Ministry Spotlight
Seeking Shelter Solutions
Water in the Desert volunteers pack bags for the homeless.
What is Seeking Shelter Solutions?
by Patricia George
The Seeking Shelter Solutions team, that Carol Lundberg and I co-chair is an action-oriented team dedicated to relieving the suffering of people experiencing food insecurity and the lack of adequate shelter. It's not news that there is a housing crisis in America. It is on television, politicians and social scientists are talking about it. It is a complex problem but not a hidden one. I see encampments on the streets that are growing. I see misery in the faces of the unhoused people I encounter. I see their gratitude when I give them a bag of food and water.
The Seeking Shelter Team sponsors various internal projects that seek to relieve that suffering as well as seeking out collaborations with external groups, such as Tucson Housing First and the Homing Project. In doing this work, I have met many dedicated workers around Tucson like Eric, the Director at the Salvation Army shelter, or Christine and Tia at the Sister Jose Women's Center.
We sponsor projects at St. Francis like “Water in the Desert” led by Jo Moody that puts together bags of food and bottled water that volunteers hand out to those on the streets. We also have a project led by Nancy Stevenson that we call Sheets to Shelters. That project uses volunteers to collect discarded linen and assorted other things donated by local hotels and deliver these items to local shelters.
There is an old Chinese Proverb that says: If you want happiness for an hour – take a nap. If you want happiness for a day – go fishing. If you want happiness for a lifetime – help someone else.
Linens being taken to shelters in town.
These are small things granted, but they do make a difference. The only time you don't make a difference is when you do nothing.
There is a lot of science coming out around the study of generosity and the results are clear: Helping others builds gratitude, and helps me to fully recognize the abundance in my life. It contributes to my health and state of mind.
If you would like more information about our groups, you can contact me at pag7002@gmail.com or Carol Lundberg at carollundberg23@gmail.com
The Seeking Shelter Solutions group meets on the first and third Thursdays of each month (except September 5th) at 12:30 pm in Room 50.
There are plenty of things you can do, and we'd love to have you join us in helping those with less. The science says you will live a longer, healthier and a happier life because of it.