Gallagher Group Ltd’s Post

Compassion for the homeless This morning, I had the privilege of helping out at Truro Homeless Action Group for Veggie Friday, alongside the brilliant Nigel Unwin and Sarah Wetherill. It’s always heartening to see familiar faces and be part of something that makes a tangible difference in the community. Every morning, the team of volunteers provide a cooked breakfast to those in need - a small gesture, but one that means so much. Whilst serving today, I had the chance to hear Nigel’s inspiring vision for his CIC, Garden Share - which aims at maintaining volunteered gardens in the community and the plan going forward is to grow enough local food to help feed those in need. His determination to create sustainable change is truly inspiring. At the breakfast club today, we welcomed a mix of clients. One gentleman came in soaking wet, his sleeping bag and clothes drenched, yet he remained in good spirits. Another arrived stressed after liquids spilt in his rucksack, but found a moment of respite with us. Many came into the kitchen to personally thank us, their vulnerability and gratitude shining through. It was humbling to witness. Moments like these remind me that we must approach others with compassion, even when they’re angry or frustrated. Sometimes, their actions reflect the immense challenges they face rather than who they are. A bit of understanding, a kind word, or simply listening can make an enormous difference to someone at their lowest. For most of us, having a roof over our heads is something we take for granted. Let’s practise gratitude for what we have and reserve judgement for those who don’t. You never know the battles someone might be fighting. If we all extend a little more compassion, imagine how much brighter the world could be. #Compassion #Community #Gratitude #TruroHomelessActionGroup #endingfoodpoverty #volunteers

Subject: Urgent Call to Action: Help a Homeless Young Lady Dear Compassionate Community, I come to you today with an urgent plea—a call to our collective humanity. The Circle of Life Inc Transitional Homeless Shelter is on a mission, and we need your support more than ever. Let me share our story: Our Mission: We reach out to the public, businesses, corporations, and foundations to acquire donations that directly impact the lives of those experiencing homelessness. Our immediate goal: $20,000. Every dollar counts. The Young Lady in Need: She’s 25 years old, four months pregnant, and homeless due to domestic violence. Health challenges—ADHD, depression, and Autism—makes her journey even more difficult. What She Needs:                                                        A Job: If you know of any opportunities, please send them our way. Emergency Housing: A house or apartment with at least two bedrooms. Furnishings: Donated items to turn her shelter into a home. The Reality: Yes, there are shelters in the city, but they’re full. The need outweighs the available resources. In Philadelphia alone, over 4,000 people are homeless. It’s a crisis we cannot ignore. Your Call to Action: Pause. Reflect. Imagine yourself in her shoes. Then, consider making a donation. Every contribution matters. How You Can Help: Contact Us: Geraldine Churchwell, Founder & CEO Call leave voicemail or text: 215-954-3799 Email: msgerry@thecircleoflifeinc.org Visit our website: www.thecircleoflifeinc.org Mailing Address for Donations: To drop off donations, please call Yumy Odom at 908-334-1793. Mail checks/money orders to: The Frator Heru Institute 2227 N Broad St, 3rd Fl Phila PA 19132 Donate via PayPal: Visit The Frator Heru Institute. Specify that funds are direct donations for administration/operational expenses for The Circle of Life Inc. Tax-Exempt Donations: Your generosity is IRS tax-exempt under Section 501©(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Blessings Await: Let’s be the silver lining in her storm. Together, we can rewrite her story. With gratitude, Geraldine Churchwell

