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My FMC Experience

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Today was wonderful and blessed day over all, and it all started at 7 am when the Father McKenna Center opened to the men. We got to meet some wonderful men with various backgrounds, stories, and paths of life. Hearing their stories was life changing for me, I would be never guessed what some of these men have gone through or what they have accomplished in their lives. Many of the men are well educated with degrees in various subjects such as history, law, and business. Hearing these stories made me think about what I have in life and that I need to more than ever thankful for what I have and where I'm at today on my path through life because this terrible thing called homelessness can become reality to me, you, and anyone else in this world. Along with serving these wonderful, exciting, interesting men we got to conduct a survey with them to get their feedback on the FMC. After lunch we went out as a group to explore the capital by visiting the Washington memorial, Lincoln memorial, the Vietnam wall memorial, union station, and other places as well. Looking back on this day, reflecting on what I saw, what I heard, and we have done as a group for these men, I am very grateful and blessed to a part of their lives; hopefully making a meaningful difference for them, making them smile, and giving them someone that can just sit down and chat with without the worry of being judged, looked down upon, and not seen for who they really are, human beings. I wouldn't change this day for anything in the world. If I could I would do it again. 

From the bottom of my heart,
Ilya Khakrovskiy 

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