WHO LIVES IN HOMELESS SHELTERS? by Karl L. Sandwell-Weiss, A Shelter Volunteer Homeless people are not the drug addicted derelicts that many people picture. Over 40% have jobs. The jobs just don't pay enough to get together a deposit for an apartment. If required, they attend 12 step programs or they must leave the shelter. There are many women with children, divorced or abandoned by their husbands. In two-parent families, one of the parents may have lost a job because the shop or business closed down. With only one income, it is impossible to live in this area if the wage earner is working at the minimum wage level. People who don't have jobs are required to look for one or they can't stay in the shelter. Once they are working, their pay is turned over to the shelter and they are given a small amount to buy personal items. The rest is kept in an account for them until they have enough to make a deposit on a house or apartment. They are required to help clean the shelter while they live there. They are subject to random drug tests, and if they fail, they move on - there are lots of others who need shelter. If you have a favorite charity, then please donate to it. If not, please consider helping the Alexandria Shelter, or one of the others. After all, how much would it cost you to buy a couple of bars of soap, a tube of toothpaste, and a small box of laundry detergent the next time you go to the store? If you have any questions about the Alexandria Shelter or would like to donate, please call Paul Heimer at the shelter for details, 703-329-2050. The address is: Alexandria Community Shelter 233 B Mill Road Alexandria, VA 22314 The Alexandria Community Shelter needs the following items. These are not just for the holidays, but for everyday living. Diapers Baby Wipes Baby Clothing Laundry Detergent Baby Cribs Bars of Soap Toothbrushes Children's Clothing Scarves New Toddler Toys Towels Infant Formula Baby Food Baby Bottles Shampoo & Soap Child Car Seats Toothpaste Deodorant Washcloths Seasonal Adult Clothing Winter Gloves Art Supplies Other shelters for the homeless in the northern Virginia area - all in need of volunteers, supplies and support - include: Name of Shelter, Location, Phone Who Is Served There ALEXANDRIA AREA Alive House Single women 125 S. Payne St., Alexandria, VA 703-231-3891 Families w/children Carpenter's Shelter Singles, 800 N. Henry St., Couples Alexandria, VA Families 703-549-8644 w/children Christ House Single men 131 S. West Street, Alexandria, VA Families 703-549-8644 w/children ARLINGTON Arlington Community Temporary Shelter Single Women 3103 9th Road, Families w/children Arlington, VA 703-237-1147 Arlington-Alexandria Coalition for Singles the Homeless Families 3103 9th Road w/children Arlington, VA 703-525-7177 Arlington Men's Shelter Single men 1727 N. Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 703-525-9632 FAIRFAX Baileys Crossroads Shelter Singles 3525 Moncure Ave, Baileys Crossroads, VA 703-820-7621 Eleanor Kennedy Shelter Singles 9155 Richmond Hwy, Ft. Belvoir, VA 703-799-0200 Embry Rucker Shelter Singles 11975 Bowman Towne Dr., Reston, VA Families 703-437-1975 Mondloch House Singles with 3514 Lockheed Blvd, mental health Alexandria, VA issues,Families 703-768-3400 Shelter House Families 3080 Patrick Henry Dr., Falls Church, VA 703-536-2155 PRINCE WILLIAM, MANASSAS,& MANASSAS PARK ACTS Shelter Singles, 224 S. Main St., Couples, Dumfries, VA Families 703-221-3186 w/children Agape House Singles, 9315 Centerville Road, Couples Manassas, VA Families 703-368-2884 w/children Prince William Homeless Prevention Center Singles, 14395 Jeff Davis Hwy, Families w/children Woodbridge, VA Couples 703-490-1660 Serve Singles, 10037 Nokesville Road, Families Manassas, VA w/children Office: 703-368-2979 Shelter: 703-368-3612 Couples LOUDOUN COUNTY Loudoun County Emergency Housing Alliance Singles Sterling, VA Families 703-444-0350 w/children