Stories from the Basement
Help and Outreach Point of Entry, Inc.
by
Donna Clark RN, Director
We here at H.O.P.E., Inc. look forward to Tuesdays and Thursdays when we come to the church and serve the clients who see us. The major needs remain birth certificates and dental care but, the unspoken needs are the desire to feel like part of something. The homeless men and women often sit in the back of the room and doze or sleep for as long as we let them. It is safe here and they can close their eyes and actually fall asleep. It’s not unusual that we are seeing an increase in people from out of this area as the weather warms and it becomes easier to travel to new places. Most of the new people are homeless not due to drugs or issues related to the law; they are homeless because of the lack of affordable housing and unskilled work. The average level of education is about 10th grade and jobs in Ocean City seem attractive. Unfortunately, housing is even more expensive there so they find places close to Ocean City to live. There appear, however, to be more pan handlers showing up at traffic lights and these are usually known to the law enforcement community. As we inquire about them to see if we can help, we learn most are supporting drug issues and are not interested in making the changes needed to live a better life. That’s their choice; don’t support them. We have repeated over the years; do not give money to panhandlers! Give them food or information. If they want to change they will find a way to our office and we will help.
2 Corinthians 8: 6-15
H.O.P.E. 