Harvest House took part of a recent 3-day Mobile Safety Net Resource Fair in South Buffalo, NY. These resource fairs are great events because they bring a variety of service providers to one building.
It can be frustrating to try to solve a problem when you are referred to different offices repeatedly. I once spoke with a woman who had been referred to our dental clinic only to find that it wasn't open that day; when she was met with this roadblock, she proclaimed, "I'm just going to pull out the tooth myself!" When someone is pushed to his or her limit, bad decisions are easy to make.
The safety net event gives the individual the chance to stay in one place while having his or her questions addressed. Representatives providing housing assistance, legal assistance, health care assistance, food assistance were in attendance.
Harvest House strives to address as many needs as possible under one roof. However, this may still not be enough. Even with multiple services in one building, people seem to walk around with blinders on. Living in the present has its disadvantages. I spoke with men and women who would respond to me, saying, "well I don't need that right now." Certainly that is true. How about your friends? family? How about in a few years? No one is impervious to the economy, nor harm. No one expects to be homeless, hungry, sick, uninsured, or uneducated. But, it happens every day. Do some research, keep your ears open, don't plan on perfection. Plan for these troubled times, it can stop you from trying to pull out your own tooth.
Check out community services available in Erie County, NY at: http://211wny.org/Erie-County/Service-Category-List/
"Is the clinic open?" So begins a conversation between a new visitor and the receptionist at New Hope Education Center. "Sorry, not now .... but it will open this evening, and here's how it works". "So what it this??" they inquire. "This is a school and here is a list of all the courses that are offered" the receptionist continues. "REALLY? .... How do I get in?" And so begins a promising new relationship with a client and New Hope Education ... a significant part of the Harvest House Ministry Center on Jefferson Ave. More people ought to know ... and as long as they ask the questions and the receptionists are welcoming and informative ... more people will know.
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