Too often shelters around the country are known for being dirty, smelly, unkempt places. Often this is a result of lack of money to dedicate towards support staff and janitorial help. Missions and shelters are often placed in buildings that are aging and difficult to keep up.
Just as often however, it is due to the fact that we secretly believe that homeless clients don’t really care about such things, so why should we. Lack of motivation and lack of resources often puts the facilities into a death spiral that is very difficult to pull up from.
One of the primary goals I set when I first got to the Mission was to build upon our environment of excellence and enhance it with more beauty, design and cleanliness. Under the stewardship of my predicesors we were able to build and rehabilitate many of the buildings that now comprise the Tacoma Rescue Mission, but this isn’t all about new buildings. It’s also about having a strategy to make a statement about how you run every building you have, no matter if it’s new or old. Here’s a few simple priorities that make a big difference.
1. Keep things clean. REALLY Clean. This standard is so often lost in shelter work. With constant turnover and limited space, cleanliness is usually the first thing to go. Hold this standard high and you will begin to see almost instant positive feedback from your clients. Encourage them to be part of the solution.
2. Bring in a designer. Most communities have designers that would love to give you their opinion (pro bono). We’ve been blessed to have bunches of talented designers take on projects large and small to help us bring color and design to our shelters. The old hospital look is out…add some style and color.
3. Invest in art to inspire. The Bible tells us God uses the beauty of nature to draw people to Him. Yet somehow we forget all that when we move indoors and we begin to make everything utilitarian. Don’t do it! Add murals, art, sculpture and design to inspire homeless clients to seek God and find peace within your buildings.
4. Create a peaceful environment. If you were living in your car, under a bridge or in the doorway of a business how badly would you need a place of beauty and solitude to which to retreat? Answer: you’d need it badly. Let’s create shelters and Missions that let the people know how much they are worth and how much they are loved.
Watch this video to see me talk about Beauty and Dignity
Beauty and Dignity from david curry on Vimeo.
Great blog! I love the the way TRM treat people. Just the other day I overheared the kitchen Manager tell a client “prepare the meal like you are cooking for yourself or your family just on a larger scale.” He didnt have the attitude that we are homeless and should just be grateful for whatever they throw in a pot, but show the same type of love you would for your loved ones. “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John13:34-35
“This entire blog is out-standing, it gives me chills, when I read over the stories,
but even more than that, it’s the people behind the story, the people who are making the difference, Praise God for everyone in-volved in making some ones day,
that much brighter, The Tacoma Rescue Mission is a Bright and shining star for countless lives day after day, Thankyou David Curry and staff, for continually doing exactly what Jesus has taught us to do..God Bless you all…..
an unselfish holiday.I like that to many people on holidays worrie about money and they get stressed on the perfect gift.but the holidays should be about careing for others helping one another.being more like jesus in our walk love is the key.Thank u for caring about us in the shelter and new life program it means alot.