Homelessness, COVID, and kindness

“There’s never been a harder time to be homeless.” This observation by Lawrence Anokye, a homeless outreach worker for The Guidance Center of Westchester (TGCW), underscores the need for resources and support for Westchester’s homeless and housing insecure population, especially in the era of COVID-19.

Two New Rochelle women, Jennie McFarland and Joan Clarke, recognized this and found a way to help. Together, they organized a drive for outdoor winter supplies - hats, scarves, gloves, blankets - for TGCW’s homeless and community outreach programs. Confirmation candidates from Saints John & Paul School then assembled the donations into care packages, which also included notes from students so that the homeless individuals who receive them know that someone is thinking about them. The group used cash donations to buy small denomination gift cards to Dunkin Donuts, which outreach workers like Mr. Anokye can use to help build trust with the homeless they encounter in the community.

"Joan and I were happy to have the opportunity to help TGCW, and we were truly inspired by the generosity of our friends and families," says Mrs. McFarland. "It was so nice to see so many step up to help the homeless struggling in our community, even during these very trying COVID times."

Director of Care Management and Community Outreach Camille Webb explains some of the additional challenges facing the homeless community this year. “During the winter, shelters should be a safe haven for many, a warm place to stay out of the cold; however, due to his confined spacing, its environment is an easy facilitator to spread the infection. Our folks also are at higher risk, due to underlying medical issues, and they are often disengaged from proper medical care that would have allowed them to effectively manage those symptoms. This leaves them more vulnerable. They are afraid of the virus. They are afraid of dying, so instead of going to shelter, they continue to remain on the streets.”

Mr. Anoyke confirms that several of his regular contacts developed COVID and feel it was from being at a shelter. “There is never a never a good time to be homeless, but right now there are too many problematic dynamics - lots coming together which makes it harder for the homeless to find housing or shelter where they feel safe.”

Many thanks Mrs. McFarland, Mrs. Clarke, and the SJP students for not only caring about those living on the streets, but for also taking action to help.

Donate to support TGCW's work here. If you would like to organize a drive, contact us.