Origin Coffee’s Post

New: We're investigating what happens when local agencies remove homeless encampments and take belongings from the people living in them -- an increasingly common practice across the country. https://propub.li/3UZG6be

How do we make the experience of homelessness short? Until we can tackle the root causes of homelessness, we will continue our vital work to make the experience brief. By supporting people to access housing quickly, we prevent prolonged rough sleeping and its harmful effects. Find out more about this key area of our work which support individuals into stable and safe housing: https://ow.ly/2xPz50SrSzl

DO YOU KNOW? When things get tough, it's important to take a step back, breathe, and break the problem down into smaller parts. Focus on what you can control and take small, manageable steps towards finding a solution." Now, let's apply this nugget to a societal challenge, like homelessness: "When we see people struggling with homelessness, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by the enormity of the issue. Instead of feeling helpless, we can break it down. We might not be able to solve homelessness for everyone, but we can focus on what we can do, like supporting local shelters, volunteering time or resources, or advocating for policies that provide affordable housing and support services. By taking small steps together, we can make a big difference in the lives of those experiencing homelessness." #30daysbrandingchallengewithTonye #brandasacounsellor #counsellorsrock

I recently had the opportunity to be part of the organizing crew for a sleep-out as part of the Anglicare Ambassadors program, raising awareness and support for homelessness. We spent the night on a rooftop, waking up at 3 AM after a simple dinner of soup and bread. As part of the experience, we ran an interactive game that imitated the struggles homeless people face—scrambling for food and basic resources. It was eye-opening, but it also reinforced a critical point. While these events are powerful for raising awareness, they also serve as a reminder that we need to go further. Awareness is important, but without real, direct action, it falls short of creating the meaningful change that’s desperately needed. Sleeping out on a roof, with just a sleeping bag, may give us a small glimpse into the harsh reality of homelessness, but it’s not enough. We need more sustained, impactful efforts to address the root causes and truly make a difference in the lives of those experiencing homelessness. I’ve joined this program to contribute to those efforts and hope to see more initiatives that go beyond awareness—ones that truly impact our communities for the better. #HomelessnessAwareness #DirectImpact #AnglicareAmbassadors #CommunitySupport #MakingADifference #CharityWork #EndHomelessness #SocialChange #ActionForGood

On Thursday, I swapped the comfort of my bed for a sleeping bag on the cold concrete as part of #centrepoint's Sleep Out event. CentrePoint is an incredible charity working with young people aged 16-25 who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. This experience gave me just a tiny glimpse into the harsh realities faced by so many young people in the UK. What was the hardest part? The cold concrete. The discomfort. The lack of sleep. The noise. The feeling of vulnerability amongst many other things. Even knowing I was in a safe and organised environment, it was unsettling. It made me reflect deeply on how we take what we have for granted and how difficult it is to sleep out in the cold. Although to some it may seem like a choice it is not, people are forced into vulnerable positions which force them into this circumstance. Only a night in the cold, on the concrete truly opened my eyes beyond anything I could imagine. What struck me the most? At the event, we learned about the complex factors that lead to homelessness. These can include family breakdowns, leaving care, escaping abuse, or simply being dealt an unfair hand in life. One fact stood out to me: homelessness isn’t just about not having a roof over your head, it’s about losing opportunities for education, employment, and stability. The cycle can feel impossible to break without support. How can you help? Homelessness is an issue we can all play a part in addressing. Please consider donating to my fundraising page https://lnkd.in/dbUTzX2m Your contribution, no matter how small, can help CentrePoint provide the support young people need to turn their lives around and give them a fighting chance! Together, we can make a difference.#SleepOut #EndYouthHomelessness #CentrePoint