Why don't more people who are temporarily homeless stay at shelters instead of living on the street? Here's a firsthand account of the challenges faced in shelters: strict schedules, limited freedom, and societal stigma. It's more complex than it seems. #homelessness #shelters #awareness Here's what happened to someone : They wake you up at 5:00 am. You have 30 minutes to shower, shave, brush your teeth, get dressed, and make your bed before they shove you out the door. Then, you stand outside, regardless of the weather, for another 30 minutes, waiting for breakfast. You have 30 minutes to reach the window, get a plate of food, find an empty seat, eat breakfast, and bus the table before they shove you back out the door. It is now 6:30 a.m. Nothing is open. There is nowhere for you to go. There is nothing for you to do. You have no money. There is no transportation. The only thing you own is the clothes on your back. If you go for a walk, someone WILL call the police on you just because they're scared. If you've seen loitering, someone WILL call the police just because they're scared. Lunch is 5 1/2 hours away. If you miss it, you don't get to eat until dinner time. Then you have to make yourself scarce for the next 2 1/2 hours, before the shelter lets you in to get ready for Lights Out at 10:00 pm. You want out of this miserable life. A bedroom all to yourself. To sleep in on weekends. More than one set of clothes. To not have to explain your presence everywhere you go. But no one wants to hire someone whose mailing address is a homeless shelter.

Advocating for Accurate Count and Genuine Support for the Homeless in Midland, TX As we approach the annual Point-in-Time (PIT) count this Thursday, it’s crucial to reflect on the realities facing our homeless community here in Midland, Texas. In 2024, it was reported that there are 138 individuals sleeping on the streets, a number that raises alarm and demands our attention. This figure does not include those sheltered, and while organizations like the Salvation Army do Amazing work to keep those unsheltered numbers low, we must not lose sight of the challenges that remain. As a volunteer with Backyard Midland, an organization dedicated to feeding and supporting the homeless on rhe weekends, I’ve witnessed firsthand the fluctuating numbers in our community. Throughout this year, we’ve seen highs of 42 individuals seeking help and lows of just 12. Recently, we’ve settled at around 20 individuals during the first weeks of January. These numbers are not just statistics; they represent real people with real stories, struggles, and hopes. It’s disheartening to see how some nonprofit organizations may create a sense of emergency to raise funds, often directing the majority of those resources toward staff salaries rather than direct assistance to those in need. This cycle of misrepresentation can make it even harder for genuine organizations to make a difference. Backyard Midland has no paid employees and is run by all local volunteers. That’s why I urge everyone to advocate for a fair and accurate count during this upcoming PIT count. We need to ensure that the numbers reflect the true state of homelessness in Midland, allowing us to allocate resources effectively and make a meaningful impact. Each individual counts, and each story matters. Let’s work together to support our homeless community authentically. By promoting transparency and accuracy, we can help ensure that those out on the streets receive the help they truly deserve. Join me in speaking up for those who need it most! #MidlandTX #HomelessnessAwareness #Advocacy #BackyardMidland

Recently, I came across a story about a group of well-to-do individuals spending a night sleeping outside to "raise awareness" about homelessness. While the intentions may have been good, it’s crucial to recognize the stark difference between an organized "adventure" and the harsh, unrelenting reality faced by homeless children and families every single night. For many, homelessness is not a choice, a moment of reflection, or a controlled experience. It’s the absence of safety, stability, and dignity. A night outdoors for a fundraiser is vastly different from enduring countless nights of uncertainty, hunger, and vulnerability without the guarantee of warmth, food, or security. Instead of simulating the experience, let’s amplify the voices of those who live it. Raising awareness is essential, but it must be paired with humility, action, and a recognition of privilege. Let’s ensure our efforts honor the dignity of those we aim to help, without trivializing their lived experiences. #Homelessness #SocialImpact #EmpathyInAction

