Thread by @nejsnave

if you read anything i have posted today PLEASE read this. we need ppl in cities across Canada helping coordinate outreach and response to folks outside. if you can help in your city - here's how you can make a huge difference. 🧵

https://twitter.com/nejsnave/status/1482736893250920457

If there is a hotel or motel in your city/town, find out how many rooms are available. if you do not have one or there is none go to a mosque, synagogue or church and ask if they will take people in.

(Motels and hotels will not really donate rooms, so in this case you will need to raise funds. We can help with this. Many will ask for a credit card guarantee too. This can be handled by donors - ask for a credit card authorization form)

Find out where ppl who do not have housing go in your city/town. If you don't know where, parks and other public places will be most popular, or coffee shops, bus terminals, other congregation points. Go there. Ask if ppl need help/shelter. (Have that arranged b4 you go out.)

Go out with someone else wherever possible. One of you may have to accompany ppl inside. Arrange taxis or transport - ppl will often have lots of stuff. Take cash. Companies like @becktaxi sometimes make it possible to pay by PayPal/cc but they are the exception.

If ppl have been outside for a long time this may be a huge adjustment for them. Be prepared for a lot of anxiety and reluctance. But (hopefully) obviously do not force anyone or push them. Make it clear how long they can stay. Important to manage expectations.

ABOVE ALL LISTEN. Sometimes it is easy to get caught up in a mission. Be kind. As hard + scary as this may be for you, much much harder on them. Take food, hand warmers, coats, socks, with you if poss to give out if ppl do not want to go inside. This also can save life + limb.

YOU can help save someone's life or feet or sanity. Yes, YOU. Please consider this. Thank you for that, and for reading. ❤️❤️❤️

(and fyi i have completely failed at doing all these things well many MANY times over the past few years. it's totally ok not to be perfect. it's totally ok if no one wants to go inside. The important thing is making the effort. The important thing is the 💙❤️💙.)