Homeless sleep in pews

[Jessie Fong]

I came across an article about how the St Boniface Church of San Francisco lets the city's homeless use the pews as beds.  This is not only for the nights, but in the daytime also.  The church even provides them access to amenities like bathrooms, clothing vouchers, blankets and even haircuts.

It would be good if all places of worship allow the homeless a place to sleep, no matter what time of day it may be.  Times are when food/sustenance is not all that the homeless need.

[DS Star]

Times are when food/sustenance is not all that the homeless need.

Yes you are right, Jessie Fong.

Homeless also has other basic needs e.g. a place for them to clean themselves. We really ought to salute the churches for always been sensitive to the needs of homeless and to provide such facilities for them instead of chasing them away like most people would...

Talking about helps rendered to the needy, Buddhists have Tzu Chi to thank for carrying the flag in natural disasters' relief works.

The Tzu Chi Foundation or Tzu Chi, literally "Compassionate Relief", is an international humanitarian organization and the largest non-governmental organization (NGO) in the Chinese-speaking world with a special consultative status at the United Nations Economic and Social Council. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tzu_Chi

[Rihanna]

Churches or temples are mostly empty all day, I do not think that God would mind if some of His own sons are allowed to find a place of rest and shelter in it. The Church has a preferential option for the poor, and this is a pretty good example of how that works. After all, the 'home of god' is used to shelter HIS sons.

Historically, churches and temples have been used as sanctuaries for people for centuries; shelter during war or natural disaster. However, in cases where the homeless people start making themselves a bit too "comfy," the temple or churches administration should set guidelines for this temporary shelter seekers ie as long as they maintain a respectful silence and sit upright, they are welcome to join during prayers sessions. The sole purpose of a place of worship is to draw those who seek it to grow closer to God and hence going to the chapel is the first step. Those who would attempt to misuse the church or temple for any other activity should be asked to leave, or ask law enforcement to come & escort them to a nearby shelter. The purpose of a shelter IS to provide respite for those who have nowhere else to go.

[sonamdhargey]

I agree that places of worship can be a place of solace for the homeless. Places of worship that preaches compassion should be an example by being a sanctuary for the homeless and the less fortunate. It shuld not just stop at homeless only, but also for orphans and abandoned old folks as well. The places of worship can have an extention for these less fortunate as a place of solace and a place of learning and practice of their religion to promote peace, harmony and compassion.

[Tenzin K]

Most of the time we heard of the charity organization provide food for the homeless. Seldom that I heard that they provide places for clean up or sleep. It’s very true that not only food that they required but they also just like us need to clean up themselves and find a place to rest after a long day.

Normally what we heard on human basic necessity are food, place to stay and clothes but I kwould like to add one here which is also the same important as the mentioned before which is ‘spiritual’. Look at the church that providing the facilities to the homeless and they are more spiritual organization that serving the needy. Spiritual knowledge is important to make one understand the value of their life and what to do for their life.

[Jessie Fong]

I believe that apart from allowing the homeless to sleep in the pews, the Church may want to encourage these people to take on a part time job - maybe help in the upkeep and maintenance of the Church and its grounds, in return for a place to rest the tired body.  This would help to get these displaced people back into the society, giving them a head start to earn a decent living, rather than just live off the charity of other people.

Many homeless are able bodied and of sound mind, making them a source of human capital to be tapped into, given the proper guidance and training.

[bambi]

Yes Jessie. Those homeless should get a job and try to support themselves instead of always depending on others. I am sorry to say, some may be too comfortable in being given the comfort. But I must say the church is doing a good job in helping them. It's just sad that there are not enough charities in the world to help those people to be up on their feet again.

[DS Star]

I believe that apart from allowing the homeless to sleep in the pews, the Church may want to encourage these people to take on a part time job - maybe help in the upkeep and maintenance of the Church and its grounds, in return for a place to rest the tired body.  This would help to get these displaced people back into the society, giving them a head start to earn a decent living, rather than just live off the charity of other people.

Many homeless are able bodied and of sound mind, making them a source of human capital to be tapped into, given the proper guidance and training.

It is great that the church is helping the homeless to get back into society as many of them are able bodied with sound mind. The homeless need to be given opportunity and to be trained well so that they are ready to stand on their feet again.

If they stay too long on the street, they will become lazy and their habits will changed. They will have very low self-esteem and will become too dependent of others to provide for them.

[DSFriend]

During winter and summer, the weather gets very harsh and is life threatening for women and children. Life span for homeless from statistics shows that homeless die 30 years younger than average (Source : http://www.nhs.uk/news/2011/12December/Pages/homeless-people-die-early.aspx). Religious establishment and NGOs are very much needed to give support especially during economic downturns. These are just some statistics from UK and US. I am sure the rest of the world are not the different or worse off. Do dedicate prayers of our protector Dorje Shugden that all will be protected and find happiness.