Leanne is a Street Outreach Volunteer with COPE Galway - this is her #WeAct story for #NVWIreland ... “I don't work in a caring role. I actually work in construction, so the first time I went out, I was worried about being out of my depth. It was daunting. But I was really supported and safe with COPE Galway and immediately, it felt really rewarding. I do the COPE Galway Christmas swim every year. 10am, Christmas Day! I was looking for somewhere Galway-based to have a long-term involvement with, and COPE Galway’s values really resonated with me. So now, at least once or twice a week, I volunteer for their Street Outreach Volunteer Support Programme. On a typical shift, we start about 7pm and walk the streets. There’s usually two volunteers and a COPE Galway worker. We bring hot food, tea, and water. If someone needs a sleeping bag, we’ll try to get it to them. A lot of it is just talking to people who are rough sleeping and making sure they’re ok. We finish up around 10pm, it depends on the amount of people we meet and the time of year. When it's colder, it takes a bit longer to get around.  Living in Galway, I was always aware of homelessness, it's something you see quite regularly around Shop Street. But to see the amount of people impacted, it has absolutely changed my perspective. Homelessness could happen to anyone so quickly. You never know what someone’s going through. And you have to show kindness, perspective, and gratitude. There's lots of little things we can do to help the people we meet feel supported. I’ve been trying to pick up a few words in different languages, so that I can communicate with people a little in their own language. I think that's really appreciated, that they feel a bit comforted, someone is looking out for them. Every day is different, but it's really nice to be able to get to know the people we’re helping. Obviously, we're providing a practical support, but I think the emotional impact is important too. If we really want to make Galway a community, it’s so important to smile and acknowledge people who are struggling when we pass them on the street. A simple acknowledgment can help humanise the homelessness experience.”

Last night, I swapped the comfort of my bed for a sleeping bag on the cold concrete as part of #centrepoint's Sleep Out event. CentrePoint is an incredible charity working with young people aged 16-25 who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. This experience gave me just a tiny glimpse into the harsh realities faced by so many young people in the UK. What was the hardest part? The cold. The noise. The feeling of vulnerability. Even knowing I was in a safe and organised environment, it was unsettling. It made me reflect deeply on how different it must feel for young people who face this uncertainty every night. What struck me the most? At the event, we learned about the complex factors that lead to homelessness. These can include family breakdowns, leaving care, escaping abuse, or simply being dealt an unfair hand in life. One fact stood out to me: homelessness isn’t just about not having a roof over your head, it’s about losing opportunities for education, employment, and stability. The cycle can feel impossible to break without support. How can you help? Homelessness is an issue we can all play a part in addressing. Please consider donating to my fundraising page https://lnkd.in/e-ED9sWd. Your contribution, no matter how small, can help CentrePoint provide the support young people need to turn their lives around. Together, we can make a difference.

Ever wondered how someone experiencing homelessness gets back on their feet? The answer often lies in the kindness of supporters like you. Your generosity provides: * Critical resources * Structured support * Restored hope and dignity Together, we're not just offering shelter – we're rebuilding lives in our community. Ready to make a difference? Join our mission to provide #LoveBeyondHomelessness. Spread real hope today: https://salarmy.us/4elF0Of

Yesterday the 100 in 100 initiative was launched in Grand Rapids. “An effort to house 100 individuals who are experiencing homelessness in 100 days with an intentional focus on chronic homelessness.” So encouraging to see this private/public partnership. Homelessness is a community-wide problem, and the entire community needs to be part of the solution. Grand Rapids Chamber City of Grand Rapids Mel Trotter Ministries Degage Ministries DeVos Family Foundation Dwelling Place Frey Foundation Heart of West Michigan United Way - Let's recognize every person has having inherent dignity and value. - Let's be proximate to others who are different than us. - Let's engage others with a posture of humility. - Let's seek first to understand, then to be understood. https://lnkd.in/eedUNWJX

It’s Homelessness Awareness Week Homelessness is a significant challenge in Northern Ireland. The official homeless statistics for Northern Ireland currently stand at 55,500 people, including 4,500 children. Resolving this complex issue requires a co-ordinated multiagency, approach. Our Understanding Homelessness resource contains a variety of materials suitable from Key Stage 1 through to Key Stage 4 to support Primary and Post-Primary teachers in equipping pupils with the knowledge to help avoid homelessness. 🔗 Explore the resource at https://ow.ly/2KGH50Ul39Y