Arctic weather is a blessing in disguise

Q: “If Seattle winters are so miserable, why do you say they’re ‘good’ for homeless people?”

A: Anything that gets homeless people off the streets – and into the Mission – is “good.” Whether it’s the loneliness they felt this past Christmas. Or the agony that comes from being out in the cold during another miserable Seattle winter.

The streets are no place to live. Drugs, violence – even rats! – pose a constant threat. Homelessness in Seattle isn’t just miserable, it can be downright dangerous!

Last year, several homeless people actually froze to death after falling asleep outside. This winter, we’re praying we can reach others before tragedy strikes again.

You can always tell when the arctic cold begins pounding in our city. Every morning, we’ll see 500-700 people lined up outside the Men’s Shelter, even before the sun comes up.

Homeless people know what’s waiting for them inside. Hot coffee. A warm hug. Nutritious meals. But these only bring temporary relief.

For lasting change, many can benefit from the long-term care we offer. Help with breaking an addiction. Dealing with mental illness. Reconciling family relationships.

These are not problems that can be solved on the streets. And certainly not alone.

They require professional help – the kind of help Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission offers. But before that can happen, they need to come in out of the cold.

That’s one of the reasons our meal program is so important.

If al we did was satisfy their hunger, that would be enough. But many times, these meals get homeless people to sit down and take a good, hard look at their lives. When they’re ready for change, we can be there for them.