Homeless for the holidays (video)

 

 

It’s been a tough year for all of us with the recession, but some folks in Nashville have been thrown for a loop.

Jobs have been lost, families torn apart and homes repossessed.

All of a sudden, the homeless population grows out of control, people are left out in the cold and all hope is gone.  

Around this time of year, especially around the holidays, local wallets are opened and charities are filled with donations of food and clothes. We all write our annual check, collect canned goods and take our ‘slightly used’ coats to Titans games or our local church, and we feel much better because we helped the homeless.

There are four things that human beings require to survive: shelter, food, clothes, and a purpose in life.

Nashville provides shelter at these locations:

·         Nashville Mission (615)255-2475 1716 8^th Ave North, Nashville, TN 37202 Emergency shelter separate men’s shelter and women and children shelter.

·         Room at the Inn-Campus for Human Development (615)251-9791 532 8^th Ave South, Nashville, TN 37203 Emergency shelter, day shelter only, transitional housing-family

·         Room in the Inn (615)251-7019 532 8^th Ave South, Nashville, TN 37203 Emergency shelter, transitional housing-family.

·         Safe Haven Family Shelters (615)256-8195 1234 3^rd Ave South, Nashville, TN 37210 Emergency shelter-families only.

·         Nashville Rescue Mission-Family (615)312-1574 1716 Rosa L Parks Boulevard, Nashville, TN

Nashville provides food at these locations:

·         Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle TN (615)329-3491 331 Great Circle Road, Nashville, TN 37228 Donations accepted for non perishable food items.

·         The “Bridge” Ministry Located under the Jefferson Street Bridge in downtown Nashville.

Nashville provides clothes at these locations:

·         Homeless Veteran Service Providers

·         Way Stations

Nashville provides free or low cost healthcare at these locations:

·         National Health Care for the Homeless Council (615)226-2292 604 Gallatin Ave, Suite 106, Nashville, TN 37206

·         Nashville Metro Public Health Department (615)862-7900 526 8^th Ave South, Nashville, TN 37203

·         United Neighborhood Health Services-Cayce Family Clinic  617 8^th Street South, Nashville, TN 37206 Also provides dental care.

Society tends to ignore those less fortunate souls that look dirty, smell bad or ask for handouts. Of course, those churches that collected the food and clothing, hand it out but what about other things?

Simple ones, like using the restroom. If you are homeless, you have no restroom, no hot shower in the morning, or a sink to wash your face. The downtown library is one place that allows the homeless to use restrooms. It’s warm, clean and inviting.

Are you going home for the holidays? Good for you. Some of your neighbors will be homeless, cold and frightened. Why not reach out, lend a hand and give them a purpose?

Need an idea on how you can help? Why not try these resources:      

·         Hands On Nashville

·         Volunteer Match

·         Rescue Mission

·         Or your local church

Do you know of other places that the homeless can get help? Please leave a comment below.