Homeless in Bel Air
There are a few people living in the woods behind my neighborhood. Yup, in the woods, no home to go to, no safe place to lay their heads. It makes me wonder if and when our economy is going to rebound. I know nothing about the Dow or NASDAQ, and if you try to explain it to me, my eyes will glaze over and I will start dreaming of rainbows and unicorns.
What I do know is if things don't change, there are going to be more people out of jobs and living in the woods. How can we as a community start to make a change? How can we expect these people who have no other options to change? How can I explain to my children that there are so many more people in this situation than they see? Are there any resources in this county for displaced people who are looking for jobs and a safe place to live, and if so, what are they and how do we help?
I am fortunate in the fact that my family would help us in a pinch if we lost our home, but there are countless others whose families are either not around, or not in a position to help. We all want to live in a perfect world, but the reality is, most people are just a paycheck away from homeless.
If anyone can give me resources and who to contact for these people, please feel free to contact me. The only other thing we can do at this point is make a choice to vote for better people in our government offices, and pray that this does not happen to us.
kalka2
12:19 pm on Wednesday, September 7, 2011
New in town myself, and fortunately not living in the woods. Many churches provide services to the homeless, or can direct you to those who will. You might try the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Harford County, who help the homeless as part of their social justice program. http://uufhc.net/
bobmetoo
2:15 pm on Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Alliance Inc, has been working to provide services to help the homeless in Harford county. There is an Assertive Community Mobile Outreach Team that consists of doctors, nurses, therapists, substance abuse counsellors and peer advocates that regularly meet with 45-50 homeless weekly. For more information contact Alliance ACT of Harford County at 410 273 1399.
Lisa Marie Over
4:35 pm on Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Alliance is great place with very caring and giving people.They helped me get back on my feet with a place to stay,food,medical care and the encouragement you need.Honestly without their help I don't know where I would be today.
Melody
7:28 pm on Wednesday, September 7, 2011
I am not speaking for all of the homeless that live in the woods, but I do know that a lot of them do not want any help. My husband is a trooper and has often dealt with the individuals. He has offered to take them shelters etc and they refuse, they are chosing to live there. I wish they would take him up on his numerous attempts to help them. I know that several churches in the area offer food, shelter etc. It is a sad situation, but sometimes you have to look at both sides...maybe they do not want the help
Proud to be liberal
9:48 pm on Wednesday, September 7, 2011
I just came from a meeting with the New Harford Democratic Club where that very topic was discussed. The Welcome One Emergency Shelter is located in the Riverside Business Park. The Emergency Shelter opened in 2006 and was a collaborative effort with the Harford County Government, local Faith Communities and various Civic Agencies. The Emergency Shelter houses up to 28 individuals (22 men and 6 women) as well as the administrative, program and support staff of the FCCAU. Call 410-272-2229
Wings
10:57 am on Thursday, September 8, 2011
Melody I agree with you, most of them do not want help. I do however think of those people often. Such as times like now when the rain is relentless or when we get 4 ft of snow, are they warm are they scared. Are they able to get to a place that has food. I honestly have wanted to buy food and walk back there and give it to them. But my fear holds me back and instead I thank God that I have a warm bed and food to eat every night. With the way the weather has been this year you never know when you may be homeless.
Marycarol Skaggs
1:24 pm on Thursday, September 8, 2011
Homelessness Summit 2011 - The Circle of Care in THE TENT
Tues, 9/20, 7pm
For more information, please contact:
Anne' Marie at Sharing Hope Foundation, 410-688-3478 or AnneMarie.SharingHope@yahoo.com
~ Special Guest Speaker - Tracey Tiernan of SHINE FM! ~
The new "face" of homelessness is now families with children. According to the United way, the average age of a homeless person in the US right now is age 9. Have you ever wondered who you would turn to if you and your family or friends became homeless? What resources and support would be available to you in your time of need and crisis? Maybe you have always wanted to help with an organization that helps people dealing with homelessness? Then this is where you need to be!
There is hope and we are meeting the needs of Harford County’s Homeless by surrounding them with the compassion, services and the housing they need to move from homelessness and hopelessness to wholeness and independence!
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Join us for worship, learn more about the vision for tackling homelessness in Harford County and how the homeless Circle of Care can partner with churches to successfully transition our homeless individuals and families to an independent, hope-filled life!
Jill Bracewell
9:04 pm on Thursday, September 8, 2011
Thank you all for the comments. I will be passing along all of the info on here....I hope everyone is safe, warm, and dry tonight!
Jill