Hi there, it’s
Janna. Can I just say that even spending just one day here has already been so transformative!
Everyone I’ve met has touched my life in some way with their amazing stories.
Listening to Cortez give a talk to the guys about attitude, and seeing how they
all contributed their thoughts was really inspiring. It’s evident that the
people working here really care about the men, and the men really care for each
other and us. Many of the people I got to chat with one-on-one talked about the
plans they have, and how they are working each and every day to get back to
where they want to be in their lives. That to me was moving to hear, since the
common conception is that many homeless individuals aren’t doing anything to
better their situation. I found this to be completely untrue, as many of the
men were students, or had job offers coming in. Overall, each person had a
unique story to tell, and they all wanted to give each one of us a piece of
their wisdom. I can’t wait to meet more people throughout the week, and to get to
know everyone a little more. The Father McKenna Center is far more than just a meeting
place, it is a place of hope and a sanctuary.
Today, we continued our mission in deepening our understanding of ourselves, each other, and the problems that poverty and inequality bring. Our day began as usual; sleepy-eyed and ready to help the Father McKenna center in any way possible. Our duties included cooking the meal and serving it, cleaning the center, organizing the pantries, and generally trying to make ourselves useful and helpful. While very important, these tasks were not the catalyst in the change that we experienced today; through talking to the many guests at the McKenna center, to those who live on the street, and to those who were willing to share their life with us, we have begun to break down the divide between “us and them.” And we have realized that we are not so different after all. While the magnitude of our problems might be different, it is what we share that makes us one family of brothers and sisters. From the infections laughter, to the stories of our homes, to our losses of our loved ones, or to the si...
Comments
Post a Comment