Local humanitarian charity, Reach Out/Extiende La Mano, has launched an Assisted Housing Fund in response to a recent serious demand for emergency housing in the area.
The charity’s President, Karolina Leonard explained, "We have had a few desperate cases of late. A young 19 year old homeless girl has discovered she is pregnant and is currently sleeping rough. We also have a widower with three young children (the youngest is just two).
His wife passed away last year and he is in a real vicious circle. He cannot find work because he is caring for the children, he cannot care for the children because he cannot work – and very recently, he and his children were evicted and are now homeless. Luckily, he was able to place the children temporarily (but seperately) with family."
Karolina continued, "The assisted housing fund is a seperate account which will allow us to help out with emergency accommodation in special cases. It is quite possible that at some stage, these people might get assistance from social services, but the paperwork takes so long to go through that they could be on the streets for quite a while, waiting for a form to be stamped or an application to be approved."
If anyone can donate to the assisted housing fund, Reach Out would be very, very grateful for any amount small, medium or large.
Bankia Cabo Roig 2038 6012 4160 0081 1038, Extienda la Mano
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Reach Out (Registered Charity Number: CV-01050467-A) currently helps around 90 local homeless men and women and 35 families in poverty. The homeless people are offered a breakfast and lunch at the charity’s drop in centre from a charity kitchen. The homeless people are also offered the opportunity to have a shower, have their clothes washed and dried and are given food and basic provisions. Often, their own clothing is in bad condition or unsuitable for living and sleeping rough so Reach Out also provides good second hand clothing for the homeless. Karolina said, “We try to restore some of the dignity they may have lost through becoming homeless. Something as simple as a hot meal and a shower, a change of underwear and clean clothes can make such a difference to a person who has nothing and nobody to turn to.”
In winter, and on cold spring nights, this also includes vital supplies of warm clothing and blankets. Some of those with drug or alcohol issues are offered help and in the past, some have even been placed in rehabilitation by the charity.
For the families, Reach Out carefully assesses each family group’s needs and carries out a home visit to learn more about each family’s situation. Karolina explained, “We only have capacity to help around 35 families as we want to do more than simply give them a food hamper and say goodbye. We try to help them get back on their feet again.
We help with school supplies for the children, with clothing, books, bags and pencils. Each of our families has an allowance for our second hand shops so they can come and get clothing or shoes. We also run a solidarity supermarket and our families come in two groups, once per week and can choose essential items with vouchers we issue to them.
We give away in excess of €400 every week in food and other essentials alone. By giving them a choice, we can better meet their needs – some will need food for their children, others might need toilet paper – we allow them to choose for themselves and give them back some dignity.”
Reach Out is always grateful of donations of food, clean clothing and furniture. The charity also needs donations of money and is keen to hear from any club, association, individual or business who would be willing to hold a fundraiser on the charity’s behalf.
For more information on the charity, see the website www.reachouttorrevieja.com, or call Karolina 688348189. You can also find Reach Out on Facebook www.facebook.com/reachouttorrevieja
Filed under: http://www.theleader.info/article/44116/
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