Giving Thanks

I was sitting on a stoop this past August with some friends, and a older man sauntered by. He toted a frayed duffel bag holding all his possessions. Nestled on top rested a 40 of beer wrapped in a paper bag. I'll call him T. We sang some Al Green tunes together, and he told us he slept in the car lot around the corner. T was a cheery, kind man. Unfortunately, most people would quicken their pace to walk by him. Try to get away. Avert their eyes.

During this season of gratitude, I want to give thanks for T. He reminded me that there are victims of "chronic" homelessness that most would deem lost causes. I believe T would fit into this category. I'm thankful for the fleeting moment we shared, that I could glimpse his humanity and remember not to give up. T's been on the street for years, most likely as a result of poor decisions and some un-asked-for circumstances. That's the past, he's developed his own status quo, but there is still hope for him. I'm not giving up. As Al green sings, "Everything's gunna be all right." I will never deny the idealist feelings that bubble below my epidermis, and I encourage you to search for similar sentiments dwelling within your person.

In the spirit of thanksgiving for T, I'd like to share some words I scratched out this year. A little holiday thank you note if you will, read to my family before the food disappeared.


here we are, family
each with our spot
plates brimming with harvest's best

here we are, family
each with our hearts
full of love, making pain seem small

here we are, family
each giving thanks
that we have each other

we have our mothers
we have our fathers
we have memories of moments gone by
cherished, remembered forever

we have our brothers
we have our sisters
we have memories of moments gone by
cherished, remembered forever

we have our daughters
we have our sons
we have memories of moments gone by
cherished, remembered forever

we have our aunts, uncles
we have our grams, grampies
we have memories of moments gone by
cherished, remembered forever

we have Haley
a true gift of thanks
we have memories of moments gone by
cherished, remembered forever

how lucky we are
to have each other
to have reason for thanks

today we remember the ones whose tummy's are empty
the ones society has forgotten to care for
the older man who spent last night in a car lot
and now clutches his paper bag, the only friend he thinks he has

we remember the young mother and her little boy
who spend tonight in a shelter
and smile, because yes, they have each other

most of all, we remember the ones who've forgotten
forgotten that there are things to be thankful for

i'm thankful for each one of you
our times together may be few
but they remind us that our family
is built on love and undying commitment
undying faith in one another

so as we eat this meal,
let us be thankful when
matt cracks his usual hilarious joke
let us be thankful
when gram's still moving food with her fork...two hours later
let us be thankful
when we all topple on the couch, typical tryptophan victims

let us be thankful
and finally, let us eat!

Ideas for Social Change

Americorps VISTA Gathering. 11.03.09.

Thoughts on critical issues facing Rhode Island and how we can be change-makers.

Food for Thought

Turkeys in Pawtucket, Project Hope in the news...

"Too young to rent a hotel room..."

Photo Cred: Dave White - News 1130

Unable to access healthcare without a guardian's signature..

Too young to apply for a job...

Anxious, cold, roofless...

Dirty socks and no tub to take a bath...

Sleeping through school because dozing only feels safe in sunlight...

According to an article by New York Times writer Michael Urbina, we shouldn't be surprised to see an increase in amber alerts as our nation cyclones through its current financial turmoil.


Read it: Recession Drives Surge in Youth Runaways - New York Times

The chart below shows the rise of homeless youth in Rhode Island between 1999 and 2007. The figures jumped from 75 to 330 in just under ten years. With our current rocky economy, my guess is that numbers have only skyrocketed since then. The Rhode Island Emergency Shelter system denies entry to youth between the ages of 13-17 if not accompanied by an adult.

Source: Rhode Island Emergency Shelter Information Project, Annual Reports 1999-2007

Where do these young people turn?

YES WE WILL

photo cred: http://yeswewill.eventbrite.com/




Yes we will grow healthy communities!

Yes we will build affordable housing!

Yes we will end homelessness!




Join Project Hope/Proyecto Esperanza at the YES WE WILL conference this Monday, sponsored by the Rhode Island Coalition for the Homeless out of Pawtucket.

Click for more details...