Day 5 Family Promise Banaszak

I love this Winterim class. I love all the people in it, and I love our conversations in class. It's opened my eyes to a whole different way of life. I mean, I knew before what homelessness was and some of the reasons why people were homeless, but I really never went that deep into it. Since even the first day, I've been realizing how lucky I have it, and trying to be thankful for every little good thing that comes my way. Even when I look at homeless people now, it's completely different than before this. Before, I was the kind of person who looked at everyone with a sign on the corner as annoying. But now, I try not to really think anything about them. What I mean by that is I try to see them as "normal" people, because when I see "normal" people on the sidewalk I never really think much of it, and I should do the same of the homeless. This past week has definitely been the highlight of my school year, and I'm so thankful for everything that has happened in it so far.

Day 5

I think that this class has been good experiment. I really like helping and being out of school, but really the big thing is that I didn't know about some of the places for shelters.

Now I know where the homeless go and what causes it, but I didn't know that there were places for different types of homeless people. Over this past week I've been thinking about how others approach the homeless and why they do. It got me thinking and understanding why they might think some of the things they do. But also to see how close minded they are. It makes me wonder if I'm ever that closed minded about other things. I hope the people that I'm helping and doing things for don't think that I am in anyway. Thats what was going through my mind this past week.

Day 5 Family Promise Huan

Today was especially exciting because the group and I were able to do something new. When we got there, we started on some cleaning. We cleaned doorknobs and other regularly hand touched things. We got to bake a cake for the families there and later on we got to make a whole pot of mac n' cheese.

Something that I have learned from volunteering at Family Promise is that 40% of homeless people are children. The stereotypical type of homeless person that I pictured: a dirty, drunk male, living under bridge is the not the majority all homeless people.

Day 5 Guiding Light Mission Olushola

Today at Guiding Light Mission we did kinda the same as anyother day we went into the kitchen  made some salad, bagged lunches, and helped Josh out a little. We also sat in a class talking about how drug addition starts and how people end up getting addicted to things like drugs or alcohol. Most of the guys at the mission have been either on one or both, and its good to have a class like that to help you out.

Day 5 YWCA McLemore

So far I have learned so much from this homeless course. I learned volunteering at a shelter can make a big difference to those who work there. Volunteering at the YWCA is such a privilege to me because not many people can volunteer or take this course. I feel good knowing that I'm helping someone in need. By the end of this week I hope to learn more so I can talk to others about homelessness.

Day 5 Guiding Light Barendse

Overall this has been a great experience--I look forward to going there everyday. The people there are very nice and are always happy to see us. I'm also learning a lot about preparing food for big groups, another great life lesson. There is now a bond between me and the people there. It will be a sad day when I cant go back there anymore, but I will still volunteer there.

Day 5 First Place Johnson

Today we helped Mr.Johnson by getting envelopes ready for him to give the money to the people who worked. We asked him a few questions for our presentation

Overall I think this class has opened my eyes to new people and experiences. It helps me understand and take in consideration of what other people go through. I also learned about different places and organizations that help out. In the end I think I'll be happy with this class and take something from it.

Day 5 Degage Ministries Feddema

All my life I have wanted to be a missionary, I want to go some place like Israel and help the people that have no clue who Jesus is. Today I got kind of smacked in the face with reality- why am I trying to go so far away? Why do I have to go overseas just to help somebody in need when so many people around me are hurting- right here. I talked to this basically kid and he talked about how I could do it, anything I wanted to. I guess it just never dawned on me before that so many people around me are in need and I don't have to go very far to help someone. This course has made my whole view of like my future, which isn't necessarily a bad thing... But I have a lot of thinking to do. 

Day 5 Hope Community Vis

Today we got to Hope Community expecting to help a mother clean her house, but her and her daughter were sick. We stayed in the lobby and talked for a while because Cathy and Laura were at a meeting and we didn't know what to do. We really got to bond and know more about each other, and it was really cool. At the end Cathy and Laura got back and had us help out with bringing donations to the places they needed to be. During this week I have realized that the relationships I have made are really special because they're slowly letting us in. I would really like to continue these relationships I have made in the last week, and maybe continue my visits to help out around Hope.

