Homeless finding their voice in election

Tom Jones, director of the homeless shelter, 800 W California, said the mission joined other such efforts in conjunction with National Homeless and Low Voter Registration Week activities held across the country in recent days.

“So many times in their mind the homeless don’t think they’re eligible,” Jones said. “They sometimes feel bad with the way things have happened in their life, that they’re not important. This is just one of the ways that we remind them that they count and they have a voice.”

Shelter spokeswoman Tiffany Webb said City Rescue Mission held a registration drive in September and 68 people registered to vote.  She said leaders had asked people attending a chapel service if they had voted in the last presidential election. When only a few people raised their hand, the registration drive was organized.

“This helps raise awareness that they are viable citizens,” Jones said. “Just because their address is City Rescue Mission does not mean their voices don’t matter and that their vote is not important.” 

(PHOTO BY PAUL HELLSTERN/THE OKLAHOMAN: Jennifer Gooden, program coordinator with the Homeless Alliance, and Kim Woods, homeless services coordinator with Catholic Charities, assist Gary Havard as he registers to vote at the City Rescue Mission in Oklahoma City on Thursday.)

Carla Hinton

Religion Editor