I go back to my Alcohol & Drug Counseling studies next Tuesday and while I am looking forward to school again, I find myself facing two seemingly simple barriers. At least they should be simple. It is amazing how much we miss those little thing in life we enjoy when they disappear.
The first thing I miss is doing laundry. Yes, clean clothes. Having absolutely no money I cannot even afford to go to the laundromat. I cannot, no make that will not go to school in filthy, smelly clothes. Accuse me of being vain if you will.
The second "little" thing is my daily shower. Unfortunately I will be in class during the only times the showers are open at the shelter. So from Monday-Thursday I will not be able to shower. Call me vain again, but I call it social responsibility. After all, would you want to sit next to someone who is filthy and smelly?
One of the most common complaints against the homeless is their smell. While many may have lost their passion for personal hygiene, most just don't have the means to get clean. There are not enough beds in our shelters to house everyone, so for those who sleep outside, there is no access to a hot shower. Also, as most of the homeless have no money they cannot go to the laundromat to was the few clothes they may have. And therefore, we as a society have to deal with filthy, smelly people. Yes, believe it or not the homeless are people. I think we as a society sometimes forget this and look upon the homeless as a statistic.
Some larger cities have daytime drop in centers for the homeless. This is usually a place where they can shower and wash their clothing. A place where they can find assistance for job searches and accessing community resources. A place to find safety. A place for a nutritious meal. A place to find refuge from the weather.
I challenge the people, and especially the churches of Riverside, CA to open such a center. If even a few of are churches got together, they would be able to find the resources to open such a center. And if they do, I will be the first in line to volunteer.
You can do this part by forwarding this message to everyone you know. All it takes is for a few of the right people to make this dream come true.
God Bless
James McPherson
Riverside-Recovery-Resources.org
Riverside-Recovery-Resources.org is a web based portal for those who need to locate resources to assist themselves or others in their journey towards recovery from drug and/or alcohol dependency, homelessness or just the bumps we are experience in our lives.
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