There are people out-of-doors in our own community. There is no
shelter in south county except in the deepest, darkest, most frozen part
of winter. The closest shelter is San Jose. There is
absolutely nothing we can offer them. This is why
Salva Nos was born.
While we want to help homelessness in our area, we are
not naive in this aim. We know that this is a lifestyle choice for
some rather than an unfortunate circumstance they wish to remedy.
We know we cannot end homelessness and believe that shouldn't
necessarily be our goal. We respect that living out-of-doors is a
choice people have a right to make. Living out-of-doors is as
valid a choice as living in a permanent home, but in our current society
there are problems inherent with this choice like city/county ordinances
and vagrancy laws, disdain from the community, and lack of community
resources for such a lifestyle choice. That being said, we'd like
to provide access to clean water, restrooms, showering facilities, and a
legal place to "be". We'd also like to change public perception of
the homeless and bring to light the fact that not every homeless person
is a contributor to the criminal element.
However, we also know many of the homeless are not homeless by
choice. They are homeless due to a life crisis that left them
nothing to cling to. We endeavor to help those who'd like a stable
home, job, and life to achieve it. We want to assist those who are
homeless due to mental illness and drug abuse in finding health and
wholeness.
The homeless may
seem like they are a whole separate community from us, but that
community is nonetheless part of this community. You pass them on the streets every day when you go somewhere.
Maybe they are such a part of the landscape that you don't even notice
them anymore. Perhaps you see them so often, you and your family
have nicknames for them. We do.
Do you ever wonder where they go?
Where they sleep?
Whether they have clean water?
A safe place to bathe?
Warm food?
Enough blankets?
Anyone to love them?
Do you ever wonder if it all happened because:
... they desperately need medication?
... they fled a domestic violence situation?
... they lost their job, then lost everything and had no family that
could help?
Do you ever wonder?
Do you ever think something should be done?
Do you ever think the person who could help just might be you - even
if only in some small or indirect way?
Who will help if not you?
Who will care if not you?
Who will know whether you did or didn't?
A Video To Ponder
The following video was made by a MySpace friend named
Mr. Noah Tall.
He's a law enforcement officer in Utah and he happened to wonder one
evening, as he waited hours for mechanics to finish up on his car, what
it might be like if he really didn't have anywhere to go or anyone to
call.
Donate to Salva Nos and your money benefits the homeless right here
in Gilroy, San Martin, and Morgan Hill.
