VOLUNTEERS CARE FOR SICK HOMELESS

[Guest guest]

(http://www.reprintbuyer.com/mags/knightridder/reprints.html)

Here is a potentially scary, sad story, indicative of the lack of

understanding of the matter. This gentleman gave up his corporate job to

dedicate his

time to helping the homeless after surgery. A very noble endeavor. But,

what they did was renovate a terribly moldie building to bring the sick,

homeless to for them to recuperate. Did anybody explain to them about

susceptibility to secondary fungal infections after surgery and how prevalent

this problem

is within hospitals? Most likely not. I wonder if they were able to get all

of the mold problem out of this building. If not, they may actually be

harming the people that they have worked so hard to help.

Sharon

VOLUNTEERS CARE FOR SICK HOMELESS

Where there's hope and healing

(and possibly great potential for secondary infections, yikes!)

DIANA NI

_dni@..._ (mailto:dni@...)

Tom Holmes gave his life a complete makeover for a house -- Samaritan House.

A s resident, Holmes had worked in banking for 27 years and as a

contracted executive recruiter for five more. Then in July 2004, while

volunteering at the Charlotte Urban Ministries Center, he met two women with an

idea

that moved him to abandon the corporate world.

The women -- Ruth Woodend and Freda Schlaman -- dreamed of building a 24-hour

shelter to serve homeless people who have been discharged from a hospital or

emergency room.

The need for such an establishment was critical in Mecklenburg County. Most

shelters will not take in individuals who have infectious diseases or open

wounds or are in need of special medical attention, Holmes said.

But Holmes, Woodend and Schlaman quickly discovered how tough it would be to

realize their dream.

In December 2004, they found a dilapidated redbrick house built in 1929 that

fit their minimal budget. Holmes said walls were indiscernible beneath thick

black mold, hinting at the building's three-year-long abandonment. He also

said sections of the wooden dining room floor were warped into 4-inch-high

mounds, and the entire floor had rotted away in the den.

The three spent months repairing the damage. On March 1, 2005, they opened

Samaritan House, a Healing Haven for People who are Homeless.

Holmes, now 52, became executive director that fall, taking charge of the

nonprofit facility. The house is supported by donations from faith

organizations, several community grants and individual donations.

Since then, Samaritan House has opened its doors every day, and its

volunteers have opened their arms to 116 clients.

At any time, up to eight clients stay in the shelter's four bedrooms. All are

referred by hospitals or emergency rooms.

Volunteers perform the bulk of work in the shelter, working four-hour or

overnight shifts cleaning, doing the laundry and driving clients to doctor

appointments, pharmacies and social services. An in-house cook prepares meals

during the week, and volunteers chip in as chefs on weekends.

The demand for more volunteers is great.

" It's always a challenge to find people because we don't close, and we always

have to have someone here, " Holmes said.

Despite the challenges, volunteers pride themselves on the improvements in

those they care for, Holmes said. During its first year, only 14 of the

shelter's 89 clients returned to the streets, Holmes said.

" It's just a loving, caring home for these people, and because of the care

they get there, the majority of them do not want to go back to the street, "

said Betty Calvert, who has volunteered at Samaritan House since its opening.

Calvert and Holmes shared the stories of two of the home's current clients.

Since September 2005, Maxine , a breast cancer patient, has stayed in

the only single room. Volunteers drive to chemotherapy sessions, and

she will continue to live at the house during radiation therapy.

" If it weren't for this house, she'd be out on the street, " Holmes said.

Another client, Yip Lau, was hit by an 18-wheeler while attempting to cross

Independence Boulevard. Lau wears a neck brace and a cast on his left arm.

For the 40 volunteers, the visible healing taking place in the facility is

the greatest payment of all.

" Never in my 27 years in banking have I seen the results that I have seen in

one year of working here, " Holmes said. " In the corporate world, we were

never rewarded like that. "

Interested in Helping Out?

For information on becoming a volunteer or how to donate to Samaritan House,

call Tom Holmes at 704-527-1130 or e-mail: _tholmes@..._

(mailto:tholmes@...) .

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