With a small group, I got to volunteer at a local homeless shelter called The Rescue Mission. A program and shelter that works to combat hunger and homelessness, The Rescue Mission hopes to strengthen communities. By providing each individual with food, shelter, and clothing, The Rescue Mission is the impetus to getting people back on their feet.
On the drive up to the shelter, we stopped at a local thrift shop, the Thrifty Shopper. Consumers (yes, people like you!) can donate gently used merchandise to the store, which will sell the goods to those in the community. As a volunteer at the Thrifty Shopper, we helped organize clothing and sort used merchandise. Volunteering at Thrifty Shopper, I learned that thrift stores are not all that bad. You know, there are numerous preconceived notions about thrift shops, such as they are stores for the poor and the quality is lacking. But that is not the case; for, customers who come to thrift stores are just like you. I can say that through my volunteer experiences at the Thrifty Shopper, I have met some of the friendliest customers. Everyone who came into the store was not afraid to say "hello" to us --- they were so approachable and conversational.
Afterwards, we continued our drive to the shelter. Once there, I immediately saw the stereotypes of homeless shelters come to life. The people lacked smiles on their faces, the streets were bare as if they were dark alleyways, and the various areas of the shelter were gated and closed off. One of the first tasks we were assigned to do was sort bags and bags (and bags) of donated clothing, some of which would be used as Christmas gifts during the holidays. Then, we took the sorted clothing and carried them down to a nearby Thrifty Shopper. We worked as sales associates on the third day, helping to organize, sell, and interact with customers.
On the last day, we were offered the opportunity to serve breakfast to the members. Serving food turned out to be a lot of fun. The meals we served disregarded society's preconceived notions of homeless shelters; for, the food was enjoyable. We served foods such as bread, fresh fruit, coffee, and juice. After we finished serving, we got to enjoy the meals for ourselves (yep, the same exact meal we had just served!).
Spending four days at a homeless shelter gave me a new perspective on life. I realized that the members of the shelter were, in fact, hard-working citizens who took a wrong turn on their path to success. The people had incredible stories to tell. Rather than ignoring us and pushing us away during our meal, many allowed us to sit with them and converse with them. One guy told us to "stay in school" and "make our parents proud." That statement got to me. He shared with us the ways he is working to turn his life around, informing us that it is shelters like The Rescue Mission that give people hope. Before leaving, he shot us a smile and thanked us for our efforts.
I felt touched. All of my stereotypes about homeless shelters, and its members, diminished. The fact that the shelter acts as a stepping stone for its members and the community is absolutely amazing. While serving, the people were incredibly grateful and I am glad that I got the opportunity to enjoy a meal with them. Hearing some of their stories allowed me to reflect on my own life. After living in a homeless shelter, I am extremely blessed with my life. Each day, I think about this mission trip and see the world in more perspectives than one. The clothes that I wear daily, the food that I am blessed to eat, the family and friends that I have beside me, and the daily activities I perform, all allow me to live a cherished life.
The advice of that man will always stick with me; for, I will continue to work hard to make my parents proud, striving towards my own success, as well as that of those in the community.
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| Me and the volunteer crew |
Afterwards, we continued our drive to the shelter. Once there, I immediately saw the stereotypes of homeless shelters come to life. The people lacked smiles on their faces, the streets were bare as if they were dark alleyways, and the various areas of the shelter were gated and closed off. One of the first tasks we were assigned to do was sort bags and bags (and bags) of donated clothing, some of which would be used as Christmas gifts during the holidays. Then, we took the sorted clothing and carried them down to a nearby Thrifty Shopper. We worked as sales associates on the third day, helping to organize, sell, and interact with customers.
On the last day, we were offered the opportunity to serve breakfast to the members. Serving food turned out to be a lot of fun. The meals we served disregarded society's preconceived notions of homeless shelters; for, the food was enjoyable. We served foods such as bread, fresh fruit, coffee, and juice. After we finished serving, we got to enjoy the meals for ourselves (yep, the same exact meal we had just served!).
Spending four days at a homeless shelter gave me a new perspective on life. I realized that the members of the shelter were, in fact, hard-working citizens who took a wrong turn on their path to success. The people had incredible stories to tell. Rather than ignoring us and pushing us away during our meal, many allowed us to sit with them and converse with them. One guy told us to "stay in school" and "make our parents proud." That statement got to me. He shared with us the ways he is working to turn his life around, informing us that it is shelters like The Rescue Mission that give people hope. Before leaving, he shot us a smile and thanked us for our efforts.
I felt touched. All of my stereotypes about homeless shelters, and its members, diminished. The fact that the shelter acts as a stepping stone for its members and the community is absolutely amazing. While serving, the people were incredibly grateful and I am glad that I got the opportunity to enjoy a meal with them. Hearing some of their stories allowed me to reflect on my own life. After living in a homeless shelter, I am extremely blessed with my life. Each day, I think about this mission trip and see the world in more perspectives than one. The clothes that I wear daily, the food that I am blessed to eat, the family and friends that I have beside me, and the daily activities I perform, all allow me to live a cherished life.
The advice of that man will always stick with me; for, I will continue to work hard to make my parents proud, striving towards my own success, as well as that of those in the community.
Photo credit: http://donatinsstatic.ebay.com/extend/logos/MF10858.jpg; the last two photos are my own (c)SaraKim
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