In this, the third week of Lent, we continue to focus our thoughts on the theme of home and homelessness. This week in the Bishop’s Lent Call we are focusing on Glass Door in Kingston.
Glass Door has been running emergency winter night shelters in west and southwest London since 1999, in partnership with 12 churches from Southwark. When the pandemic forced the project to close its shelters, volunteers were determined to keep helping those in need. For the past two winters, Glass Door has instead provided rooms in hostel-type accommodation. Despite all the difficulties the volunteers have faced in keeping their services running, in 2020 Glass Door was able to support 1,645 individuals, an amazing 317 of whom moved into longer-term housing.
Patricia Cazenave, a senior caseworker at Glass Door, describes herself as a migrant who sees London as the home she has chosen. “I feel safe, supported, I have my own community with me,” she says. Yet, for many people who are street homeless, loneliness and a loss of belonging are huge problems. Here, Patricia talks about how Glass Door’s volunteers foster a sense of home in the project’s guests.
How to help
During this coming week, please think and pray about the people of Croydon, both those who are homeless or living in insecure accommodation and those who are working to help them. Download this week’s Project Sheet to find out more about the projects we are supporting and please consider giving to the Lent Call to help fund their work. You can find details of how to donate at: southwark.anglican.org/news-events/events/lent-call/how-to-give
We have created a series of Lenten Reflections based around the readings for each week. You can download these, and Worship Sheets aimed at those working with children and young people, from our Resources page: southwark.anglican.org/news-events/events/lent-call/resources
Whatever you feel you can do, please pray for God’s justice and equality for all, and remember all those who will be helped by the Bishop’s Lent Call projects this year, that they might find shelter, security and a place to call home. Thank you.
