Day 3 Hope Community Fethke
I think that something to be learned from this winterim course is that building relationships with people and treating people with respect and care is important for all people. Just from being at Hope I have learned this to be true. I think the women there are still unsure what our role with them is, but I also think that they really appreciate our help. Tomorrow we are having a pancake breakfast for all the residents, and as we were telling the women about it, I can tell they are excited and they appreciate the interaction we are having with them. I am excited because I think tomorrow will be a day where we can really talk to the moms and learn their stories. I am also looking forward to next week because we are planning on cleaning some of the apartments with the women and talking to them on a more personal level.
After hearing Lisa talk this afternoon, it has become more and more clear that building relationships is one of the most important things. I think it helps them have a bit of "normality" (if that is a word) in their lives to help forget about the stress of jobs and food and money. I not only think that this communication is important for the residents, but it is also important for me. I think learning their stories can help me break the stereotypes in my mind when I think of a homeless person, and I also think it can make me more aware and grateful for the things that are really luxuries. And making a new friend is always a plus. I hope the women there are willing to open up, and I also hope that I am willing to open up, too.