Kentucky Homeless Group Headed To Help Joplin Tornado Victims

Twelve homeless persons from Lexington, Ky. are traveling to the storm-ravaged Joplin, Mo. to help recovery efforts, reports the Associated Press.

Sponsored by the Christian Appalachian Project and the Catholic Action Center, the group is looking forward to lending a hand and helping others through a situation they know well.

Volunteer Christina Carl told the AP:

"I know what it is to be homeless, and a lot of these people have lost their homes. I can kind of identify with them in some situations. I just want to try to help and give back because a lot of people are helping me right now."

Ginny Ramsey, who has helped organize and train the group of homeless volunteers, says that all the volunteers signed an agreement to stay away from alcohol or drugs on the trip. She says she's confident that they will keep their sobriety because helping others will "fill the void."

"There is nothing that revives the human spirit more than to know that you're needed, and then to put your energy into it," she said. "Experiencing homelessness doesn't make them any different from the rest of us. Their compassion is there, their ability is there."

WKYT reports that the group experienced some snags while making travel arrangements, but they overcame their problems by coordinating efforts with other support groups in the area.

Rudy Alarcon, a volunteer, explained how the community stepped in to help.

"Well, what's really cool is that everybody here has got a lot of pooled in resources," Alarcon said, "They've got a lot of long-standing friendships with the local community, which is really kind of... it's hard to find."

WATCH:

For ways to help, check out HuffPost's "How You Can Help Victims Of The Joplin Missouri Tornado."

Comments

[DallasDon]

10:48 PM on 06/04/2011

I can't think of a better way to spend one's downtime.
Good for them ;-)

[kelhanwil]

01:58 PM on 06/01/2011

Very positive move. The homeless gain self worth and pride for helping a fellow citizen and the people devastaed by the tornado get help. I'd say that's a win, win.

[BPCentrisAmerican]

07:34 PM on 05/31/2011

Sadly the people they voted for are turning thier backs on them.

[Mark Sommerer]

06:57 PM on 05/31/2011

Restores my faith in humanity, oh wait, those homeless people are libs, Lets find something to gripe about, and blame it on the Democrats.

[April22]

06:56 PM on 05/31/2011

Awfully sad that homeless people would have more generous hearts than most of our government leaders.

Perhaps those government leaders who are seeking to drive more Americans into poverty and an early grave need to lose everything they have to gain a chance to have a change of heart or find they have a heart at all.

[BPCentrisAmerican]

07:35 PM on 05/31/2011

Only Republican government leaders.

[jeb50]

05:57 PM on 05/31/2011

Doubt you'll see many white collar volunteers. Their the ones who probably set the broken toys and used underwear to 'do their part'. There will be very little help from the I've got mine crowd.
When there are problems up here its the poor and working class that are the first to help.

[Carol Stephens Briers]

05:32 PM on 05/31/2011

They have nothing and yet they are willing to help others? Perhaps some in better "situations" might want to take notice....

This is what we SHOULD do for our fellow man.

[They Call Me Mr Snark]

05:28 PM on 05/31/2011

Someone needs to help them, because the GOTP won't.

[socalcde]

04:37 PM on 05/31/2011

On the one hand, it's nice to see homeless people given an opportunity. On the other hand, what the people of Joplin are in need of are homes, not people to sympathize with them for being homeless.

[DanBeach]

05:42 PM on 05/31/2011

Yeah, homes is what all homeless people need

[swabby01]

07:39 PM on 05/31/2011

actually, i think you are wrong. they do need someone that can relate to help them emotionally navigate a strange new world to them. it will help them not feel so strange about their new situation. it really messes with your head to be self sufficient one day and dependent on others and having to ask to use the bathroom the next day. never underestimate the emotional component for the key to success or failure.

[socalcde]

09:39 PM on 05/31/2011

Which is why these people need at least FEMA trailers.

[Red45]

04:35 PM on 05/31/2011

What a great idea. Whoever thought of it deserves an award.

[Arrech]

04:22 PM on 05/31/2011

My condolences to the people of Joplin.

Next time around vote Democratic.

Maybe then God will forgive you.

[Carol Stephens Briers]

05:33 PM on 05/31/2011

Totally agree with your first 2 sentances...

The third one stinks!

[Arrech]

11:58 PM on 05/31/2011

Wake up and smell the caca.

[Golfrrs]

08:14 PM on 05/31/2011

Maybe then God will forgive you for voting Democratic? WTF is that lame statement.

[Arrech]

11:58 PM on 05/31/2011

DUH