, HATS, GLOVES AND A WARM PLACE TO SLEEP. They have firewood for their fire rings (although we can always use more - please contact us for drop off). Many are staying in hotels until the temperatures improve. THE BEST WAYS for you to help are to share our GoFundMe pages to raise money to keep them working, to share our fundraisers, to attend our events (when you can meet them and get to know the residents of Tent City personally) and to spread the word. The coolest part of all of this is the way people know people who can meet needs - its all about networking and sharing our resources. Its been awesome to see how Youngstown has come together and rallied around our friends of Tent City. I know we all want to rush down there with our super hero capes on and save them (myself included!) But the best ways we can be super heroes to them are in small, quiet ways. Unfortunately, it is NOT in taking them meals, dumping our garage-sale leftovers under the bridge or donating items NOT on the list. This only makes them mistrust us more, and causes increased stress and mental illness for them. Become their friend when you see them out and about, or at our events. Find work for them. Donate McD gift cards. Donate camping gear. Share our statuses and updates. Make sure your help is actually helping and not harming. Thank you, Youngstown. You are truly changing the world. ~Michelle Davis, Board Member
Posted on: Fri, 09 Jan 2015 15:30:27 +0000
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