I am a sometime volunteer with the Interfaith Shelter Network in San Diego.  The program provides overnight shelter and three meals a day to people who have found themselves without a place to live.  The program coordinates the efforts of participating congregations, social service agencies, and governmental programs in order to provide shelter and other resources to homeless individuals and families and enable them to move toward self-sufficiency while respecting their dignity. Because of the work of case menagement agencies and volunteers more than half of the shelter guests move on to more permanent housing.  In the El Nido program, virtually all families leave for their own permanent affordable housing, and the majority of mothers leave with increased income and additional career related skills. 

I spent last night in the First United Methodist Church shelter as a volunteer. A real hero in the shelter is Linda,  who spent the past four nights as a volunteer there.  People are wrong who think all homelessness is simply the result of sloth or carelessness.  The great majority of the people in the shelter last night went off to work this morning or to find work.  Margaret and I had made a big pot of chilli for dinner.  Patrick and Elaine brought bread.  Other people brought salads and dessert. This morning we had plenty of cereals, bread, fruit, coffee, and juices for breakfast.  Everybody goes out into the world with very good sack lunches prepared by volunteers.  

People in Congress and the Senate may be unwilling to cooperate to meet the needs of Americans, but hundreds of people in San Diego are willing to help other people.  I am encouraged.

For Information and to provide support:

Interfaith Shelter Network
3530 Camino del Rio North Suite 301
San Diego, CA 92108

The Interfaith Shelter Network does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age or disabilities in hiring practice or provision of services.