Sunday, July 24, 2011

Update - First Six Months of 2011 - and a look back over two years!

Each time a list of figures is tabulated, a stark reality affects all of us at this charity. When I am using the word "people" ... these are "individuals" who would be adversely affected if this service was not provided. 589 individuals who stayed in 1210 overnight rooms in just over two years were secured with shelter because of this charity and every one of you who assisted with your contributions.

Let's look at it together:

From January - June 2011 (6 months)     165 people were lodged in 527 overnight rooms.
For July 2011 (first 20 days) another         26 people were lodged in   15 overnight rooms.
Therefore, the total for 2011 to date:      191 people were lodged in 542 overnight rooms.

How does the first 6.5 months of 2011 compare to the entire year of 2010?

For year 2010 (Jan- Dec 12 months)        259 people were lodged in 536 overnight rooms.

Return with me to 2009, when IHS began actively backing the UVA Medical Center social work staff when no other source was available. In other words for whatever reason there was either no room or a restriction for entry into UVA Hospitality House (HH),  and a hotel room was needed for overflow traffic, or someone needed assistance for staying in a HH room. Also, there were numerous assists when Ronald McDonald House (RMH) arrivals came too early and faced a full house, and no funds for a few days as they waited for an RMH opening.

For year 2009 (from June - Dec 7 months) 139 people were lodged in 132 overnight rooms.

Notice any trends over this two year span of time?

It's easy to spot.  The number of individuals and the number of overnight rooms has increased in these cycles. The number of rooms in the first six and a half months of 2011 has already exceeded the entire year of 2010. More under-funded people are coming for health care and to provide temporary comfort for loved ones with deadly conditions.

We do not have to be creative. These individuals all have names and are personally known by social workers seeking to assist them maneuver through the system at a critical juncture in their lives or the lives of their most precious possession ... a loved one.

I stared at this page for some time and reflected on so many instances of sadness. The stories are many, and they do not disappear in our thoughts once shelter and food are provided. Some names reappear on the request list. They must return for cancer treatment, and noticeably with more frequency over time. They are coming to THE MEDICAL CENTER to secure a chance for a more abundant and healthy existence.

There must remain community efforts to insure that immediate response is available to those already plagued by life's unrelenting challenges.  This charity is one of those efforts. Thank you for whatever you are doing to make a difference to our efforts and for other routes to relieve the suffering. Remember - you do not have to know someone to be a friend.

With Love ... T. Wade

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