Help for the Homeless

"Many of our society’s great problems flow from people not feeling seen and known..."
- David Brooks

Open Door Outreach and The Vulnerable People in Our Community 


THE VULNERABLE

We see these individuals on street corners and in supermarket parking lots. But do we really SEE them?

Or have we created an identity for these people based on their appearance? An identity which is indefinitely associated with negative things like addiction, crime, and mental illness. 

This October, I invite you to participate with me in truly SEEING these individuals. By seeing their immediate needs and contributing something small, here and now, to ease their burdens. 

I know we all feel the pressure of a socio-ethical dilemma when we are stuck at a red light and a vulnerable individual in great need of being seen is standing outside our car window. We feel a nagging feeling to help! But at the same instant, another feeling sneaks in and tells us that the change in our cupholders is insufficient! And then rational thought tells us that though we would love to help, we are likely to perpetuate a cycle to addiction, illness, and poverty by doing so!

Then the light turns green and feeewww! A quick relief from the awkwardness of that situation is just as quickly replaced with the next thoughts of the day. Moving on...

Many people have asked me about the best way to help the marginalized, vulnerable, homeless individuals in our communities. People have told me that if they just knew that they were contributing that change in their cupholder to a more trusted way of helping the homeless, they would do it!

So this month I have created a simple and easy way to do so. By using me as trusted connection, you can be involved in making an impact for individuals in our community. 

After years of working with homeless and underserved communities in Utah, Open Door Outreach has developed solid connections, relationships, and an understanding of how to make sure people feel that they are truly cared about. 

We will ensure that your kind donations of money and supplies are used in the most caring and safe ways to help these vulnerable individuals feel SEEN. 

Please contribute what you can! Financial donations are certainly preferred as it will allow us to purchase needed items and contribute to people's needs in more individualized ways.

But we are also collecting the following items to be given to homeless individuals who need it most:
- Hygiene items/kits
- Shoes
- Socks
- Clothing - underwear, pants, shirts, coats, gloves, hats
- Blankets
- Hand warmers
- Food - nonperishable items
- First aid and other medical supplies
- Cosmetics
- Masks
- Hand sanitizer

We will be using the money and items donated throughout the winter to help homeless individuals in Salt Lake City feel that they are SEEN.

Let's do this together!