Source : http://familypromiseorangecounty.org/what-is-family-promise/homeless-statistics.html
Fast Facts About Homelessness and Poverty
Across America

- 13% of Americans live in poverty, including one in five children, the highest rate in the industrialized world.
- 42% of homeless children are under the age of 6.
- Almost 60% of Americans will spend at least one year below the poverty line at some point between ages 25 and 75.
- In America, 17 million children live in households where they have to skip meals or eat less to make ends meet.
- There is no city or county anywhere in the United States where a worker making the minimum wage can afford a fair market rate one-bedroom apartment.
- The cost of rent and utilities for a typical two-bedroom apartment increased 41% from 2000 to 2009.
- 2 million additional American children will fall victim to the foreclosure crisis over the next two years.
- More than 1.3 million children will be homeless this year.
- For families, the three most common causes of homelessness are lack of affordable housing, poverty, and unemployment.
- Homeless families are often hidden from our view—they are living in shelters, cars, campgrounds, or doubled up in overcrowded apartments.

[DSFriend]

During winter and summer, the weather gets very harsh and is life threatening for women and children especially. Life span for homeless from statistics shows that homeless die 30 years younger than average (Source : http://www.nhs.uk/news/2011/12December/Pages/homeless-people-die-early.aspx). Religious establishment and NGOs are very much needed to give support especially during economic downturns. These are just some statistics from UK and US. I am sure the rest of the world are not the different or worse off. Do dedicate prayers of our protector Dorje Shugden that all will be protected and find happiness.

Source : http://familypromiseorangecounty.org/what-is-family-promise/homeless-statistics.html
Fast Facts About Homelessness and Poverty
Across America

- 13% of Americans live in poverty, including one in five children, the highest rate in the industrialized world.
- 42% of homeless children are under the age of 6.
- Almost 60% of Americans will spend at least one year below the poverty line at some point between ages 25 and 75.
- In America, 17 million children live in households where they have to skip meals or eat less to make ends meet.
- There is no city or county anywhere in the United States where a worker making the minimum wage can afford a fair market rate one-bedroom apartment.
- The cost of rent and utilities for a typical two-bedroom apartment increased 41% from 2000 to 2009.
- 2 million additional American children will fall victim to the foreclosure crisis over the next two years.
- More than 1.3 million children will be homeless this year.
- For families, the three most common causes of homelessness are lack of affordable housing, poverty, and unemployment.
- Homeless families are often hidden from our view—they are living in shelters, cars, campgrounds, or doubled up in overcrowded apartments.

[buddhalovely]

Religion advocates claim that human beings are so imperfect that they need to have a role model, such as Jesus, to lead a decent life. And if they don't have such role model, they are "lost." This is how a teenager's brain works, which is grounded in its physiological immaturity. But the brain of most healthy adult humans does need a role model or a reference group to make rational decisions. So, forcing teenager behavior pattern on an adult through religion is a type of violation of his right to take control of his own life, with all entailed consequences.

What a blessed service this Church is providing to those in need. I hope they perpetually keep with this honorable deed. I won't be as hesitant to tithe if all Churches did this.

[apprenticehealer]

It is so wonderful that St. Boniface Church has opened its doors to the homeless.

All places of worship, be it churches , temples or mosques have this very serene and peaceful environment and calming atmosphere. And there is no better place to offer shelter, food and basic needs to the homeless and the downtrodden of society.

Places like St. Boniface Church offers more than the basic needs of the homeless, i believe it also offers a quiet place for these unfortunate people to heal on a spiritual level. It does not matter which religion one belongs to or is an atheist, one still requires shelter from the cold, needs food and needs to wash.

It is through compassion that will heal , at all levels, for those who have fallen off from the path. And i know, with this in mind, there are a lot of religious institutions who have opened up centres for the homeless, orphans, aged , the sick and also battered and abused women. 

[pgdharma]

Most homeless people sleep on benches or under overpasses exposed to the elements of rain or snow. When temperature drops some may even freeze to death. In some cities, bus stations will allow homeless people to sleep inside the station. So it is good news to know that this church allows the homeless to sleep in pews where they can sleep in warmth and safety.

Places of worship like churches, temples and mosques can be a good place of solace for these homeless to rest their tired worn out bodies but it should not be a permanent shelter as some of the ruthless homeless may simply misuse the place. It is better for the places of worship to have an extension within the compound to set shelter homes for the homeless. Within the shelter homes, to train and guide those who are still able bodied to get back into society.