Where did you wake up this morning?? ..For me,It was my warm Lumpy,need's a new mattress bed,In my little flat.
Different story for *John..
He woke up,knee's pulled up to his chest..Lying in a doorway in the city centre...Frozen with cold...Lonely..As he does most night's.
And then there's *Sarah's story..
She awoke early..as the 'Homeless shelter' closed at 8am...Thankfull for bed she had used there...wondering where she will sleep tonight?
Those are just a few of the stories of the people I met,whilst doing research for my post on 'Poverty' ..As part of 'Blog Action Day 2008'.
I started by going to a 'Night Shelter' in my area...It's called G.E.A.R, they provide a safe ,secure environment for the homeless...Not to mention,A warm bed,Hot food..A friendly face...not someone who hurry's past them in the street,averting thier eye's...The outcast's of society?
''One of the thing's I hate...Is the way people look at me when I'm huddled in a doorway,or down an alley..I feel ashamed of who I am...Living in hand me down's..I dont;' beg,I still have my pride...A smile would do'' Said *Bill,51..As he winked at me..For the 50th time 
Am I guilty of doing that...Ignoring the plea's of those living in poverty... Do I give money to every 'beggar' I encounter..Of course I don't...I'm not in a position to do that...but sometimes...they only want to be ackowledged as a human being,a member of the community...of OUR community!
''When my marriage split up..I ended up living with mates,I Did'nt go to work,started drinking to blot out the pain..then they got fed up with me after a few months,so I ended up living rough... It's a nasty cycle..Can't get a job as I don't have an adress..Can't get adress with out Job... They help you at the shelter,get you referred for housing,But there are no gaurentee's you will get anywhere..So I sleep rough when I have to..and here when I can'' *Tom,51
Project's like this,are so valuable to our community,by providing a 'One Stop Shop' for those affected by poverty in some way,shape.or form.
Like those that have a home,but can not afford the up-keep of it...Due to rising prices and lack of job's..some are addict's...and need to 'Work' in order to support thier habit...So in return for payment..they sell the only asset they have..themselves...they use the 'Health Centre'..Also run by G.E.A.R...
''I have been sleeping on the street's for 22 year's now, Last winter was my worst year...I felt like giving up,I did'nt want to wake up in the morning's...I was depressed,cold...Constantly hungry. Only thing I enjoy doing is painting...Life does'nt really have a meaning...But I love to paint.. I'll show you them on tuesday. *Jim,61
I felt very emotional during my time with *Jim..A few tear's were shed..I can tell ya !
Tuesday..I was going to the 'Day Centre' ..to see what They do there...What services they offer,and who uses them.
''We offer everything here,A health clinic,A learning room..where they can paint,draw,use computer's etc.. AA meeting's,housing advice, access to a dentist,Drug advice...And a safe haven...to around 60 people a day.'' *Pam ,Has worked here for the last 13 years...And has seen the centre grow..seen the good it can do.
Outside...I met up with *Jim,61..who I had first met at the 'Night Shelter'...He asked me if I wanted to see his painting's...Well...they were fantastic...He uses the learning room at the centre to paint..And, sometimnes he sell's his picture's to earn a bit of money.
They were amazing..I could see how he felt through those painting's ...Lonely,down,depressed...Lost?
I asked him would he mind if I publish them here...He agreed..and then thanked me for interest in them... Hope you enjoy them as much as I do.
I have so many story's to tell...not enough time..long blog post's equal's boredom... If ya still reading...thanks 
But..What I have learnt is this...
I am thankfull for everything that I have in my life...However small...As these people..will always have less...Unless we change that!
Stop Poverty now!
x x
(*Not real names!)
**For Info on the G.E.A.R Project..click link.
http://www.gearprojects.org/
