How can entering a shelter help a homeless person?
It all depends on the person. Entering a shelter is not for everybody. In my experience, every month, five or six people that I meet enter a shelter. Entering a shelter is a positive step because it would signify being in the system. It would signify having official access to services most easily, and more rest. One of the things that chronically homeless lack most is proper sleep. Also, according to the continuum of care/ harm reduction, one of the guiding principles that First Helping follows, getting into a shelter would mean getting the individual into a situation that is less harmful than the last he or she was in. From there, one can then ask, whats the next thing this individual needs? What social services do you help provide your clients with? What dont I do? Doing outreach means I never say, Thats not my job. It doesnt matter who it is, I am here to help anyone who asks. Ive been linking people with shelters, psychiatric care, medical benefits, carting them around town, talkin
