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Frostbite protection in Heilbronn: A warm haven for the homeless!
In Heilbronn, the frostbite protection in the Neckarhalde outdoor pool opened for homeless people to counter winter dangers.
Frostbite protection in Heilbronn: A warm haven for the homeless!
The nights are getting noticeably colder, and that is a real problem for many homeless people in Heilbronn. This makes the frostbite protection provided by the construction guild, which opened its doors on November 1st, all the more important. This offers vulnerable people a warm place to stay overnight in the Neckarhalde outdoor pool during the cold season.
The initiative runs until the end of March and provides a total of 16 beds: 12 places for men and 4 for women. Two volunteers are on site every evening to assign beds. Overnight time is from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. While the first few days were relatively quiet and some beds remained free, increasing demand is already forecast. Every winter the number of overnight places needed grows and many people have to be turned away.
Social challenge
As the situation shows, the homeless problem does not only affect runaways or people in special circumstances. More and more younger people and seniors over 65 are looking for support. An example is a 71-year-old woman who had to leave her apartment for personal needs and is now left with nothing. In a tight housing market like today's, it is an immense challenge for older people to find suitable new housing.
The support center offers valuable help to anyone who is losing their home or is about to lose it. Fortunately, there is also increasing community involvement: a total of 25 volunteers take care of frostbite protection, five more than last year. These dedicated helpers come from a variety of professional backgrounds, including retirees, working professionals and students.
Gratitude and hope
The gratitude of the homeless people is noticeably high. They appreciate the opportunity to take a warm shower, or receive a piece of clothing and hot meals. The simplest things take on special importance in such difficult times. The volunteers report touching encounters and the joy of those seeking help, who often miss the everyday comforts that many of us take for granted.
In a city like Heilbronn, one must not forget the challenges that vulnerable groups in particular are faced with. It is our responsibility to help these people and support existing offers so that no one is left out in the cold. The initiative at the Neckarhalde outdoor pool is a step in the right direction to give warmth and humanity during this cold season.