🎥 When we create space for connection, amazing things happen. Last week, our son Jordan showed me the power of community in action. For Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week (Nov 17-23), he decided to take the lead on a project close to his heart: creating care packages for our unhoused neighbors in Middle Tennessee. 💛 We had an honest conversation about the challenges—times are tight for many, including our family. But rather than feeling discouraged, Jordan asked, “What can I do to make this happen?” With that spark of determination, he recorded a video to rally our community, inviting them to help make his vision a reality. The response was incredible: ✅ Over $230 in donations ✅ Supplies for 42 care packages ✅ Friends and neighbors from across the area contributing their time, resources, and encouragement Together, we assembled care packages filled with essentials, love, and handwritten notes on November 23rd. Last week, these were delivered to Murfreesboro Cold Patrol, a local organization providing direct support to those in need. This experience was about more than just care packages. It was about: 🌟 Fostering leadership in our youth: When we empower young people to take ownership of projects, they learn to lead with compassion and confidence. 🌟 Building community: By bringing people together for a shared purpose, we strengthen the bonds that make meaningful change possible. 🌟 Cultivating gratitude and action: It's not just about what we have, but how we use it to uplift others. As a parent and a community builder, this project was a reminder that creating opportunities for connection and contribution is one of the greatest investments we can make. If you’re passionate about nurturing the next generation of leaders or want to build stronger communities, let’s connect. There’s so much we can do together to create spaces where good energy thrives. 💡 Check out the full event recap here: https://lnkd.in/efkSm-6N #CommunityBuilding #YouthLeadership #GratitudeInAction #GrowthMindset

Take the leap of a lifetime September 8th 2024 - experience the ultimate adrenalin rush by skydiving to raise money for people facing homelessness in your community. Eight reasons to Skydive: The Incomparable Feeling of Excitement and Thrill - There is nothing as liberating and exciting as throwing yourself off a moving plane. NOTHING Fulfill Your Dream of Flying - every single one of us has one point or another dreamt of being able to fly. Well, this is your chance. The Stunning View -Skydiving gives you the perfect opportunity to enjoy the scenery from a unique vantage point- from up in the sky! The Feeling of Letting Go - Not only is it empowering, but it also feels pretty good to just let go. The Feeling of Conquering Your Fears - There is no greater feeling than being able to overcome and conquer your fears, I promise you will feel empowered and accomplished after. Epic Photos as Proof of Your Madness - What better way to prove your braveness than by having an epic moment captured on camera? Be warned though that almost no one looks great when skydiving. Bragging Rights - Earn endless bragging rights and street cred amongst your friends and family by taking the big leap. As soon as you muster up the courage to skydive, you instantly get bumped up the cool list. Helping your community – You’ll be raising money to support those in your community facing homelessness. A Little about the jump itself: The military grade tandem skydive takes place at the Netheravon Airfields, Salisbury - the perfect location to take in stunning views as you jump from 13,000ft. The highly trained staff will make you feel at ease as they guide you through the training and your jump. You’ll be joined by a other people in your local community who are just as brave and mad as you are, making for a fun and thrilling day! Registration is just £50, so sign-up and start fundraising today! - https://lnkd.in/eeQVgZjV Contact Sophie at fundraising@turning-tides.org.uk for more information or visit www.turning-tides.org.uk

This #GivingTuesday, it's crucial to acknowledge that the issue of homelessness persists, and our current approach is not working. Please consider supporting The Man/Kind Initiative with a tax-deductible donation to prevent individuals from experiencing homelessness. Your donation will provide food for at-risk children, homeless #veterans, the elderly who are facing homelessness and other #foodinsecure families at https://lnkd.in/gitcUgyB.

I recently had the opportunity to be part of the organizing crew for a sleep-out as part of the Anglicare Ambassadors program, raising awareness and support for homelessness. We spent the night on a rooftop, waking up at 3 AM after a simple dinner of soup and bread. As part of the experience, we ran an interactive game that imitated the struggles homeless people face—scrambling for food and basic resources. It was eye-opening, but it also reinforced a critical point. While these events are powerful for raising awareness, they also serve as a reminder that we need to go further. Awareness is important, but without real, direct action, it falls short of creating the meaningful change that’s desperately needed. Sleeping out on a roof, with just a sleeping bag, may give us a small glimpse into the harsh reality of homelessness, but it’s not enough. We need more sustained, impactful efforts to address the root causes and truly make a difference in the lives of those experiencing homelessness. I’ve joined this program to contribute to those efforts and hope to see more initiatives that go beyond awareness—ones that truly impact our communities for the better. #HomelessnessAwareness #DirectImpact #AnglicareAmbassadors #CommunitySupport #MakingADifference #CharityWork #EndHomelessness #SocialChange #ActionForGood