Why are we more concerned about people being homeless at this time of year?
I guess the cold weather raises the stakes. In fact Guildford Borough Council is required to make special housing provision if the weather forecast predicts 3 consecutive nights of zero degrees or less.
I suppose we also have an image in our minds that at this time of year people should be warming themselves by a blazing fire in the bosom of their family, opening presents around the Christmas tree whilst supping mulled wine.
Perhaps some also recall the Christmas story where there was ‘no room at the inn’ for Joseph and a heavily pregnant Mary. Could we still be paying some kind of corporate penance for our lack of hospitality afforded to the Saviour of the World?
Whatever the reason, I am always happy to make the most of a seasonal opportunity! I like to remind people that whatever noble aspirations we might have for young people none of them are achievable if they don’t even have a roof over their head. Guildford YMCA provides a home for many young people every night of the year, and a growing number of them are growingly younger! We house around 70 homeless young people over a year and about 30 of them will be 16-17 years of age.
To raise awareness of youth homelessness we are delighted that the Dean has agreed to us holding a Sleep Out at Guildford Cathedral on 31 January 2009, the night before Homelessness Sunday. We are calling it Sleep £asy and as the typo indicates we’re aiming to raise a good deal of cash too! It won’t be warm or comfortable but you can help us make a difference to the lives of young people by joining us. To sign up please contact Lorraine Galliers on 01483 448796. If sleeping out isn’t a practical option but you would like to make a donation you can either send a cheque payable to Guildford YMCA, to Y Centre, Bridge Street, Guildford GU1 4SB or you can donate online at www.lifechangefund.org.uk/sleepeasy.htm.
As you make your final preparations for Christmas, do please spare a thought for those who don’t have the same advantages or family support. And most of all, sleep well this Christmas!
I guess the cold weather raises the stakes. In fact Guildford Borough Council is required to make special housing provision if the weather forecast predicts 3 consecutive nights of zero degrees or less.
I suppose we also have an image in our minds that at this time of year people should be warming themselves by a blazing fire in the bosom of their family, opening presents around the Christmas tree whilst supping mulled wine.
Perhaps some also recall the Christmas story where there was ‘no room at the inn’ for Joseph and a heavily pregnant Mary. Could we still be paying some kind of corporate penance for our lack of hospitality afforded to the Saviour of the World?
Whatever the reason, I am always happy to make the most of a seasonal opportunity! I like to remind people that whatever noble aspirations we might have for young people none of them are achievable if they don’t even have a roof over their head. Guildford YMCA provides a home for many young people every night of the year, and a growing number of them are growingly younger! We house around 70 homeless young people over a year and about 30 of them will be 16-17 years of age.
To raise awareness of youth homelessness we are delighted that the Dean has agreed to us holding a Sleep Out at Guildford Cathedral on 31 January 2009, the night before Homelessness Sunday. We are calling it Sleep £asy and as the typo indicates we’re aiming to raise a good deal of cash too! It won’t be warm or comfortable but you can help us make a difference to the lives of young people by joining us. To sign up please contact Lorraine Galliers on 01483 448796. If sleeping out isn’t a practical option but you would like to make a donation you can either send a cheque payable to Guildford YMCA, to Y Centre, Bridge Street, Guildford GU1 4SB or you can donate online at www.lifechangefund.org.uk/sleepeasy.htm.
As you make your final preparations for Christmas, do please spare a thought for those who don’t have the same advantages or family support. And most of all, sleep well this Christmas!
