For homeless young people, a mobile phone is not an unnecessary extravagance. Just as for homed people, phones are vital to connect with contacts through calls and texts, and to search for information on the internet. The difference for homeless people is that a phone call might find them a place to sleep for the night, and the information they access might provide the location of their next meal. Having a phone can enable them to blend in at a railway station or a fast food outlet where they can stay warm during freezing weather. Having a contact number can enable them to stay in contact with case workers or support services, search for employment vacancies and apply for jobs.
The outlay on a second hand or out-dated phone is reasonably affordable, and the majority of young homeless people who use support services at Naděje’s day center near Prague’s Hlavní nádraží, even those who sleep rough and are the most vulnerable, have a phone. The challenge is in keeping their phone maintained, topped up and charged.
The clients of this Naděje day center are mostly young men under the age of 26, most of whom have grown up in dysfunctional families or children’s homes. They usually sleep in night shelters for homeless people or live in squats. Often they are surviving for days and nights on the street, even during cold weather. Every client undergoes an interview with a social worker where goals are set (most often relating to job search, housing search, applying for a new ID card, assistance with dealing with employment agencies/offices, and also the fight against addiction to alcohol or drugs if this is an issue). If a client does not take any steps to improve his situation, Naděje can stop the service, but they are always trying to solve problems other ways, and to motivate them. During the year Naděje also organizes a number of recreational activities such as short trips, self-empowerment workshops or participation in theater activities.
IWAP has been regularly bringing sandwiches and other food, as well as socks and warm clothes, for the clients of Naděje’s day center for a number of years. During this festive season, we would like to reach out and donate something else that will make a difference. IWAP will partner with Naděje to provide practical gift packs for their clients which will include sim cards, power banks and headphones. Each gift package will cost 400 CZK, and we hope to buy as many as possible.
To join in this worthwhile initiative, please donate 400 CZK (or multiples!) to IWAP’s Charity Account. Cash donations can be given at an IWAP newcomers lunch, general meeting, or via IWAP Board members. You can also make a bank transfer (noting that the donation is for Naděje) to account number: 4561765001/5500. The whole 100% of the money raised for this initiative will be directed to purchase of these phone gift packs.
