Posted by ken on November 14, 2011 · Leave a Comment
Imagine: You have lived your whole life thinking you are a ‘zero without the rim’. Violence in your ‘home’ has forced you to leave. The streets are as bad as your worst imaginations, but at least better than the mean drunk of a step father who beat you with a hockey stick.
Then: You become a part of a safe enviornment where you do art. You certainly are not an artist by any stretch of anyone’s imagination, but guess what? People you don’t even know, talk to you about how interesting your creations are, how they stir their imaginations, ask what the story is behind the art… and you are launched into a new realm of existence where suddenly, you are a person.
This is not a far stretch of the imagination! One of the kids in the show came up to me and with absolute amazement in her eyes, told me that someone bid $100 for one of her paintings. Low and behold, that person was right beside me at the time! It’s enough to change a life!
Unexpected outcomes: Relatives of the kids came and bid on the art pieces! People spoke highly of the program and congratulated the kids! People lingered and spoke with the young artists. It was a good day and a great show.
Thanks to the many who made this happen! Want to learn more? Call us!
Filed under ABCD, About OIM, Addictions, Alcoholism, Assets Based Community Development, Breaking the cycle of poverty, creative arts, Dignity, Events, Miracle on the Streets, Passion for Youth art program, Personal Experiences, Poverty in Canada, Recovery, Respect, Street Outreach, Street Youth, street youth art program, Street Youth in Canada · Tagged with ABCD, Assets Based Community Development, biblical justice, break cycle poverty, Dignity, Make a diference, poverty Canada, poverty ontario, poverty ottawa, Respect, Street Youth, street youth outreach, walk the streets
Posted by ken on September 19, 2011 · 1 Comment
The Street Outreach team met Bess and Ken near Confederation Park near the first of September. They came up to us asking for sleeping bags because they were sleeping outside. Since we were on the way back to the office anyhow, we asked them if they would like to come and we could help them. The tent they had was stolen the night before and for various reasons, they were having difficulty accessing resources. They were from southern Ontario and moved to Ottawa with hopes of finding work and an apartment. Before they left, we invited them to keep in touch.
The next week we met them on outreach again, and first saw Bess panhandling with a sign that said, “Need $ for a ticket to Owen Sound”. A quick glance around saw Ken across the street keeping an eye on her. We sat and chatted. The sleeping bags were working out great, they were both doing well and did not need any outreach items. We said goodbye and then went across the street and chatted with Ken. He mentioned that they were still having trouble finding a place because rent was much more expensive than they had anticipated. He told us that Bess had been pan handling with a sign asking for money for first and last month’s rent, but that it had not made very much money. He said that he was feeling guilty about the new sign because it is dishonest, but that it is making them much more money. We told him that the important thing was that the money was going to be spent on something positive, like an apartment. After a brief conversation we offered outreach items and then said goodbye.
We were well on our way back to the OIM office about ten minutes later when I heard someone calling for us. It was Bess and Ken. They were running to catch up with us. Bess handed me something and asked me to return it to Karen, one of our outreach workers. Opening the envelope we saw five twenty dollar bills. Bess explained that she had met Karen the night before on outreach. Karen returned the next day and gave Bess the money and a sandwich. Bess and Ken were feeling very guilty that Karen had given the money thinking that it was going towards a ticket to Owen Sound. Ken added that he felt that Karen might get discouraged if she found out that they had been lying on their sign.
We were speechless! We promised that we would return the money to Karen so that she could decide what to do with it. They seemed relieved. My fellow outreach worker told them “God will bless you for your honesty”. Ken replied “We already feel so blessed. He’s already blessed us so much.”
Bringing you up to date: Bess and Ken have become our friends. They have entrusted us with $1,000 to hold for them so they can pay their first and last month’s rent. Last Friday, September 16th, they got their place!! Now that they are set up, Ken is actively looking for work, and Bess is planning to finish her high school. She is sixteen.
