Shelter for Russian-speaking homeless opened in New York

St. John Give Hope Foundation with support of Patriarchal Parish of Russian Orthodox Church and American Orthodox Church has opened a shelter for homeless people in New York, the website of Coordinating Council of Organizations of Russian Compatriots in USA advises. The shelter premises were sanctified by hegumen of St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Cathedral Nikodim. The priest has regretfully noted that there are Russians among homeless people of New York, especially in Brighton Beach and Coney Island. They do not have medical insurance and some of them are illegals in US, as their visas expired much time ago. People are afraid of coming to the authorities or rehabilitation institutions and sometimes they die right on the streets.

Hegumen Nikodim has added that Russian community has just started to recover and, bearing in mind the fact that other New York communities are supporting their own citizens first of all, the priority of the shelter is on Russian-speaking homeless people so far.

The priest has remarked that many unemployed people come to the shelter who need some time until they find a new job as well as our compatriots come wishing to return to Russia. Employees of the shelter are trying to render personal and targeted aid.

The representative of St John Give Hope Foundation established in 2015 Julia Manina has noted that the new shelter helped to resolve many routine questions connected to accommodation of homeless people, however, there are many issues left unattended. She has added that they need volunteers and has expressed hope that Russian compatriots will render financial help to the shelter and the foundation more often.

Russkiy Mir