Loneliness and poverty: an appeal for more humanity in Linz!

Loneliness and poverty: an appeal for more humanity in Linz!

Linz, Österreich - in Linz are loneliness and social isolation are serious challenges for homeless people. According to Julian Kapeller, a homeless pastor, these people are not only poor, hungry and wet, but also often ignored. "It not only needs food, but also food for the soul," emphasizes Kapeller, who has been taking care of the mental needs of the homeless since September. He emphasizes that many of them have a deep spiritual dimension in their life stories, which are often shaped by poverty and exclusion. These experiences can serve as a source of strength to cope with their difficult realities of life, as the Chapter .

Kapeller is involved in day centers, organizes conversations and spiritual events and also offers funerals for people without relatives. His personal commitment goes so far that he himself carried out street extent in order to better understand the challenges of homeless people. This experience has raised his awareness of the topics of loneliness and exclusion. In addition to material help, the emotional support is essential. Community and exchange are of great importance for many affected people, as Kapeller explains. These aspects lay the foundation for a supportive and human encounter with homeless.

The effects of poverty on children and families

At the same time, there is another worrying picture in Linz: poverty affects not only adults, but also children to alarming dimensions. According to the Volkshilfe Linz, around 33,000 children and young people in Upper Austria are affected by poverty. Maria Dietrich, Chair of Volkshilfe, appeals to the company to face these challenges. "The situation has tightened the situation, especially for single parents," she emphasizes. The fear of poverty in old age and the inadequate social benefits further tighten the emergency. This problem was made aware of this problem on one evening of the Volkshilfe, with a call to combat child poverty. Here it became clear that poverty also brings shame and that the social view must be encouraged urgently, as .