Final Reflection Banaszak

On the first day of Winterim, I’ll admit that I was one of those people who looked at all the homeless and thought the same thing of all them, “they got themselves into this mess, and if they want to get out it’s their problem.” Horrible, right? But I feel like that’s the way everyone is starting to think now, that all homeless people are druggies or alcoholics or addicted to something or another. But, as we’ve all learned this week, that’s not the case at all. Now, when I see a homeless person on the street, I think nothing different of them than what I think when I see people who own houses. They are people with stories, with a whole life behind them, with a family, with dreams for the future, just at a bad time in their life right now. Also, before this class, whenever I thought of homelessness all I thought were negative things. I was sad, confused, angry, felt helpless, etc. But now, I know that I don’t need to feel sad every time I see a homeless person, because they could be just as happy as me. Just because they might not have a sturdy roof over their head doesn’t mean they’re not happy even just to be alive. I was always angry about homelessness because I didn’t think people were helping them enough, but that was just me being dumb. I was never helpless! No one is, really when it comes to things like that. I now know I can volunteer for just a few hours on a weekend, or donate clothes to a shelter that needs some, or make a meal for a family, or even just sit down and talk with someone who’s homeless. It’s pretty simple, and I am so glad I know that now. So, to keep going with that idea, my plan now is to volunteer a lot more. It doesn’t even have to be at the same place each time. Maybe one weekend I can help out at Degage, next weekend go back to Family Promise, put money in envelopes at First Place, whatever has to be done. Also, once I start doing that, I hope I can get other people involved in it too. I know going out and volunteering with your friends isn’t really the “cool” thing to do, but oh well. Doesn’t mean you can’t have a good time! And when I’m done here, my dream is that I’ve made some change, big or small, for the better in this world.