Filed under About OIM, Breaking the cycle of poverty, Dignity, Homelessness, Housing, Housing Canada, Housing Ontario, Housing Ottawa, Miracle on the Streets, Personal Experiences, Poverty, Recovery, Respect, Street Outreach, Street Youth, Street Youth in Canada, Street Youth Ottawa · Tagged with break cycle poverty, Dignity, help the poor, Homelessness, homelessness canada, homelessness ontario, homelessness ottawa, Housing in Ontario, Housing in Ottawa, living on the streets, poverty Canada, poverty ontario, Recovery, Respect, Street Outreach, street work, Street Youth, street youth outreach, walk the streets
Posted by ken on July 25, 2011 · Leave a Comment
Our youth outreach worker recounted this story of last Monday’s events, and I thought you would be interested.
Eddy was one of the first members of our Passion 4 youth art program. He enjoyed coming every week and worked on building model cars and also a model of a mountain with a stream running from the side. After the first art show he and his girlfriend Sue stopped coming to the group. I caught up with him a few times on outreach and he told me that he was selling too much crack now and could not afford to take a night off. So we just kept telling him that we loved him and that he was welcome to come back whenever he wanted to. Then we stopped hearing from him all together for a few months. At one point his girlfriend Sue contacted me and told me that he had been arrested for selling drugs. A few more months went by and I got a facebook message from Eddy. He told me that he had served 7 months in Jail and then was released to serve the rest of his sentence at a rehab facility in Quebec. He was allowed to go home for a weekend and while at home he used heroin again. When he came back to rehab and failed a drug test and was dismissed from the facility.
At his next court appearance Eddy was informed that he would have to serve a few more months in jail because he failed the drug test. He asked if he could go and call his mother. When he left the room, Eddy got scared and decided to run from the court room. He later called his lawyer who told him that he needed to turn himself in to the authorities. He knew that he should do the right thing but he was very scared to turn himself in.
Eddy asked me what I thought he should do and I told him that he needed to listen to his lawyer. He said that he has never willingly put himself in Jail. It was just too crazy to think about. So over the next few weeks Eddy would contact me and tell me that he was going to turn himself in. But the next day he would not follow through. He called me again and said that he was thinking about turning himself over to authorities in the morning. I told him that if he wanted I would meet him I would meet with him at the Rideau center in the morning and we could go together. That way he could have a friend with him in case he got scared and wanted to run away again. Eddy said that he would like that so we arranged a time to meet. When I arrived at our meeting spot he was already there waiting for me. We hugged and I told him that I was proud of him. I got him some breakfast and sat and talked for a while. I asked him why he felt that he was ready now. He told me that he had just found out that our mutual friend Roni had died of a drug overdose last week. Roni was a good friend to him and her death had a profound effect on him. He decided that if he didn’t want to end up the same way he needed to make some changes in his life. We talked about how this was an opportunity for him to face some of the things that he has been running from. We walked over to the court house together. Along the way Eddy noticed a man sitting on the Mackenzie King Bridge pan handling. Eddy walked over and gave him all but 4 of the cigarettes from his pack, as well as all of the money in his pocket. We went into the court and called his lawyer. The lawyer agreed to meet him there. When the lawyer came we approached one of the police officers stationed at the court house and told him that Eddy was turning himself in. He filled out some paper work gave up his wallet and shoe laces. He looked very scared and started to cry. The officer told him that he was going to process the paper work and be back in about fifteen minutes. In the mean time Eddy was allowed to go outside and have one last smoke.
We walked out to the patio in the back and he lit his cigarette. At this point I reminded him of all the times we had talked about the difference that Jesus could make in his life. We talked about how God’s love for him is unconditional, and that he was going to need Gods strength to overcome the things that were controlling his life. Usually an agnostic, Eddy told me that this time he really believed that what I was saying was true. So I asked if he would like to ask the Lord to be his Savior and give his life to Christ he said that he did. I sat next to him and we prayed together. When we were done praying we looked up and the police officer was waiting in front of us to take him to the cells. We stood up and walked together with the officer to the elevator.
