A Seat at the Dinner Table

Growing up, I always had a seat at the dinner table next to my brother; the laughs and arguing about who gets the last of the chicken nuggets filled the atmosphere. Unfortunately, this welcoming environment is not experienced by the homeless population in the many shelters who operate to simply feed and keep beds rolling to ensure the highest number of people can be served.
The harsh reality for the homeless is the struggle to find this sense of security and inclusivity. People experiencing homelessness are often not seen as human and stereotyped as “lazy” or “addicts” who chose to end up on the street. These stereotypes are hurtful and wrong. There are many factors that play into why they lost their homes. Eviction or struggles with mental or physical health are a few examples.

Severe Weather Shelter Network provides a smaller community that allows volunteers to get to know the guests firsthand and create relationships to foster this missing sense of community. Shelter volunteers may be intimidated by guests at first. Over time our volunteers realize our guests are human too and need the relationship as much as we do.

There is room at the table for everyone on a shelter night. Evening volunteers are essential to creating a welcoming atmosphere and aid in fostering a safe space to help relieve the struggles for that night. You can find more information about volunteering and sign up fon the Severe Weather Shelter Network Volunteer page. Pull up a chair! You are welcome at the table and needed for just such a time as this!