Today, I’m joining the We Are The World Blogfest (#WATWB), which posts on the last Friday of every month.
Started by Belinda Witzenhausen and Damyanti Biswas and aided by a series of co-hosts (⭐), their credo is to bring light into an otherwise dark world by sharing links to inspirational stories.
(⭐This month’s co-hosts: Sylvia McGrath, Peter Nena, Shilpa Garg, Eric Lahti, and Belinda Witzenhausen)
We Are the World Blogfest seeks to promote positive news. There are many cases of love and light out there, stories that show compassion and the resilience of the human spirit. Sharing these stories increases our awareness of hope…
Most cities don’t have enough resources to help their ever-increasing homeless populations. Here are some shining examples of people who took the initiative:
TORONTO’S WINTER SHELTER BUS
The “Shelter Bus” is retrofitted with 20 sleeping spaces, a lounge area, kitchenette, washroom and bumper-to-bumper compassion.
From 8 p.m. to at least 8 a.m., throughout the winter, the full-size vehicle will pick up homeless and transients, the hungry and the shivering, in an undertaking so straight-up sensible one wonders why nobody ever thought of it before. READ MORE ►
BACK ON MY FEET
BoMF is an American non-profit initiative focused on helping homeless people gain independence, living skills, and connect them with essential community resources. Its initial program is focused primarily on physical exercise, specifically early morning runs.
The organization was founded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 2007, and, as of October 2019, has chapters in 13 US cities. READ MORE ►
EMMAUS UK
Emmaus (pronounced em-may-us) is a homelessness charity with a difference. They don’t just give people a bed for the night; they offer a home, meaningful work and a sense of belonging.
The first Emmaus opened in 1992 and there are now 29 communities, called residential sites, spread across the UK. READ MORE ►
SHERIDAN SLEEP SAFE INITIATIVE, AUSTRALIA
Australian homewares brand Sheridan has partnered with homeless charity StreetSmart Australia to take a stand against homelessness with the launch of the SleepSafe initiative, a non-profit charity aimed at providing local shelters and refuges with much needed financial relief. It raised enough funds in the first week for 923 sleep kits to be donated to local shelters. READ MORE ►
Tips for helping the homeless ►
List of worldwide organizations ►
This is a recurring monthly blogfest.
To read more inspiring stories, or join the festivities, click HERE ►
WATWB Facebook Page►
“In Darkness, Be Light…”
What are people in your community doing to help the homeless?
Do you think the homeless crisis will ever be solved?
Looking forward to your thoughts!
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Dog Mom and (retired) Canine Innkeeper in suburban Toronto, Canada, known as The Doglady. Former corporate workaholic. Writer, photographer, digital creator. Animal lover, music fanatic, inveterate traveller. Eternal hippie/rockchick. History, literature and cinema buff. Hockey and soccer fan. Dedicated night owl. German/Canadian binational, multilingual. Let me entertain you!
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18 thoughts on “HELPING THE HOMELESS #WATWB #HomelessInitiatives”
Great post! The stats with regards to homelessness in Canada are astounding but walk through any city and it is evident. Incredible ideas! Thanks so much for sharing this and for being a part of #WATWB!
I’m glad you like the post, Belinda. Yes, the homeless problem is a difficult one to solve. I was thrilled to find these positive stories. Thank you for your comment and for hosting this inspiring blogfest. 🙂 Cheers!
Hi Debbie!
What an uplifting post! I can’t think of an issue more deserving of immediate remediation. Yes, I do think homelessness will one day be unacceptable rather than overlooked.
I’m glad you were uplifted, diedre. 🙂 It is encouraging to know that so many people are trying to alleviate the homeless problem. The numbers seem to be growing, and that is a sad statistic. Thanks for coming by!
Hi Debbie – those 4 initiatives are great to know about … especially the bus … but all peoples who help the homeless – I saw a sign possibly on the net … where a homeless person noted … no-one asks how lonely I am … a very salient thought. Thank you for letting us know about them – Hilary
I can’t imagine how homeless people cope during the winter, so I was glad to learn about the bus. As you say, anything that alleviates the situation is good. The loneliness factor is not something we usually think about, so thanks for pointing that out, Hilary.
Such encouraging and amazing initiatives and my favourite is the first one. It’s so brilliant and I hope the person who thought of it ha s been blessed many times over as he deserves a whole lot of goodness. Thanks for sharing this Debbie-felt good to read about so many organisations/ideas helping out the homeless.
I’m glad you enjoyed the good samaritan stories. 🙂 Yes, the first one is also my favourite and it’s a local initiative. Thank you for coming by!
Such wonderful initiatives! I particularly found the Toronto bus service very useful and innovative. I’m sure it must be such a blessing to the homeless. The world is not that bad a place indeed! Thanks for sharing such amazing stories of help and compassion, Debbie.
I’m glad you enjoyed the good samaritan stories. Toronto winters can be harsh, so this must be salvation, for some. Thanks for coming by!
Bless those that help. There are huge swaths of homeless in California. It’s frightening some of the diseases that are reappear and it doesn’t appear anyone is doing much about it. Frightening.
Have a fabulous day and weekend, Debbie. Big hug. ♥
A lot of homeless probably flock to California because of the warmer climate. I remember seeing them all over San Diego when visiting my parents, who moved there in 1974. The recurrence of diseases is the fault of all those people who refuse to vaccinate their kids. 😮 That is definitely frightening! Maybe they’ll reconsider when one of them gets polio! ? Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Sandee. Cheers!
These are some excellent initiatives – especially the ones that offer more than just a bed for the night.
Yes, they are going above and beyond. 🙂 Thanks for coming by!
This is so inspiring. Thank You for sharing Debbie!
My pleasure! 🙂 These good samaritans are a godsend to many.
Such a tragedy. Hugs
I know! 🙁 And there doesn’t seem to be any real solution. At least these groups are doing something to help.