The officer agreed not to handcuff him until they were downstairs so as not to embarrass him in front of the public. Eddy teared up again and then gave me a hug. I left him my number so that he can continue to call me while he is in jail. He thanked me for staying with him and then asked if I would call his dad and let him know what happened. As I left the court I thought about how proud of Eddy I was. This was very hard for him but he did it anyway. I thanked God for taking what the devil would want to use for harm and turning it into an opportunity to bring my friend into a relationship with him.
It’s a new beginning for Eddy, a fresh start. Let’s pray that he continues to make good decisions and plans for his future.
Filed under ABCD, About OIM, Addictions, Assets Based Community Development, Breaking the cycle of poverty, creative arts, Dignity, Events, Homelessness, Justice, justice canada, Passion for Youth art program, Personal Experiences, Poverty, Recovery, Respect, Street Outreach, Street Youth, street youth art program, Street Youth in Canada, Street Youth Ottawa · Tagged with ABCD, Addictions, art therapy, Assets Based Community Development, break cycle poverty, criminal justice system, Dignity, help the poor, Homelessness, homelessness canada, homelessness ontario, homelessness ottawa, jail time, justice system, living on the streets, Make a diference, poverty Canada, poverty ontario, poverty ottawa, Recovery, Respect, Street Outreach, street work, Street Youth, street youth outreach
Posted by ken on July 4, 2011 · Leave a Comment
Our recent youth art show was a hit! Great venue, great art, great food and guests – but there is a dynamic to the whole scenario that surpasses them all! For you ‘bottom liners’, it’s the work of the Master Artist shaping, reforming and molding lives. That is the real deal.
One of the gals with yellow spiked hair took the art group camera and just started taking pictures of people, artwork and activities. Another young man took opportunity to play the guitar and sing. A second guitar was picked up and strummed. One of the girls shared some poetry about life on the street, and another gal sang Janis Joplin’s hit “Lord wontcha buy me a Mercedes Benz.” People from the community mulling and commenting about the art and reviewing its impact. Art hanging from the ceiling, art displayed on the tables, spoken word and song… and then, well you know I’d come back to it, the living art that made the art.
Moving. Stirring. Amazing. All of the above.
One piece in particular grabbed my attention. An old school Polaroid camera with some instructions written and taped near the viewfinder, “Look here.” Another message taped on the side of the camera said, “One picture doesn’t tell the story.” Curiousity aroused, I took a peek.
The viewfinder revealed one photograph of a young man sitting on a curb. No distinctive expression on his face. Nothing particular about his appearance, dressed in shirt and jeans. Not ‘flying a sign’ or cap inviting donations. Just a young man sitting on the curb.
Ah, then I remember the ‘one picture doesn’t tell the story’ line and my mind races forward at light speed. How true, not just of this one young man, but the larger picture (sorry about that) about life. What you see in a moment, what you experience in one interaction, what you can assess or glean from one brief conversation – does not even begin to tell the story.
Then I got angry at myself: how many times have I had the audacity to analyze, scrutinize and evaluate from one brief glimpse, from one short encounter? Far too many for me to recount here. How many times have I made my assessment from one snapshot? Instances started to flood my mind and my head was spinning.
I held the Polaroid at arms’ length, its message penetrating deep into my own soul. I really don’t know much about art, but something was happening here…
The Master Artist was doing a bit of reshaping in me…
Filed under ABCD, About OIM, Assets Based Community Development, Breaking the cycle of poverty, creative arts, Dignity, Events, General Poverty, Homelessness, Miracle on the Streets, Passion for Youth art program, Personal Experiences, Poverty, Poverty in Canada, Recovery, Respect, Street Outreach, Street Youth, street youth art program, Street Youth in Canada, Street Youth Ottawa · Tagged with ABCD, Addictions, Alcoholism, art therapy, Assets Based Community Development, break cycle poverty, Dignity, help the poor, homelessness canada, homelessness ontario, homelessness ottawa, living on the streets, Make a diference, poverty Canada, poverty ottawa, Recovery, Respect, social justice, Street Outreach, street work, street youth outreach
Posted by ken on June 17, 2011 · Leave a Comment
Greg Payne is our volunteer chiropractor at the drop in. He told me a story about an encounter he had with one of our guests, and I asked him to document it. Here is his story. (Name changed, naturally).
