Not about a handout, but survival

United Way of Kootenai County agencies provide much-needed services during winter months

United Way envisions a world where individuals have the resources they need to achieve their human potential. Unfortunately, as many as one-third of working Americans do not earn enough money to meet their basic needs. Wages have not kept pace with the rising cost of housing, health care, and education and currently, 40 million Americans are working in low-paying jobs without basic health and retirement benefits.

According to the 2014 Point-In-Time Count Report for Region One published by the Idaho Housing and Financing Association, 522 homeless men, women and children were identified in our area (Region One) as homeless. According to the report, on the night of Jan. 29, 13 percent spent the night in a vehicle, 20 percent outside and 67 percent in non-housing shelter. While one night may not seem indicative or an issue, 59 percent are experiencing chronic episodes of homelessness. It also doesn't take into consideration the potentially hundreds who were missed because of couch-surfing or doubling-up with friends or relatives.

Temperatures were below 30 degrees on that day. We invite you to experience what homelessness feels like, as shared by Jeff Conroy, executive director of St. Vincent de Paul and Partner Agency of United Way of Kootenai County.

"Close your eyes...

Imagine you're outside, it's dark, the wind is blowing and you can feel the cold biting at your skin.

You're cold, your clothes are a little damp, your skin is shivering and you're hungry. You cannot get warm.

Scared?

Now open your eyes. Are you inside and warm?

Those opening sentences are very real for those living on our streets. In 2013 St. Vincent de Paul North Idaho and Fresh Start opened their warming center doors for 77 nights between Nov. 1, 2013, and March 1, 2014, when the temperature fell below 25 degrees to allow those on our streets to get warm. On most nights the combined warming centers had anywhere from 60-75 people out of the cold, and getting a warm meal. These evenings weren't about a handout; they were about survival.

In April of 2014 Fresh Start merged with St Vincent de Paul North Idaho so they would be able to continue as a very important outreach program in our community. But with that merger, St Vincent de Paul North Idaho can only fund one warming center, potentially leaving 35-40 human beings to fend for themselves in the cold this winter. Unless we can raise the $18,750 to open our other facility in Post Falls or another organization will step up to help, we will only have room for 35-40 people per night.

The homeless this winter are not a political issue or a religious issue, they're a human issue.

Many families in Kootenai County are simply one step away from homelessness. A job loss or unexpected illness could unfortunately put our friends or neighbors into an uncertain downward spiral, leaving them to make choices of surrendering homes and seeking shelters.

United Way of Kootenai County's mission is to improve the lives of people in our community. United Way's goal is to create long-lasting changes by addressing the underlying causes of these problems. To Live United means being a part of the change. It takes everyone in the community working together to create a brighter future.

As January is once again right around the corner and temperatures are dropping quickly, United Way of Kootenai County and St. Vincent de Paul are working together to raise awareness. Please join us and Live United to help support our warming centers with donations of sleeping bags, warm clothing, socks, hot meals, or monetary donations. For more information contact St Vincent de Paul North Idaho social Service Director Matt Hutchinson at 664-3095 or drop off donations at 201 E. Harrison, Coeur d'Alene.

Volunteer Opportunities:

The fourth annual free community Thanksgiving Dinner will be held on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2014. Last year, in cooperation with community organizations, more than 1,300 people were fed from our area for free. This year the planning committee is working hard preparing for an estimated 1,500 people in our community.

Volunteers are needed to greet, hostess, bus tables, prep and serve food, and cleanup. Providing a nice Thanksgiving meal with amazing volunteers may help relieve pressure from families struggling to give their families a memorable Thanksgiving. It can also provide a sense of comfort for those who are spending the holiday alone.

- Ring in the Christmas season as a Salvation Army Red Kettle Bell ringer! You're invited to ring bells for the Kootenai County 2014 Red Kettle campaign. Ringing bells for The Salvation Army can take as little as two hours and is the perfect and fun volunteer opportunity for individuals, civic groups, families and children!

All funds donated to kettles stay local and provide the basic needs of food, rent, fuel assistance, winter clothing, camp scholarships for kids and Kroc Center scholarships. Wear a fun hat, sing, or just smile and ring the bell.

For more information on how to register for these volunteer opportunities, visit www.kootenaiunitedway.org, click on the "VOLUNTEER" link to view these listings and other volunteer opportunities in your community, or contact Jeanette Laster at United Way of Kootenai County, (208) 667-811, Ext. 101.

Get Connected!

The United Way of Kootenai County Volunteer Center

GET CONNECTED!

* "One-Stop Volunteer Resource Center" for the whole community

* Ongoing and one-time volunteer opportunities

* TAKE ACTION

Call 208.667.8112 or visit the

United Way's Volunteer Center website

www.kootenaiunitedway.org

GIVE. ADVOCATE. VOLUNTEER