I'm not big on posting links that I find online, but had to make an exception in this case.
My friend and I had a conversation this afternoon that really struck me. She suffered through an abusive childhood, and as a result of shabby clothing (due to neglect, not lack of funds)--unkempt hair and hygiene and her overly shy nature, she was teased and tormented by children throughout her school years.
Today she was reminded of how much worse it could have been when she drove by a local homeless shelter and saw the school bus there picking up kids for school.
"I can't imagine how they get tormented," she said.
I'd like nothing more than to believe that's not the case, but sadly I'm afraid what she said is likely true. Kids can be incredibly cruel to other children with the things they say.
That's why this article online via USA Today struck me as such a creative and generous idea.
I hope you learn something from it. I did.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2009-05-21-homeless_N.htm?csp=34
recommend this
email
print
link to this page
Comments: 22
What a great story. I feel terrible for Justin in what he is going through.
Kimberly, around the holidays I did an article about free or really inexpensive things you could do to help people in need. Alot of people just commented "I cannot afford it.". Alot of people have clothes in good shape their kids (or they) don't wear anymore. We wear them to death around here, but I always donated my mom's things to a battered women's shelter. The shelter around here sets up women with low cost housing ($10.00 for a townhouse!), they could probably use kitchen utensils etc. people could get from the dollar store. Alot of people do not realize how something like that can be such a blessing to someone else. I realize I am a little off-topic, but you just made me think of this.
I don't think we realize how fortunate we are, and how even in light of a recession there are people far worse off than we are. I like your ideas, Chana!
That is a great story.
My daughter works with homeless teenagers. I have worked for women's organizations almost my whole working life, trying to implement systemic change.
I also have clothed many people and fed them from my refrigerator and furnished their homes from my home.
Really, what do I need? I have more than enough and I'm grateful.
Some people don't know how lucky they are and that they should share.
I think you and I are a lot alike, Sharon. I can't count the number of times I've fed, clothed, housed, etc., and I know I haven't seen the last of it. How else will people survive if we don't all help one another?
I know where the young homeless are coming from. It takes innovation to keep from letting others know the situation. I was homeless and living on the streets when I was 15...for quite awhile. I raided Salvation Army donation boxes for clean clothes. They might not have been the most stylish, but they were clean for the most part...and I always had a different wardrobe. I stayed in school and kept things a secret from everyone. I used the locker room to shower and clean up. No one even knew I was going without food. I lived in a cardboard box along the river and no one knew that was my 'home'. I never really got picked on because people didn't know my situation. I lied to keep the fact hidden. I made it...and never want to go back there again. It was embarrassing and no one helped for the most part. In all that time, I can remember only two who ever showed me kindness. One classman would sneak me out a cheese sandwich once in a great while. The town cops let me sleep on a couch in their office one night when they found me huddled in a corner on the post office stairs during a bad snowstorm. I basically took care of myself the best I could and never let onto anyone in the world the situation I was in. It would have been nice if people had cared, but I knew they didn't, so i never let onto what I was up against. Funny how all these years later, I'm not in much better shape now.
You're a man with compassion, Rob. You turned out way better than many who had it easy. Times are tough for you right now, but I believe with everything inside of me that you'll make your mark on this world in a very positive way.
you are so right about this. I know Pentecostal people who claim they know the most about what is "good" and won't give a thing anybody else. They store up things and then have a yard sale rather than trying to find people who can't even afford yard sales.
Justin's mom sounds resourceful, and because of her, and people who care, Justin has hope for a better life. And how wonderful that he has access to the unconditional love of a kitty. Thanks for sharing this story.
I gave a bunch of stuff away before I moved. And I just gave the last of my excess canned food away two weeks ago.
A fistful of hope.
Kids are cruel, not that adults arent' but adults hide it whereas kids do not.
Featured in the Triple Name Club.
Great idea -- thanks for posting this! My mom suffered a lot of mistreatment because she was an out-of-wedlock birth. We sure need more compassion because it just as easily could have been one of us in these kind of unfortunate circumstances. And it should bring us closer together when we see what came before us. And think of the great feeling you get when you do help out!
im glad they have enough stregnth to go to school
I thank you for your post.
Kimberly, this is a great post because most people don't realize that there is a need or how to help. Out here, near Chicago, there is a huge community for homeless children that has group homes with several live in parents and they even have their own school.
It is a great program that takes in a lot of students and it is so well run and respected-- it really is an incredible place. Before everything happened with my family I considered applying as a parent. There are usually four to a home depending on the ages and number of kids in each home, but they have several houses in each subdivision just like you normally would and each child gets their own room and is raised by his parents.
What a heartwarming story. I believe that when you need, you should take and when you have, you should give. There are many times in the past I relied on the help and kindness of strangers and was so very blessed to receive it. Now I remember that kindness and give as much as I can. Nothing goes to waste around here. Old clothes go to the church, leftover food goes to a hungry disabled bachelor and outgrown toys are given to friends who don't have. Change is donated as well as proceeds from lemonade stands. It's so important to help each other, it makes the difference between having hope and losing it.
I count my blessings everyday that, even as a single mother, I was able to provide for my childre, There were times that we struggled, but we had food on the table, clothes on our backs and a roof over our head.
I think that the school is a wonderful idea. These children can spend their time learning instead of avoiding situations that are hurtful and unhealthy (bullying, teasing, etc.)