Jenny (mid forties) came to the drop-in for her chiropractic adjustment. She complained about a bloated feeling that her Crohns was making a rather symptomatic episode. The day before someone had given her a free lunch at Tim Hortons, but she could not hold it down. She further said she was suffering from intense bleeding and was afraid to leave her house. She had to wear disposable diapers. Her GI MD <gastro intestinal doctor> did an X-ray and told her she had a small bowl obstruction and the bowl had shifted out of place. They admitted her and “stuck tubes in her nose and everywhere” Jenny reported.
I prayed for her, and told her she would do well with her adjustment and that she would be healing.
Two weeks later she returned for another chiropractic adjustment and told me that the day after her adjustment she felt only a little better. But, on the second day following the adjustment she was A LOT better! She returned to the GI MD. He retook the X-rays and said that her small bowl obstruction had gone, that her bowl was in the correct place and “that her Crohn’s or evidence of her Crohn’s had disappeared”!
To this her MD mentioned that it must have been ‘that guy there at the drop-in’, that chiropractor that did it! I told her that it was Jesus who brings the power to heal, but he does work through his people. It certainly was not me.
This is an answer to prayer and totally beyond the power of any man. I am both an observer of what God is doing among the poor, and also an instrument in His hands.
Jenny clearly needed and received immediate aid – the kind her doctors were unable to tend to without invasive strategies. The Lord’s timing is fascinating!
Jenny is still in need of prayer and support – and whereas her symptoms did disappear as confirmed by her physician, she still suffers physically.
However you try to understand the dynamics of this story, it is an amazing testament to the healing power of God.
Filed under ABCD, Assets Based Community Development, Dignity, Drop In Services, Events, General Poverty, Homelessness, Justice, Miracle on the Streets, Personal Experiences, Poverty, Poverty in Canada, Recovery, Respect · Tagged with break cycle poverty, drop in, drop in service, help the poor, Homelessness, homelessness canada, homelessness ontario, homelessness ottawa, poverty Canada, poverty ottawa, Recovery, Respect
Posted by ken on May 20, 2011 · Leave a Comment
Easter Dinner happened May 19th, a couple of weeks after the event . The delay is typical for us, so our folks can enjoy a special meal after the other agencies have held their own event meals days running – sometimes there will be two turkey dinners on the same day!
Maybe one hundred and fifty at two seatings – it all went smoothly. There were many volunteers, great service, greater interaction with our street friends, and seconds of meals and desserts for all who were interested.
Let me highlight one key interaction that was both powerful and profound. There are two young men, maybe 11 and 12 years old, who have been volunteering at our special dinners for several years. They came with both parents this year, and are both comfortable and capable in their service at the dinner.
I was talking with one of our guests, Bill, after the dinner when our two young volunteers walked by, preparing to depart with mom and dad. I stopped to speak with them and asked them how their day went. Fine, they affirmed. I asked if they had opportunity to visit with any of our street friends, and they said they did not have that chance. I thanked them for coming.
Just then Bill, who had overheard our conversation, joined the conversation and had some specific words of encouragement that he delivered to the two boys. He commended them and their parents for coming out to volunteer and help serve the meal. It was very special to have young people learn how to serve others at an early age he said, and it really meant a lot to him (particularly) and to all the guests (generally) to know that others cared. He spoke sincere words of appreciation and thanks to the young men, and again thanked them for caring.
