Depaul Ukraine Launches Odessa Appeal

The start of this year saw Depaul Ukraine open its ground breaking pilot Day Centre in Odessa. The Day Centre, the first of its kind in Odessa, allows Depaul Ukraine to greatly expand and improve upon the level of assistance which it is able to provide for the city's homeless population.  To date Depaul has been operating a basic outreach service from a converted mobile bus which tours key locations around the city so the new day centre is a welcome addition for clients..

For the first time clients have complete privacy when they receive medical help and they can get a shower, haircut and a clean change of clothes all under one roof – this is vitally important for the homeless in Odessa where there are no free public showers.  It’s also a chance to talk privately with trained Depaul staff who are on hand to offer assistance, to listen and to take an interest in their lives.  The experience gives clients an immediate boost to their self-esteem and provides a sense of renewed dignity and the beginnings of belief that someone cares and wants to help.

For Kelli McGee, Managing Director of Depaul Ukraine, the importance of access to these facilities can not be over stated,

 "When a client is well fed, clean and warm, they can relax. They are able to sit across the table like a human being and make a plan to deal with their situation”. 

Since opening the centre has worked with over 1,300 individual homeless people providing them with access to basic medical care, help with referral to other service providers for specific needs, and support with renewing identity documents vital to secure employment and welfare.

By providing a warm, safe and supportive environment the Day Centre allows Depaul Ukraine to make an effective assessment of each individual’s needs to help people on their journey out of homelessness. The first step in this process is helping people to feel better about themselves, a shower, clean clothes and a warm protective pair of shoes after months on the street can make an immediate difference to someone’s outlook and how they view themselves - enabling them to begin to feel in a better position to tackle the bigger challenges that they may be facing in their lives.

We get many clothes items donated but we desperately need, underwear, shoes and towels – essential items that can also help to restore people’s sense of dignity. These basic items are in short supply as they are unlikely to be donated, or we don’t have appropriate sizes and have to source them separately.

  

Please help us by making a donation - just a small amount* can make a big impact on someone’s life:

• $ 2  – will pay for a clean pair of underwear and socks
• $ 8  – will provide clean towels for clients for a week
• $ 10  – will replace a worn out pair of shoes
• $ 20 – will pay for a pair of boots capable of surviving the harsh temperatures

Please make a donation today and support someone who is homeless.

* the amounts listed are based on the current exchange rate for purchasing items in Ukraine