Bell Socialization

Linda Haley has been the Bell Family Shelter program coordinator since May, 2010.

In her role at York County’s 30-day emergency shelter for homeless families, Linda Haley sees people from many walks of life. Each one has come up against hardship that brings them to this place, looking for a safe haven and a chance to regroup.

Recently, Linda and I sat down to talk about what she sees every day, how she feels about her job and what suggestions she has for people in the community who’d like to get involved.

Linda says . . .

In the past year and a half, I’ve discovered that most days it isn’t so much about what I have to teach but what I have to learn.   And in order to offer the supports a person or a family needs to deal with the stumbling blocks they’re encountering, it takes a team effort.  Everybody who works here at Bell Family Shelter brings their own experience and expertise.  It’s working together that makes a difference.

I see things every day that are simply amazing. Sometimes, after days and even weeks of a family being in the Shelter, there are these breakthroughs. A parent is talking with you and you can see a switch has been flipped and a light went on.  They begin to understand that the work before them will be hard but that they can do it and you can see they’re ready to get to it.

People who come to our door are scared and wounded.  To get by, they’ve had to protect their hearts. It takes time to learn to trust and to get into a mindset to not give up and be open to receiving.  I continue to grow, too, from doing this work, this service. There are constant reminders not to wallow in self pity, to look for the lessons, and to know that whatever one’s experiences, you get to be the one to decide to move forward from a different place, in a different direction.

Can we help everybody transition from the Shelter into safe, independent living situations? Unfortunately, no. The answer to that question is a hard one to hear, but there are definitely some people whose struggle takes longer than 30 days to remedy. Some require additional safety nets in the community to help them along their path to affordable independent housing. Bell is a part of larger efforts to not only help during crisis situations, but also to find solutions to homelessness in York County.

I would suggest if people are looking for ways to get involved in the community and make a positive impact, that they consider reaching out to Bell Family Shelter.  There are as many ways to help as there are people who want to help.  Actually, I think it’s not necessarily what you do; it’s how you do it. It’s about being genuine with your offering.