I could sense Bill’s words carried a great deal of weight as the boys looked up and eagerly listened to this ‘rounder’ (been around a long time) as he expressed his gratitude. It was very real and genuine, and the boys could sense his sincerity. Although the conversation lasted only a few moments, it will be a conversation that the boys may never forget.
It is also typical of volunteers’ interactions with our street friends: no matter how convinced volunteers are that they come to encourage, minister and help, they learn quickly that they are often the recipients of the encouragement, ministry and blessing.
I think it is a principle of the Kingdom. A reversal of the world’s values and expectations. The greatest will be the least, the servant will be the master.
Happy Easter – every day!
Filed under Addictions, Alcoholism, Breaking the cycle of poverty, Dignity, Drop In Services, Events, General Poverty, Homelessness, Personal Experiences, Poverty, Poverty in Canada, Respect, Social, Volunteer Ottawa, Volunteering · Tagged with break cycle poverty, Dignity, drop in, drop in service, help the poor, homelessness canada, homelessness ontario, homelessness ottawa, living on the streets, Make a diference, poverty Canada, poverty ontario, poverty ottawa, Respect, social justice
Posted by ken on March 11, 2011 · Leave a Comment
March winds blow, or it pours rain, minus 30 with the wind chill – or any combination thereof. Only in Canada, eh?
We can look forward to spring, but it seems a long time coming.
No less for our street friends – not that’s the understatement of the year.
Christmas is a time typically when there is a generous outpouring of love and generosity to those on the streets and we are thankful for this. But what about after Christmas?
Maybe we don’t think about it all that much, but the winter is a misery when you are on the move all the time, with no place to rest your usually wet, cold, freezing feet. The laundromat is usually a good place, but it is often the case that the proprietors of the same are on the lookout for people who don’t wash their clothes. The laundromat just beside our offfice entance is a good example. It is common for the police to be called to this place, because some of Ottawa’s homeless population need a warm place.
In extreme cold -whatever that is- I guess it depends on whether or not you are in the cold all the time . Street-engaged people are herded up and forced to go ‘inside’ (not the Chateau Laurier). This experience can be worse that staying outside, because it is yet another violation of their persons (the force that can accompany can be excessive) – there are reasons why people cannot access services.
I guess I’m painting a pretty dark, bleak picture. A bit negative, eh? But it is what it is – I’m pretty sure about that.
What then? Well, don’t forget about those on the streets, even when the weather has some degree of improvement: the nights are still very cold.
Why not think about doing something about this problem? You could contact one of the local agencies in your city and volunteer to do something. Maybe you could give something – time, talents or money. Stop and talk to someone you pass who is panhandling on the streets: you would be surprised how ‘invisible’ someone can become as soon as they sit on a curb with a ball cap and ask for money. Give or not, it’s up to you, but you need to see that this is a real person, with a real story, he/she is where she is, not from choice, but from a cascade of trouble that they could do nothing to change (it usually begins with childhood abuse – how can we hold someone responsible for that?)
Give some change if you like – better a bill. Once you give, forget about what will happen to it. We hold people so very responsible for so little, when we are so careless with the treasures with which we have been blessed.
One thing for sure: we really can’t do nothing about this. In our affluence, remember the poor.
Make a difference. Go out there and change your world.
Filed under About OIM, Addictions, Alcoholism, Breaking the cycle of poverty, Dignity, General Poverty, Homelessness, Injustice, Justice, justice canada, mental health, mental illness, Personal Experiences, Poverty, Poverty in Canada, Recovery, Respect, Volunteer Ottawa, Volunteering · Tagged with Addictions, Alcoholism, break cycle poverty, Dignity, drop in, drop in service, injustice Ontario, Make a diference, poverty Canada, poverty ottawa, Respect, social justice, Street Outreach, Street Youth, Volunteer, Volunteering, walk the streets
Posted by ken on March 4, 2011 · Leave a Comment
Big transition of our drop in this past week from Salvation Army Gladstone Street to Dominion Chalmers U/C on Lisgar. For those who aren’t aware of this prestigous United Church, have a look at photos at http://www.dc-church.org/ A remarkable, extrememly well kept, renovated, bright, cheery place – exactly the kind of place that our street friends deserve to come into for a meal, refreshment and friendship.
