“…there are new businesses coming to support us next year so it's not hopeless!”
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Streetsense interviewed Asya Stepanosova who works in the fund-raising for the charity Nochlezhka {Stay-over } which is one of the main charities which has helped the homeless. They have been in Moscow, Russia for around 30 years. Ms. Stepanosova told Streetsense, “I would like to do something with a purpose and not simply marketing. There are quite a lot of people like me who think in a similar way." She comes across as an approachable, thoughtful, caring, and lively person who strongly believes in her mission.
After the interview I passed through a reception center where many women are seated waiting for advice and assistance from social workers and lawyers. Intense suffering is inscribed on their faces; nevertheless, they politely say hello to us. They seem to convey the impression of being warm and kind. They remind me of some of the homeless women I encountered near the three stations who felt sorry for me because I was serving soup without wearing gloves. Asya, noting that I'm surprised there are so many women or just women explains to me "We have different times for men and women to get consultation because the women feel much more comfortable and at ease without the presence of men. A lot of them have been through a lot."
I decide to begin the interview with Asya, and she is happy to respond to my questions.
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Streetsense
What is the biggest problem you have with helping the homeless?
Asya Stepanosova
It is fund-raising to get enough resources because 67% more people have come to us than last year and we don't have the same amount of funds. Winter is also the worst time of year. We don't have enough space and facilities to help the homeless. We can't accommodate everyone.
Streetsense
Have you managed to open a night-shelter in Moscow?
Asya Stepanosova
We have a shelter but only for 20 people. It is a rehabilitation center. It is not like a typical shelter and we don't mean rehabilitation in terms of drugs. We try to find work and accommodation for the people who come to us. They spend 3 to 6 months there and then they'll go to another place to stay. We also have one shelter in Saint Petersburg {It's also not for addiction}.
The problem with fund-raising is a lot of people have lost their jobs and more people are coming to Moscow to look for work. That is why it is so bad. A lot of people come to our center for clothes and showers.
Streetsense
I noticed your spokesperson had an article published in the business journal “Forbes.” That is not the sort of article perhaps that most people would expect as some see this in terms of a stereotyped bourgeois journal.
Asya Stepanosova
Well, yes, we did an interview with “Forbes.” If we did this it is not because we are vain. We try to heighten the problem of homelessness to increase help for them. It's “Forbes” who approached us and not the other way round. The article you are thinking about was published in the women's section of that journal. The head of this section is a very nice person. She came to interview us. I think it is a stereotype that people think they are just bourgeois. It is easier for a premium brand to aim for a target audience. Actually, we have done two or three articles with “Forbes.”
Streetsense
How did you manage that?!
Asya Stepanosova
They came to us because we are quite well known. We can answer their questions and we have done a lot of research into the homeless problem.
Streetsense
Has the attitude about homeless people improved in Russia ?
Asya Stepanosova
We did a recent survey along with a research body in public attitudes in 2021. It's the first time we have done this kind of research. {The title of this survey was 'A person without a home.'} We found that 77% of people questioned believe non-profitable organizations should help the homeless. We have also done research which predicts the amount of homeless people, say, in one month. We have worked with Rostatt to find out how many homeless there are in Moscow. I think the estimated figure comes to 200,000 in Moscow and 60,000 in Saint Petersburg.
Streetsense
How can people best help the homeless?
Asya Stepanosova
A subscription (donation) is the best way because we can predict how much we need to spend now and in the future. If a person provides a monthly subscription of 100 to 1000 rubles it helps. It is easy to do. You just push a button and it is made! When they see the homeless they can help them by giving them a hot drink. They can give out one of our leaflets which provides our address. It is helpful because people have come to us because someone gave them a leaflet with our address on it.
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People should not kick out the homeless if they are lying in the hall entrance or lobby of their block of flats. People can do anything they think which helps a homeless person not freeze to death.
Streetsense
Why did you get a job helping the homeless?
Asya Stepanosova
This job has a point and purpose. It's absurd to do marketing when people die.
Streetsense
What is the Russian government doing about this problem?
Asya Stepanosova
They've set up warming up tents in Moscow and that is fully supported in Russia. However, it is not enough. We have collaborated with the social services and the Russian government to allow the homeless to be vaccinated once a month even if they don't have documents. We aid about 10 to 12 people a month. Sometimes people come to us to get vaccinated. It is a big achievement to win this right. We also host a lot of round tables and discussions.
Streetsense
What do you think of the proposed “Housing First” strategy advocated in Finland and Scotland to end homelessness?
Asya Stepanosova
We have researched this idea. It is reasonable. It requires a lot of resources which we can't provide. There is another program which is called 'Jobs First.' It also requires a lot of resources. We have monthly meetings and we read articles and understand those approaches.
Streetsense
And what kind of jobs might you find the homeless?
Asya Stepanosova
Well, it is also very convenient and easier to find someone any job. But it is hard work to train for a new kind of job or profession. Everyone is different so we have to ensure people find suitable work.
Streetsense
What about the idea of homeless people selling a newspaper on the streets to make an income as supported by the Big Issue in Britain or some homeless becoming excursion guides?
Asya Stepanosova
We had a newspaper in Saint Petersburg, but we found people no longer bought newspapers. We don't do this anymore. As for homeless people becoming excursion guides it is hard to make this legal.
Streetsense
Are you an optimist?
Asya Stepanosova
You can't afford not to be an optimist. Companies are losing money and cutting back on giving donations to non-profit charities and many people are losing their jobs. But there are new businesses coming to support us next year so it's not hopeless!