Day 5 Hope Community Fethke

Today we were supposed to visit Rosalie and help her clean her apartment, but unfortunately she caught the flu and so did her daughter, so we were unable to help out. I was looking forward to it because we were going to have the one on one communication that I have been looking forward to. I guess I was looking forward to this because one of the things that is important to learn from this class is not only learn about peoples stories, like I have stated in earlier blog posts, but also take those stories and use them to help teach other people about the topic of homlessness. I really can't wait until I get the opportunity to learn these stories. We are planning on doing this in the upcoming days.

Day 5 Degage Ministries Marquez

We talked about alot of things in the classroom and the presentation that everyone did. I learned about what happens in the shelters and what it was like working there. I think everyone's presentation went well. I liked the presentations because I can't go to other places to see what happens over there and the presentations helped me know what happens over there.

Today at Degage it was kind of an easy day because there wasn't much to do. There were 3 people already working there and we just waited and waited for some people to come and ask for something. We took some pictures with George for the presentation. 

An interesting link from Mr. Tuit.

When Lisa was here on Thursday, she shared "Five Practical Ways You Can Help The Homeless" from a book called Open Our Eyes: Seeing the Invisible People of Homelessness. Here they are, with my own explanation of each:

1. See the homeless as people. Recognize the humanity and dignity of others. "A kind, supportive word can go a long way."
2. Stand up for the homeless. Be an advocate in your community, your church, and broader society.
3. Give. Most agencies or organizations that serve the homeless exist based on donations of money and items.
4. Volunteer. Use your time and skills to help others and raise awareness.
5. Come up with a plan to help. You're going to have interaction with people who are "housing insecure" if not outright homeless. Be prepared to help--and not just with your spare change. Know what you will say and do, and have items and resources on hand to carry out your plan.

This course has been a good opportunity for me to practice all five of these, so far. One person who is doing #1 and #2 very well is named Mark Horvath. His website, http://invisiblepeople.tv/blog/, tries to draw attention to the situation of specific individuals. Take a look at it--it's powerful stuff. I like the tag at the bottom:  "Some content may be offensive. Our hope is you'll get mad enough to do something."  This probably refers to the "righteous anger" we mentioned in class.

Now I need to do #5 more intentionally. 

Day 4 Family Promise

When we got to Family Promise, Kelsey wasn't there so we went & played with the kids 'till she got there. When she got there she had us take pictures & videos to say thank you to a school that donated a lot of hats & scarfs to Family Promise. The little kids got past the gate so I took pictures of them & Claire playing in the hats & scarfs. After that we went to the other office & made thank you posters for places that helped out at Family Promise or donated things.

Today I learned that homeless women have a regular life, they just don't have a place to live. They can be angry, happy, & stressed just like us. We put homeless people down like they're nothing, & that's not the right thing to do. We think that they are less then us, and really when we think like that that actually puts them above us.

Day 4 Shepard's of Independence Van Tol

Today we didn't do much. Yazmine and I vacuumed upstairs then we all finished taking the Christmas trees down. After all the decorations were taken down we finished putting stuff in boxes, loaded them onto a cart, and brought them to the basement. Once we unloaded all the boxes, a lady named Mary started helping us organize all the boxes so she knew where everything went. That took most of the time we were there, so after we finished we went back to the office and got our coats. Amanda decided she was hungry, so Yazmine asked if we could have a muffin, and he said yes so we thanked him and ran out and got our muffins before it was time to go. Amanda and I ran so we wouldn't get wet, and Yazmine and Jessie had to walk because they both had coffee. By the time she got on we were all on the bus and ready to leave. It was a great last day for us :) Well, at least until next week. :)

Day 4 Guiding Light Mission Barendse

Today we helped make lunch for the residents at Guiding light. After that we went and sat in on a class and took a test on what kind of person you are. The person who was helping us in the kitchen always tells us about what they're doing there, how they help others and helpful stuff like that. The most interaction I've had with the people being served was on the first day. We went to a class and they all were asking questions like, "Do you play any sports?" And they politely asked, "So, why are you here?" We responded that we were interested in homelessness and this was the class we chose. They all said what a great thing we were doing and positive things like that.

day 4 Degage Ministries Marquez

Today was kinda busy because there was more than one person at the desk, but they got sent downstairs to the kitchen so it was only me, Gabe, Bill, and Ron. Bill did the showers and laundry. Ron was the person that helped us when we first got there. There was old mail that we had to take out, and that was so much work because Gabe had to stamp them and I had to cross out the bar code which was frustrating. Most of the people that were there had to check mail, shower, and do laundry. Others had to pay for their locker so they could keep it. George was doing the laundry because it was his job. Ron kept on talking about how it was so great that we were here and that we did a good job. It was kinda quiet at the end because there was like one or two people there.

