Today we had a pretty fun day even though we didnt actually do things at the shelter. Angela's mom took us to the shelter first and then Jen took us to their main building down town where we worked in their clothing store called Sojerners closet. There will picked out all of the unfashionable clothes that none of the ladies that would come there would wear and when we were done with that we made outfits for them to put up in the windows and around the store. When we were all finished we went back to the shelter where we went down stairs in the shelters closet and did the same thing that we did at Sojerners. While we were doing that two little girls came out of the laundry room and walked right up to us. They asked us what we were doing there and what we were doing with all the clothes. I was really surprised at how friendly they were, you would think that because they were so little and there were random strangers where they were staying that they would just walk right by, but they wanted to stop and say Hi first. Soon it was time to leave so we headed out to the bus stop to wait for a bus that never came...and then Mr.Tuit came to get us :) Working at Sojerners was just a reminder to me as to how little homeless people have and how much they actually need. I think its really cool how the YWCA makes sure that the women that go to Sojerners arent just getting crappy hand-me-down clothes but new(ish) stylish fashionable clothes.
Today I went back to Family Promise and once again played with Markese and Daniel. After we played with them we did something new. I had to make a thank you video to some company or church who donated a lot of hats and scarves and we dumped them all on someone during the video. After the group and I were finished filming the video, Kelsey wanted to send some photos of clients wearing the new hats that were sent in. So they all dressed up and took pictures of themselves. Today it was Kelsey's birthday so as we were making boards for churches we made a card for Kelsey as well.
Today we didnt do as much. We finished taking down the christmas tree and organized and put things in the basement. We met a couple of residents. Amanda got dust everywhere. And that was it..
Putting yourself in someone else shoes really makes you see the challenges other people face everyday. Today I got to hold and take care of a four month old little girl named Mia. Mia is the sweetest most content baby I have ever met. I walked around with her and talked to the mother of a little boy named Amir. When it came time for clean up I helped clean up with her in my other arm. Though with such a content baby it was fairly easy there were many thing I couldn't do or couldn't do as fast. I always had to worry about making sure she was safe on top of cleaning up. I can imagine how much harder it would be if she was fussy. Her mom as a single mother has to clean the house and take care of her. I dont think it would possible if she was still homeless.
Today we sat in on a bible study. They talked about the story of The Good Samaritan, then asked who people would be in that story. I thought about who would I be in this story? Some people said that they would be the priest and just walk by. There were many other thoughts about it. We then went to the kitchen. It was very emotional. We were cutting onions for meat sandwiches and making salad, but the whole time we were doing that the person that was helping us was telling us what we were doing this for. We were making food for men who maybe had a problem with alcohol or drugs or they needed a job and a place to stay. Then he continued to tell us how great the services they have there are. Overall a great day.