Switching from Wednesday to Tuesday and the first of the month when all the cheques are out, and when it is absolutely beautiful and sunny, attendance was a bit low. But, every person is important, and our gift is to come alongside those who are given to us on any day.
I had seen Jacques several times but never had a chance to sit and visit until today. Add to that, Jacques can neither hear nor speak. So I sat across the table and tried to communicate, thinking he might read lips or we could have some sort of communication. He clearly indicated some things to me, one of which was he was not interested in trying to communicate with me (at least in my clumsy manner). I was at a loss, until I looked at the white napkin in front of me, and then caught a glimpse of a pen that my neighbour had placed next to her book. DUH!!
I picked up the pen and napkin and wrote a sentence of welcome.
The transformation was immediate and eagerly accepted. After a few pen exchanges, I went and found some loose leaf and we spent the next while going back and forth, writing like we were age old friends.
Jacques told me days, dates and years of significant events in his life. We talked about the drop in and answered questions that he had since he came through our doors some time ago. Of where he lived, how it was hard to live on ODSP, how old he was, where he was raised and more…
It was refreshing, even exhilerating! I had a friend to talk with, and so did he.
We get so busy with things – and I would be one of the worst offenders. This and that call for immediate attention and we can neglect or overlook the gifts of beauty in the people around us. This is clearly my story with Jacques.
I wonder who the deaf and dumb one really is.
I don’t know why I didn’t think of writing before, but I am thank God that I thought of it this week.
And I thank God for my new friend – my note pal.
I wonder what riches we will uncover as we develop our friendship? I am really looking forward to more.
God help us to slow down and see the opportunities that present themselves to all of us each day.
Filed under About OIM, Biblical, Breaking the cycle of poverty, Dignity, Drop In Services, Events, General Poverty, Justice, justice canada, Miracle on the Streets, Personal Experiences, Poverty, Poverty in Canada, Respect · Tagged with break cycle poverty, Dignity, drop in, drop in service, help the poor, Homelessness, homelessness canada, homelessness ontario, homelessness ottawa, Make a diference, poverty Canada, poverty ottawa, Respect, social justice
Posted by ken on February 25, 2011 · 1 Comment
I sat at the table with three guys at the drop in this week, just starting a hot game of euchre, when Rod asked if he could please ask a question. Everybody looked. “Sure,” I said.
Rod looked at me intently. We were in relationship for a while now, long enough for him to feel comfortable: “Why don’t you pray here at the drop in before meals?”
“Good question,” I replied and went on to explain that whereas we were a Christian agency, that we did pray before each drop in, that many times our volunteers prayed with people throughout the day, and that the servers prayed over the meal before serving, that we did not pray publically before meals because there would be a small percentage of our guests for whom that would be a problem. Some of our folks have been abused by ‘religious’ people, whether at residential schools, or their home towns or somewhere along the story path of their lives. Any kind of prayer for some of our guests, would make them feel very uncomfortable. For the sake of the few, we decided to forgo this common practice.
We continued to talk and enjoyed a good conversation about prayer, people and respect. The whole table became involved in fact, and the other guys felt free sharing their opinions as well (it was the first time for one of the guys to open up and talk in front of me).
The boys had been having some conversations about how other agencies require them to ‘be a part’ of a worship experience for about 40 minutes, then listen to a sermon for another 30 minutes, and then they were allowed to eat. They felt pretty strongly that there was something wrong with this system, and some definite lack of respect for people who were hungry and wanting something to eat.
I defended the particular agency to the guys, because we all know that there is just too much to be done in this world to help others, and people are doing what they think is best when they run a program.
