An Oasis of Work Opportunities

OAZA homeless shelter has hundreds of hours of service

to expanded capacity by thirty people. The plan was to add a third story onto the building and provide eight additional rooms for homeless people. Many homeless people were put to work in helping with construction of a large addition which required plastering, painting, floors, plumbing, and electrical.

One of the large rooms for which the
homeless call home.

LDS Charities became involved with floor tile and plumbing fixtures for the bathrooms. We met often with the director, a Catholic Priest, who advised much of the work was accomplished by many of the homeless men at the shelter who have skills.

A few months ago we saw the rough construction and have been amazed to see the transformation of painted walls, tiled floors, and bathroom fixtures installed. LDS Charities also provided beds, nightstands, and wardrobes for the rooms.

The delivery and carrying of all these items up to the third floor was accomplished by the shelter residents. The shelter has over 250 homeless men and women who are encouraged to work on premises or be employed elsewhere.

This Shelter has numerous opportunities to work, such as caring for goats, sheep, chickens, cows, or dogs. There is also wood splitting firewood, kitchen help, and sorting and cleaning crews. There is no shortage for work in such a large compound. He welcomes the chance to offer hope to the residents. 

The motto of the director is “Hope for a new life” for every individual even those with addiction problems. The director of the homeless shelter  understands the value of good work ethics as quoted by J. Richard Clarke in 1982.

"Work is honorable. It is good therapy for most problems. It is the antidote for worry. It is the equalizer for deficiency of the native endowment. Works makes it possible for the average to approach genius. What we may lack in aptitude, we can make up for in performance."

As recommended by Korsaren: "If you are poor, work. ... If you are happy, work. Idleness gives room for doubts and fears. If disappointments come, keep right on working. If sorry overwhelms you, ... work. ... When faith falter and reason fails, just work. When dreams are shattered and hope seems dead, work. Work as if your life were in peril. It really is. No matter what ails you, work. Work faithfully. ... Work is the greatest remedy available for both mental and physical afflictions." (The Forbes Scrapbook of Thoughts on the Business of Life, New York: Forbes Inc., 1968, p. 427.)