The New Directions homeless shelter is using social media as positive reinforcement to support its clients when they make an achievement, such as getting their GED or landing a new job.
“To be able to see other people in the community, perfect strangers giving them a hand up, prayers, and just congratulating them has been huge for our organization,” said Executive Director Kathy Jenkins.
Shawn Barnes, a homeless man that stays at the family shelter with his 6-year-old son James got a job at Food Lion, and a photo of him was posted on the New Directions Facebook page.
“I’m just really happy that I’ve got so many supporters on there, everybody who told me congratulations, I just love it all and I really am thankful for everything,” said Barnes.
Robert Scott, a homeless U.S. Navy veteran who stays at the men’s shelter, was recently featured on the Facebook page for finishing a recovery program and getting clean of alcohol.’
“See alcohol has been part of my life for a long long time,” said Scott.
Scott says it feels good knowing people are supporting him.
“It makes you feel like you can hold your chin up a little bit higher,” said Scott.
