I remember the things I saw at SOME, So Others Might Eat. It is a place where homeless people can get fresh food, take a shower and get new outfits. I was surprised at the way how homeless people are treated there. 'Respect','Dignity' were always brought up by the staff there when he was talking about SOME's way to its customers. They have two dining rooms with service information around the wall, one is for males and the other is specially open for females and children. Both of them are comfortable and clean. They even have a piano in the main dining room. By just looking at the pictures I took there, it's really hard to tell that it's a place for homeless people. In addition, they charge 30% of the homeless person's monthly income as the rent of his/her apartment. Since people have different jobs with various income, it's impossible to make them pay the same rent. By using this way, it makes homeless people to work and provide them with affordable housing at the same time.
I found that because there are so many NPOs here in the U.S, government's burden of dealing with homeless issue becomes lighter. I really want to bring this kind of orgs back to China. There are homeless people everywhere in China, but government has little influence on solving their problems. Eventually, we need some local orgs to give them supports. I want to work with private donors and do some advocacy jobs in order to make people aware with this issue.
I will continue to be a volunteer in the places that need me. I feel good when I do something for others since I have already got too many privileges from our society.
--Angela Zhou
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