Fitbits and pedometers continue to be the rage. All of us wanting to become more fit and healthy. We allow a devise to measure our steps and celebrate the thousands of steps we take each day marking our progress toward health.
Severe Weather Shelter Network exists to provide emergency overnight shelter on life threatening winter nights. This is likely not news to any of you reading this.
What you may not know is that we are very particular in the partners with whom we choose to connect. We have selected our partners because they represent services and resources that we do not provide. Our partners are also very passionate about empowering our guests by loving them where they are, listening to their stories, asking pertinent questions that ultimately may lead to next steps.
After Severe Weather Shelter Network completed 3 shelter seasons we realized that we had been sheltering a core group of more than 100 individuals for most of the nights we were open. This same group had sheltered with us for the 3 seasons we served. Our hearts were broken to think about what must be preventing these men and women from taking next steps toward sustainability and perhaps a life off the streets.
It was like a lightbulb went on in our collective hearts. We had come to love these men and women very much. Our desire for them is to see them healthy, sustainable and safe. We don’t want to shelter the same people again and again. Not because we don’t like being around them…just the opposite! Relationships were and are growing out of the provision of Refuge. We cannot sit by and not work intentionally with our partners to create a pathway that will allow our guests to take those next steps as they are ready to do so.
Severe Weather Shelter Network celebrates the many steps we have taken together over the last 6 seasons. We may not have reached 10,000 steps as of yet, but we are on our way to realizing the dream of community fitness and health.
Did you know our guests walk an average of 15,000-20,000 steps every day? That equates to 8-10 miles each and every day in their quest to meet their daily needs. Constantly searching for that next meal, a place to sleep that night and perhaps replacing necessary supplies. Every day.
Severe Weather Shelter Network is hosting The Journey Home 5K Walk with 12 of our partners. Our goals are simple:
- Raise awareness regarding the realities of life on the streets
- Provide immediate connection to volunteer opportunities with organizations making a difference in the lives of those we serve
- Raise necessary funds for 5 organizations seeking to address the needs and empower our guests as they take faithful steps toward sustainability.
Walk with us! Your 6,000 steps will assist you toward your steps goal for the day and will assist us in making necessary steps toward the pathway out of homelessness on behalf of and with those we serve.
Click on this link to register to walk today!
- Like the Walk webpage
- Register to walk as an individual or a family
- Share the walk page on your Facebook page and invite friends to join you
- Can’t walk? Consider giving a financial gift according to your passion for the mission.
I look forward to welcoming you and your friends!
Lynn Ann Huizingh
Severe Weather Shelter Network