What to Bring When Turning to a Homeless Shelter
When someone finds themselves with nowhere else to turn but a homeless shelter, their belongings can be both a limited and limited resource. It is crucial to understand what items are essential and what they should leave behind to ensure their safety and comfort. This article will guide you through the essentials to bring and those to leave behind when seeking help from a homeless shelter.
Essentials to Bring
Given limited storage space, it's vital to prioritize the items that are truly indispensable. A backpack with a couple of days' worth of underwear, a few changes of socks, and one or two sets of clothes (depending on the weather) can suffice. These basics are highly portable and will keep you clean and comfortable. While valuating items may be a tempting idea, the risk of theft is significant and not worth the added burden.
Housing and Basic Needs at Homeless Shelters
I've volunteered at several homeless shelters where the situation varies greatly. Some shelters provide basic amenities, while others rely on the guests to manage their belongings. In my experience, some shelters offer sleeping quarters, but many guests have grocery carts full of personal items. These are not allowed inside the building, leading to a squalid accumulation.
Storage and Amenities
Many homeless shelters have areas designated for daily routines, such as showers, bathrooms, washing machines, and dryers, catering to both males and females. Notably, middle-aged women constitute a significant portion of those seeking shelter. Often, these women cannot receive welfare assistance due to their inability to have children or because their children are too old to qualify for benefits.
Challenges and Support
The challenges faced by homeless individuals are vast and varied. Many struggle with addiction, mental illness, or simply refuse to accept help. Some face the unique challenge of not having a child under school age to qualify for welfare. Others carry the burden of parenting children who have been born addicted to drugs, alcohol, or with various diseases. The use of abortion as a form of birth control is also a common issue in this population.
Shelter Services and Recommendations
Fortunately, many shelters provide a wide range of services beyond just food and bedding. For example, in North Carolina, every shelter I've visited has catered to the guests' basic needs, including transportation, food services, clothing assistance, hygiene supplies, and even school supplies.
Identifying Sentimental Items
While some items may be irreplaceable, it's important to consider whether they can be temporarily stored with someone you trust. Keeping small sentimental items can offer a sense of security and continuity, but ultimately, you may need to leave them behind to ensure you can secure a place where you can truly survive.
Important Documents and Identifiable Items
Among the most critical documents to bring are official identification, such as your Social Security card, birth certificate, driver's license, and state ID, as well as any relevant marital or divorce documents. These items are essential for verifying your identity and may be necessary for applying for assistance or benefits. It's also crucial to maintain a list of these items in case they get lost or damaged.
Handling Clothing and Personal Items
Clothing aligned with the season is a must, as shelters often provide basic hygiene supplies like toothbrushes, toothpaste, and soap. However, many shelters do not allow guests to bring over-the-counter medications or razors due to safety concerns.
Temporary Storage Solution
If you want to keep your own clothes, consider renting a storage unit. A temporary storage solution for a period, such as a month or two, will give you time to acclimate to the shelter environment. Once you're settled, ask the staff at the shelter for recommendations on the most affordable and safe storage facilities.
In Conclusion
In summary, when seeking shelter, the key is to prioritize essentials and not lead with a heavy load. Respect the limited space and trust the shelter's services. Keep important documents safe and, if possible, find a trusted individual to store sentimental items. The comfort and safety of those in need should be the priority.