The day was cold and there was no place to go, as simple as that. He had messed up his life, no one would deny that. His mom was always there for him and he really had no excuses, except that he wanted to have fun and school and work were a chore. Drugs and alcohol deadened the pain on days like today. Drugs and alcohol had stopped being fun and had now become an ugly necessity.
His mom cried out to HART asking for solutions. Sadly, we couldn’t offer her one. Until he decides he wants the help, we are powerless. It is a tortured cry we have heard before from many mothers.
So, in the meantime, we care for them. Twice a week at United Methodist Church, showers are offered, and Christy Cares provides lunch. Sometimes, car repairs, a blanket, clothes from the Clothes Closet and a backpack are offered. And then we wait…wait until they are done with the drugs and alcohol and are ready to take on the hard job of changing.
During the twelve weeks of our Winter Sanctuary we have the opportunity to touch many of the homeless in Elk Grove. While staying at the various churches, we bring in Elk Grove’s Navigator who helps to evaluate what services each person may need. Often the homeless are on disability and just need assistance in finding housing, or they need an ID or a social security card so they can work.
While their moms wait, we wait with them for their desire to change, for it to be stronger than the drugs or alcohol. There is no greater joy then to see a mother reunited with her child. Patience is learned and we have gotten pretty good at it. We’ll wait for your child too.
We are not paid, we do it because we believe the homeless need the opportunity to live a better life and can do so with a little help.
May 2nd is the Big Day of Giving. Please give generously and be a part of helping the homeless of Elk Grove get off the streets and into permanent housing.
