We Don’t Have to Keep Kindness at a Distance

At the beginning of the global pandemic, billions around the world stopped going out to curb the spread of the coronavirus. We settled into the comfort of our homes to patiently, painfully wait until it was safe to go out again. But what about those who didn’t have a home to? Homeless people were among those hit hardest by the pandemic. With libraries and other public places closed, people lost the opportunity to cool off from the heat and shelter from the cold. These individuals are also much more susceptible to illnesses due to the conditions they are forced to live in. Covid-19 has the potential to be detrimental to a homeless person, especially one that has developed underlying health issues due to their circumstances. Here in Nashville, countless teens are on their own and without a home, and the global pandemic has only made their situation worse. School was shut down, restaurants were closed, and all the places that were lifelines to these kids living on the streets were shut up tight. It’s sickening to see how much homeless people, teens in particular, suffered during these tumultuous times.

At Threads of Care, we are committed to seeing homeless teens gain access to better opportunities, one piece of clothing at a time. The effects of this pandemic are numerous, but so are the people willing to turn around the lives of others who have suffered most. This aspect of Threads of Care is one of the reasons why I joined – the people here are intentional about sharing compassion with other people in any way possible. Whether that is fundraising, volunteering, hosting a drive, or advocating, we do whatever we can to intentionally spread kindness through our actions and deeds. During this season of trial and hardship, we all have an opportunity to show love to others, whether it is a neighbor, a family member, or for us at Threads of Care, a homeless teen. Even as we continue to socially distance ourselves from each other, we don’t have to keep our kindness at a distance – instead, we have the chance to better the lives of others when we all need it most.