There was talk then about how the worship/preaching/eating group never asked them what they wanted. You couldn’t play cards, and there was no time to visit or talk really, because the music was too loud during ‘worship’, or you couldn’t speak during the sermon time. The food was really good and always fresh, and when you’re hungry, that means a lot. The whole table agreed that the food was great.
I started to be at a loss for words right about then, but really came up with a big zero when Rod leaned across the table, and thoughtfully (and sincerely) asked me, “Do you think they are doing this for us or for them?”
Are we doing this for us or for them?
Million dollar question! A question that deserves serious consideration, or meditation, or maybe even some prayer time. Who are we doing this for? Is it to make us feel better, less guilty, more ‘loving’?
Or is it because ‘the love of God compels us’ to reach out to others?
Wisdom from the streets calls us to examine ourselves, our motives and our hearts.
Now everything has shifted: it’s not about the worship/preaching/eating group – it’s about me.
Filed under About OIM, Biblical, Breaking the cycle of poverty, Dignity, Drop In Services, Events, General Poverty, Homelessness, Justice, Poverty, Poverty in Canada, Recovery, Respect · Tagged with break cycle poverty, drop in, drop in service, help the poor, Homelessness, homelessness canada, homelessness ontario, homelessness ottawa, living on the streets, poverty ontario, Recovery, Respect
Posted by ken on January 27, 2011 · Leave a Comment
We were eating lunch when about twelve taps at the door came, softly, rhythmically and then stopped. We looked at each other and guessed it was the one of our guys that always came when we were closed. “Pete, for sure,” and we agreed.
We opened the door to find Rachel, a twenty something native Canadian with a three inch gash over her right temple, blood not fresh, but not old either. “I had no where to go. I couldn’t find anybody. I didn’t know what to do, so I came here.”
We ushered her in, sat her down and started to tend to her wound. There was more: a bicycle pedal imprint over her right knee where she had been thrown, sore ribs and bruises on her body where she had been kicked and punched.
“I don’t know why I get guys that beat me up,” she said softly, between tears. “I left my last boyfriend for this very reason. I just found out I am a month pregnant. What am I going to do?”
“You did the right thing to come to us,” we comforted her.
We cleaned the wound and bandaged it – thankfully it didn’t need stitches – this time. She spoke so softly, as if her every word, let alone her presence with us was, as she thought, was such an intrusion.
“I couldn’t find Benny or Smitty or Lally, or anybody. I had nowhere else to go. I didn’t know what to do,” she said again, and then broke into muffled sobs.
As I watched, Erin put down the towel, and wrapped her arms around Rachel, and held her. The sobs turned to a moaning and deep sobbing from areas of pain deep within. She melted into Erin’s embrace, now just a little girl, all alone, with some pretty big problems.
“There, there,” Erin whispered, “You’re Ok with us. You are safe here.” And she held her.
That’s it. That’s what OIM is all about – somewhere and someone to whom you can run when the bottom falls out of life. A safe place where someone who cares will hold you when the whole world is crashing around you. Where you have a name. Where you can share your pain, and know that another human being really does care. Where, for not-enough-minutes-at-a-time, you can have a family again.
Moments of time etched on our minds, some of which will not be soon forgotten. When something we do seems to make a whole lot of sense, in a world which doesn’t make sense at all. If we never did another single, solitary thing for the rest of forever, we were there – and we are here – for Rachel.
Filed under Addictions, Alcoholism, Biblical, Breaking the cycle of poverty, Dignity, General Poverty, Homelessness, Justice, justice canada, Personal Experiences, Poverty, Poverty in Canada, Respect, Social · Tagged with biblical justice, break cycle poverty, Dignity, help the poor, homelessness canada, homelessness ontario, homelessness ottawa, injustice Canada, Make a diference, poverty Canada, poverty ontario, poverty ottawa, Respect, social justice, Street Youth
