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"At the end of life we will not be judged by how many diplomas we have received, how much money we have made, how many great things we have done. We will be judged by 'I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat, I was naked and you clothed me. I was homeless, and you took me in.' Hungry not only for bread -- but hungry for love. Naked not only for clothing -- but naked of human dignity and respect. Homeless not only for want of a home of bricks -- but homeless because of rejection."
~
Mother Theresa
El Paso: Mountain desert city, home of legends of the Wild West, immortalized in song for deeds long past……and carries on the tradition of lending a helping hand to neighbors down on their luck by organizing one of the most cohesive coalitions of organizations that serve homeless persons in the state of Texas. El Paso is a model of how a community can take a little, share a lot and make the outcome larger than the input.
The Opportunity Center for the Homeless is one example of the type of collaboration that is typical of El Paso's Coalition for the Homeless. The Opportunity Center offers many services for the homeless including an emergency shelter, educational services, employment services, housing placement, veterans outreach and reintegration, transportation, meals from a commercial kitchen, medical clinic, substance abuse counseling, mental health counseling, showers, a place to store personal belongings, and a place to receive phone calls and mail. Anyone may stay there, as long as they are not a threat to any other resident or staff. This type of wraparound services is the most effective and efficient way to provide help and healing to homeless persons.
Recently, the a 23 member task force appointed by the El Paso Mayor, gathered for a series of meetings, culminating in "Border Solutions," El Paso's comprehensive plan to end chronic homelessness in 10 years. The plan outlines 27 goals to eliminate chronic homelessness. The El Paso plan emphasizes the need for permanent supportive housing as a first step in resolving the needs of the vulnerable chronically homeless population.
The El Paso Coalition for the Homeless is certainly on the right path to end, not only chronic homelessness, but all homelessness, by utilizing a holistic approach to the issues surrounding those who are homeless and applying that approach to everyone that needs their help.
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