The thing that really caught my attention was how much Ron was thanking us. He just kept talking about how it's so great that were here helping and how it's nice to have more people willing to help out. Someone else told us that it was great that we were helping. Ron told me that he would have to ask our teacher if he could keep us the whole day so we could see how the lockers would be given out. Someone told us before we left that it was great that we were here and while we were there two guys were joking around and that was great because it was nice to see someone enjoying their time there.

Day 4 Degage Ministries Feddema

I think we judge people based on the stereotypical things we "know" about them, while forgetting that every situation is different. Even in your own family, or school or church, nobody is really a like. Although there are similarities, there are never identical copies. So is it right for us to say that because one homeless guy we met once was stinky, smelly and gross, that they all are? On the other hand, just because I keep meeting these amazing people, I still can't say that homeless people are as a whole nice. But I can focus on the moments, the amazing, little, simple things that people are doing. George told me today that any time he can make my day is a blessing for him. One of my favorite guys told me that I always look so "fashionable." I got an uncountable amounts of thank yous from people, whether I did anything for them or not. I think one of the really amazing people there though is a man by the name of Alex; every time I unlock his locker for him or something like that, we talk. For some reason, he just makes out to be the perfect listener. Yesterday, I told him about my fear of having someone ask me to unlock their locker, and their face doesn't match the picture inside the locker. "Then what would I do?" "You just shut the locker!" He told me, "Just tell 'em dat they can't use the locker!" I laughed with him. Today he came in soaking wet, so I started to complain about the rain and he made fun of me for wearing white pants, saying how I should have checked the weather because it's supposed to rain all day. No, not all homeless people are nice; I have for sure experienced some mean ones this week. But I can say that a lot of the homeless aren't mean, that a lot of them are just willing to talk or willing to listen. Alex listens, and it's really really cool. But what he does say, I feel like I learn a lot from. He's wise, and he has so much more then I have, just in a different way. The little moments I get to be with him and other people in Degage are the greatest.

Day 4 Hope Community Vis

At the beginning of the week we were told that there were three things that get the people at Hope to come to things. These three things were free, food, and fun. We found out just how true that really was today. We had a pancake breakfast, and unlike the other days we had several families come down. They all loved it and asked us if we were coming back next week. We are slowly getting to know these women and children on a personal level. Today was one of the mothers 20th birthday. She loved that we rose to the occasion and brought cupcakes and a gift. I have gotten to know this woman pretty well and even though I don't know why she's in this situation I know that she is more then grateful for Hope and the people around her. She told me the day I got there that If she wasn't at Hope she wouldn't know what to do. As she told me a little about Hope, she started telling me how Hope wasn't just a place to live but the place that teaches you everything you need to live in the future. It helped her with some of her problems she could handle on her own, and Hope is still helping her in other places of her life where she needs it. Getting to know her I have realized I take for granted the things I'm taught by my family and friends. Things I just have grown up knowing these women are just learning.

Day 4 Placements Mr. Tuit

This morning I got to take pancake breakfast supplies to Hope Community, where our students were making a breakfast for the residents. It was fun to see them owning their placement. The hosts have been very impressed by the job the students are doing, and the residents seemed to enjoy the breakfast a lot. There was a also a small birthday celebration for one resident, complete with cupcakes and candles.

Next I went to Degage to check in. There, too, the host agency is thrilled with the job the students are doing, and some cool relationships are being formed with Degage's clients.

It was on the way into Degage that my favorite moment of the day happened. I already got one parking ticket this week when I thought I could just run into Degage to check in. Today, I parked in front of Degage and then realized that I again didn't have any coins. I went to some of the men in front of the store front and asked if any of them had a quarter, but they immediately said no and turned their backs. When I said that was too bad, because I didn't want to get another parking ticket, every one of them turned back towards me and reached into his pocket to offer me a quarter. They wouldn't even take my dollar--they just wanted to help me out. Somehow, I became not just some guy asking for money, but a person they could relate to and wanted to help. I haven't thought through the moment fully, yet, but I'm grateful for the sense of community that was formed even in a small moment.