Be Kind

Hello Everyone! 

Today I wanted to take the time to talk to you all about something that has been put on my heart recently. No fear, I will be back with the girly things next time! 

Recently it was brought to my attention that I needed some volunteering hours for my resume, portfolio, college career, ect. I knew I had to do this, but did not want to be in the position of feeling like I had to, but wanted to. I contacted our local homeless shelter and was put in for training almost immediately as they needed the help. At first I wasn't so sure. 

I am a very lucky girl and have a super supportive boyfriend who agreed to do this with me. We arrived for our first shift and in just those few short hours my heart was invested. These people needed us. They need more than us. They need a lot, right down to things we often look over. I found myself getting shampoo out of the storage closet and thinking to myself how humbling it must be to stand in front of someone and explain that in order to take a shower they need a tiny bottle of soap to get by. 

Just think about it. You walk through your home to the bathroom with no thought at all and take a long, warm shower. These 30+ people are sharing one shower, planning time to do so, and then having to ask for the necessary items too. 

My heart did not only ache here. It ached at the small children wondering around behind their parents who do not have a backyard to play in. Or the school age ones who are on the bus first and off last so the other students don't have to know where they live. 

You may have your opinions, the ones that say, "Well anyone can get a job, go get one." or "Just apply for state assistance." "They did that to themselves."

Let me tell you, it is not that easy for them or the shelter. The shelter has very limited resources. These people do not have a car to jump into and drive to the nearest DHS office, apply for jobs, or get to a grocery store. Some of them don't even have the education to know the correct steps and need some extra support learning how to live, whether it be from an abusive relationship or hard times throughout their entire life. The shelter is trying to help everyone they can, but with only one a day a week for a person to come from the housing commission, it's just not that easy. And what if they don't want to depend on state assistance? 

These people are human. Just like you and me. They have made mistakes, they have fallen on tough times but that does not give us any right to dehumanize them, put them down, or think we know what they are going through.  

They need our love, our kind words, our support. They need a smile, maybe even a hug. 

My heart has been filled by these people who truly appreciate me. Thanking me for coming and giving my time, especially because there have been times this winter when the shelter did not have any volunteers available for a shift, so everyone had to leave. 

I find myself going to the shelter when I am not "working". I go to see how their days were, how things are going in their searches for jobs, housing, and how their mental health is holding up. They are more than homeless to me. They are loving humans who know how to give love and most importantly receive it. 

The moral of the story, be nice. You never know what people are going through. 

Until next time, xoxo

Once I have my voice back I will be putting up a video on my Youtube channel for you to learn more about me! Until then, here's last weeks video. Thanks for your continuing support! xoxo

Click here ---> Last weeks video!