Sylvia Jeffors’ path to becoming an Associate of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth has unfolded over time and in action.
She has long been a supporter of the Sisters. She has previously volunteered with the Lay Mission Volunteer program multiple times. More recently, she completed her experience as a Companion of Charity at Nazareth. Now, she is preparing to become an Associate.
Back home in London, her call continues each Wednesday night on the streets of Victoria.
In a short video she recently shared, Sylvia captures a Wednesday outreach. Volunteers distribute food, hot drinks, bedding, and clothing.
Sylvia serves with the New Testament Assembly Homeless Team, which has provided weekly outreach in Victoria for more than 20 years. The area is one of London’s busiest tourist and theater districts. With major productions such as “Wicked” and “Hamilton” drawing large crowds, rough sleepers are highly visible to visitors and theatergoers.
Homelessness in the United Kingdom takes many forms. A person may live in government housing for decades and still be classified as homeless if the housing is not permanent. Others sleep on a friend’s sofa. Those living on the streets or in night shelters are known as rough sleepers. It is this group Sylvia encounters each week.
Before Covid, Victoria was a central location where hundreds bedded down nightly. Numerous voluntary and faith groups provided food, clothing and services. During Covid, the government mandated nightly accommodation for rough sleepers. For a time, there were no rough sleepers on the streets. After restrictions ended, many returned. The local council now patrols to prevent people from sleeping in doorways. Many volunteer and faith groups did not resume their outreach.
The need has grown more visible.
Sylvia and the team have witnessed serious medical conditions, including deep leg ulcers and untreated wounds. They have met individuals recently discharged from hospitals after surgery, with no place to recover. Open drug sales and the impact of addiction are part of the environment. Some rough sleepers have jobs but still cannot afford housing. Few have tents. Many are exposed to cold and rain.
Over the years, the team has built relationships with individuals. They have seen some receive housing, only to return to the streets later. Rough sleepers come from varied backgrounds and for many different reasons.
“It is an honor to serve,” Sylvia shared. “It is tough being on the cold, wet streets at night from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m., then getting home after midnight. But at least we have a home and a bed to return to.”
When she returned to London after her time at Nazareth, she noticed about 30 people sleeping at the entrance of a large church. The church later hired security guards to prevent people from taking refuge there at night. The change saddened her. She wished the doors could have opened for shelter.
As she moves toward becoming an Associate, her commitment is already clear. On a busy London street, among crowds and theater lights, her team stands in quiet solidarity with those who sleep outside.