 Saint Boniface’s Church in the Tenderloin district of San Francisco opens its doors from 6:30 AM to 2:00 PM to the homeless, allowing them to use the last 30 pews of the church to either sleep, eat, or pray. By mid-morning, half the homeless crowd is already asleep. Others lie staring at the ceiling, and a few are doing the things they can't while wandering all night washing up in the church restroom, applying makeup, eating a sandwich in peace. Here, there are half-dozen volunteers, led by Gubbio Project Director Shelly Roder. Some give haircuts in the back. Some give massages. Others look up referrals, directing about 20 people a day to outside counselors for needle exchange, housing, drug rehab. And some just keep an eye out for squabbles or outbursts, quelling them with a loving hug or a few quiet words. One of the ladies inside said, "I had a career once, I had a life, and now I'm on the street and nobody gives a damn about me -- except this place," Denyce. She looked like she had just come back from war. The reverend of the church was the creator of this project and came up with the idea after he saw the growing number of desperate people on the streets. This is a great example of a place where wandering souls of San Francisco experience serenity and peace. It is a place that should inspire the members of our community to stand up and help those in need. |
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