Has anyone ever volunteered at homeless shelter?

Answer 1

Yes I have. What an eye openning and rewarding experience. It changed the way I see the world. As I went back each week and built relationships with some of the regulars, I made friends. It was neat to be able to take my friends and family downtown and introduce them to my new friends. I learned a lot about life and love. I learned about myself and my own prejudice. It was a great experience.

Answer 2

I have. Are you looking for something specific..? Well... I've volunteered in shelters for about 5 or 6 years now. I think I was about 21 or 22 when I started and it's a really great experience.

The first one I worked in, I was the head in the kitchen and the only person dealing directly with the "guests" (as they were called) in the shelter.

Then I worked on a crew delivering clothing, blankets, food and hot drinks at night to people who lived on the streets and couldn't get into a shelter that night. That was really, really difficult because you're right in the middle of it and you see where these people really spend their lives.

More recently I was volunteering in a men's shelter. Although I've enjoyed this as well, the way the shelter is run doesn't really "fit" with me so I've left and will be finding something else. (I'm moving anyway.)

I've some great people (men, women and children) and they've taught me more than I could ever think to teach them. Most homeless people are there because they're down on their luck and don't have the same support that most of us have. It's quite heartening.

Answer 3

I was one of the original volunteers of crisis at Christmas this gave the people living on the streets of London a place to stay over the festive season, I found this work very tiring and also very fulfilling, I still volunteer at a homeless shelter. This sometimes can be a thankless task but if you manage to help just one person, then it is worthwhile

Answer 4

I volunteered at a youth shelter. I did it after I donated 4 garbage bags of clothes and shoes that I wanted to get rid of. I saw the joy in the workers face and voice and decided to help some more. I have a lot of office experience so I answered the phone and did some paper work and filing. It made a world of difference in my life and I know the shelter made world of difference to some of the teens that came through there.

Answer 5

yes, actually more than one. I knew someone who needed help from a group that took in local homeless folks, so yes, I've served food, cooked food, washed clothes, bought and then donated a bunch of toiletries. Face it-they don't want to be like this. So when we can, we offer a good hot shower, cleaned clothing, or donated items if needed and food and a night's sleep. All these things together could help a man whose had nothing going have reason to try to get it together with all these nice supporters on his side.

Answer 6

No but now that you mention it i'm going to. I don't know exactly how to go about it. Having depression you get lost in your own mind and negativity, therefore, I would love to fill that i have helped someone (made their lives better). It would open my eyes. If everyone could see people who struggle and have it worse then ever then maybe it would change their lives as well. If everyone just helped out a little, This World Could Change. Thank you for the question.

Answer 7

I even have. Are you searching for some thing specific..? nicely... i've got volunteered in shelters for approximately 5 or 6 years now. i think of i became into approximately 21 or 22 while i began out and it is an extremely super adventure. the 1st one I labored in, i became into the top in the kitchen and the only man or woman dealing rapidly with the "travelers" (as they have been referred to as) in the safeguard. Then I labored on a set turning in outfits, blankets, foodstuff and warm beverages at nighttime to those who lived on the streets and could not get right into a safeguard that nighttime. That became into extremely, extremely puzzling on account which you're acceptable in direction of it and additionally you notice the place those human beings extremely spend their lives. greater these days i became into volunteering in a adult adult males's safeguard. although i've got enjoyed this to boot, the way the safeguard is administered does not extremely "greater healthful" with me so i've got left and could be looking some thing else. (i'm shifting besides.) i've got some super human beings (adult adult males, women human beings and youngsters) and that they have got taught me greater desirable than i'd desire to ever think of to instruct them. maximum homeless everybody is there by using fact they're down on their success and don't have the comparable help that maximum human beings have. that is extremely heartening.

Answer 8

I worked with the Cyrenians at a hostel for single alcoholics and drug users as an idealistic student.We did the soup run for dossers in the city centre each night. (part of the rehab program for the residents). I also did the night shift at the Talbot centre (a night shelter run I think by the brothers of St. Vincent de Paul) at weekends. The work there consisted mainly of making tea and sandwiches in the evening, breaking up drunken brawls and providing porridge and tea in the morning before turfing the guys back out on the streets, then cleaning up, before heading home. My abiding memory is when I was supposed to be mentoring a junkie-guy and we were at a railway station. He jumped on to the tracks and headed up the tunnel. I headed after him, egotistical in believing I was invulnerable and I could save him. Pushed him off the tracks about 10 yards in front of the train. Literally shat myself. Both got arrested by the railway police. They ridiculed me for risking it for a useless dosser and for messing myself. He apparently died about 4 weeks after in the toilet at the same station after a heroin OD. Still remember his words after the train passed 'you're not jesus and you can't save me and the world!'
So I would say, do it for the experience, but be prepared to be exhausted, disillusioned and even bloody terrified!

Answer 9

Unfortunately not, but that is something I have always wanted to do but never got around to it. Good luck if you are going to do it. Its supposed to be a very good experience. The people you meet and how you can be of help to them. Especially at Christmas time, thats when most of the volunteers are working for the Crisis at Christmas.

Answer 10

Sure. It does you a world of good to be able to "help" someone less fortunate than yourself. Are you aware of the fact that many people became homeless as a result of Katrina? Anyone who would have a problem with helping the less fortunate would probably find happiness being ignored themselves.