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We were honored to be one of the sponsors at “A Night in a Car” to raise awareness for homelessness in the Aberdeen community. Sister Kathleen Bierne and Sister Myra Remily joined over 100 people who spent the night in their vehicles on April 26 and raised over $17,000. “A Night in a Car” was a fundraiser that was sponsored by Leadership Aberdeen to raise funds for the Journey Home. The Journey Home offers temporary emergency shelter and long-term housing for those in need and includes people experiencing homelessness and poverty, addiction, depression and mental illness. According to their Mission statement they are a “Supportive housing and assistance based on the love and guidance of Jesus Christ.” For more information on the Journey Home you can find them on Facebook @journeyhomesd or http://www.journeyhomesd.org
Reflection by Sister Myra Remily
I spent a night in a car so other don’t have to.
This experience was one of coming to a deeper realization that sleeping in a car as a way of life is another level of poverty that many of us do not see or recognize that it truly exists in our Aberdeen area.
The lack of space, the uncomfortableness of a lumpy car seat, not enough blankets for warmth, no place to shower or clean up and no privacy or security. So many of these comforts in a home is taken for granted.
This project was a cause worth experiencing for my understanding and empathy for those who for one reason or another have no place to sleep except a car, if they have one.
Reflection by Sister Kathleen Bierne
When Leadership Aberdeen chose the Aberdeen homeless shelter, Journey Home, as their project, we knew we wanted to support the cause. Initially we didn’t know that the project was designed to raise money by participants spending a night sleeping in their car! However, Sister Myra and I decided to give it a try ~ the cause was right, our Mission Development Office became a sponsor and we gathered our pillows and blankets. The evening started with games, a food truck, music and fire pits. Several leaders gave both sobering and inspiring talks about the needs of the homeless and how Journey Home helps with housing, with budgeting, and transition to a job when that is possible.
What did I learn? I learned that even a night of 45-50 degree weather can be chilly in a car, that having a clean bathroom available at the police station was a luxury most who have to sleep in their car (or a box or under a bridge, etc.) don’t have, nor the prospect of a hot shower when night moves into another day. We both highly recommend this or a similar experience in getting a bit firmer grasp on the conditions under which so many of our neighbors are living.