On two separate occasions our group was able to learn about Homelessness through service in Northern Ireland. We met with a representative from Homeless Aware, Paul, and discussed the impacts of homelessness in the city. We met on chilly evenings after 9pm and walked throughout pathways and sidewalks where various people are known to stay for the evening.
A significant impact for our group was the individual relationships that were established between Homeless Aware organization and the people that we met who were sleeping on the streets. Our representative from Homeless Aware, Paul, had a personal relationship with each homeless individual that we came upon and sparked up a conversation quickly with them. Aside from speaking with individuals we also offered folks warm tea, coffee, and sandwiches that we prepared earlier in the day.
As we toured through the city, our students learned the implications of “sleeping rough” or sleeping on the streets. Paul explained to us that folks who are consistently on the streets have a high mortality rate than those individuals who are able to stay in hostels or find shelter elsewhere.
Each group of our students were able to meet a special individual, Catherine Kenny, when we walked through the city in the evenings and again when we visited the Welcome Center (a homeless shelter). We found her to be kind, humorous, and caring. As we walked away, Paul informed us that if Catherine wasn’t off the streets soon, she may pass away. Unfortunately, shortly after returning back to the United States, our students learned that Catherine passed away in a doorway on March 20th. Our deepest condolences go out to her family during this tough time. It was truly an honor to meet Catherine before she passed away.
To learn more about Catherine, please feel free to visit BBC news for further information.
Additional coverage of homelessness and Catherine’s passing was reported on the Belfast Telegraph.
Here’s a podcast of an interview with Catherine’s sister.