Homeless Prefer Cold Weather To Cold Hearts

As cold as it’s getting around here, many of the homeless are still avoiding the rescue mission.   A close look will tell you why.   At the rescue mission, people are treated rather poorly, and this poor treatment negatively effects homeless people’s emotional state.  Besides that, the rescue mission is an uncomfortable place to be.  The only advantage to staying at the mission is that they keep the heater on so that it is somewhat warmer than outside.

But, the mission is constantly overcrowded during the winter months.  And any crowded environment is a stressful environment.   At to that, that many of the homeless have mental illness issues and drug abuse issues, meaning that they are less able to handle stressful environments.   Then, the mission puts all of its overflow in the day room, where the homeless are not allowed to lay down while they sleep, and the bright lights are kept on all night long.   Given all this, many of the homeless become irritable.  Arguments and fights are common through out the night.  And often it is the staff and “program men” who are initiating the arguments, since they are not really trained properly on crowd management.   So, you will find that many homeless people will opt for the peace and quiet and cold of the outdoors, to the ruckus and rigmarole and warmth of the rescue mission.

Although cold outside, there is more rest found away from the rescue mission.