Opening up a building won’t solve the immediate homeless crises, that’s true, but bashing out a coherent plan to make an open building function will surely help those who need it most, the guys and girls on the street
I often hear the argument that opening up buildings will not solve the homeless problem, that nobody will be there to look after the building and those using it. I hear that there is no money for this and that there are already empty beds not being used in Belfast. This argument is a valid one, only if it were true that people only want buildings open without anybody looking after it and the people who will use it. And the fact that there is money, but it is not being allocated or used efficiently this is clear by the increasing problem and unfolding crises we are seeing.
And the fact that there is money, but it is not being allocated or used efficiently this is clear by the increasing problem and unfolding crises we are seeing.
The fact is we don’t just want to open up a building but we also want people manning them, people who will have the skills and expertise to deal with any situation that may arise, people who will look after the homeless, who will look after the building. But sure there is no one to do this, LIES! There are hundreds of volunteers and out of those
There are hundreds of volunteers and out of those hundreds there are scores who will be able to man the building, in the mean time those other volunteers who lack skills and expertise helping vulnerable people will take necessary courses to be able to effectivly take part and help in the maintaining of the building and the health and well-being of those who may use it.
In order for this to happen and reach its maximum potential, those in power must pledge to assist and even fund the initiative. All volunteers who are on the streets must also come together in part of a wider campaign to raise awareness but also effectively coordinate with each other on the streets. Opening up a building alone won’t solve anything, and having a building opened manned and all would not completely solve the homeless crises here but it would be a lifeline for those homeless who are in immediate need and that’s the guys and girls who are on the streets.
For as long as it takes we must push forward initiatives such as these to deal with the immediate crises. In the meeting which was called by Paul Mccusker, someone said we the people must do more we aren’t doing enough, it’s up to us to deal with this crises. I totally agree, we the people must do more and must step up, but we volunteers should not have to deal with fighting a very, real, crises, it’s up to those in power to take the correct actions allocating funds to frontline services and relative agencies who will proactively work with volunteers who work with the guys and girls on the streets on a regular basis.
The Risen People 