The Atwood
Emergency Shelter has many needs. Homeless families arrive with little
but the clothes on their backs. A homeless family experiences extreme
stress, loss of self-esteem, hopelessness and despair. Parents are
preoccupied with the problems related to homelessness (seeking
employment, arranging transportation and child care, securing
affordable housing, working toward financial stability, and dealing
with the emotional and social repercussions of homelessness.) It
severely impairs their ability to meet the emotional and social needs
of their children. Conversely, children in homeless shelters suffer
severe emotional pain and loss. They are ashamed of their situation
and fear being found out and labeled a "shelter kid." Therefore, they
often become withdrawn, anxious, bored and depressed.
The
goal of the Atwood Shelter Children's Program is to minimize the
negative impact of homelessness by probiding recreational and
educational activities for the children living at the Atwoon Shelter.
Homeless children need to feel competent and in control of some areas
of their lives. Play is particularly important to counterbalance the
stress of homelessness. However, children typically have no tome or
place for play when they are living at shelters. Peer friendships need
to be actively encouraged. Approprate social interactions with adults
(especially males, as many families are single-parent, female head of
household) are imperitive to the children's healthy development.
Each
month, volunteers from the Longmont Care Group of the Boulder Mennonite
Church organize and solicit donations for a special outing for the
children staying at the Shelter. The volunteers also ensure that each
shild has a few of their own books and toys.
