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Homeless children in DC
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Anonymous
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Hi - I just wanted to share a moving experience I had yesterday volunteering at Bright Beginnings childcare shelter in DC. Bright Beginnings is a child and family development center that offers a daycare for homeless infants, toddlers and preschoolers, and their families. They serve about 186 children annually whose families are living in crisis shelters or transitional housing.
I went with my company to volunteer for a few hours at the playground, serving lunch and getting ready for naps. When I first walked onto the playground I was rushed by a 3 year old girl who gave me a giant hug and asked my name! Followed by her, another, and another. The kids were not “on the street” homeless but homeless in a sense that they live night to night with an aunt, sister, friend, whatever and then spend their days at this daycare shelter while their parents either work or look for work. I made some fast friends but it was sad to see kids with clothes that really didn’t fit (pants falling off and no belt, etc.) and just ones that were scared, new to center, upset, etc. It was heart breaking, and made me want to run home and hug my kids, but felt like doing good overall. It also made me appreciate how privileged the majority of children are that do not have to live this way, in DC and throughout most of Europe and the US. They are looking for donations and more volunteers and require a TB screening and background check for recurrant volunteers. http://www.brightbeginningsinc.org/ |
Anonymous
I think you are wonderful and it's terrific that your in touch with kids less fortunate. Thank you for sharing and leaving the website. I was in South America for a couple weeks last summer and was also moved because kids were coming up begging for money and it really does open your eyes. Your terrific. |
Anonymous
| OP here: Thank you! That's nice of you to say. Honestly I still feel kind of tearful about the whole thing but do think its an important cause and the more able people can help, it definitely does not go to waste. Aside from kids clothing donations, the Moms apparently need it to and are very appreciative of the help. |
Anonymous
| It's been awhile, but a few years back I also volunteered at Bright Horizons. It was an amazing experience. |
Anonymous
I'm the Pp. I would be happy to help. My emai is eric_knaus@yahoo.com Email me so we don't have to use the forum to discuss it. Thanks. |
Anonymous
| OP: sure, Eric will do. Thanks for reaching out. |
Anonymous
| Thanks for posting this story. |
Anonymous
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Thank you so much for posting this. These kids are no different than our own - it's just the luck of the draw what kind of situation you are born into (not saying it's the fault of the parents either of course). I plan to donate and volunteer and see how our firm can get involved.
And to Eric (I think aka the Great Zucchini)...your offer to help brought tears to my eyes and helped restore my faith in mankind. Hats off to you, my friend. |
Anonymous
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Just to put this in perspective: Today over one million CHILDREN in the US experience homelessness each year -- and the numbers continue to climb. While we typically don't see homeless families on the street in the metro area, there are homeless families living in shelters and housing programs, motels and campers, and doubled (sometimes tripled up) in apartments in DC, MD and VA -- as well as all across the US. Despite the stereotypes many folks have of homeless people, I can assure you that no one wants to be homeless and live on the streets. I applaud your efforts to raise awareness and advocacy, and I encourage other DCUM moms and dads to support organizations working to end homelessness in their communities. Most organizations have "wish lists" for desperately needed items. Because most organizations do not have a lot of space for storage, I suggest you contact organizations directly to determine their needs and capabilities before dropping off clothing, etc. Finally, most organizations prefer financial donations since it allows them to funnel the money to meet their most pressing needs. Thanks again for bringing up this important issue!
Amy |
Anonymous
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And just some more perspective:
The waiting list for section 8 vouchers (now called housing choice) in DC can be 8-10 years long. The waiting list for shelters in DC is routinely 350 people/families today. Just because a family is homeless - with literally no place to go - doesn't mean they'll get a shelter space. It is disheartening and frustrating - for the families and the service providers. (and yet we have a beautiful new stadium. Don't get me started on that one.) |
Anonymous
Great point. The other thing I think sometimes in society it's easier to just look the other way when you see a homeless person. I ask everyone to try and put the human aspect behind the person next time you see a homeless person. It's reactionary to just think he needs to get a job, but once you fall off your feet, it's not that easy. Some of these people, have college degrees, but somewhere they just fell off their feet. They can't just walk in and get a job because they have no starting ground, no change of clothes or place to live. Paychecks don't come right away, so what do they do in the mean time trying to make a good first impression. Not even a place to shower sometimes. Its a circular pattern that is hard for them to get out of. Great awareness post this was. Thanks again. Also, I think sometimes society says were not reaching in our pockets because they will just use it for alcohol. Believe me, some need it for food and use it for food. Homeless people deal with sterotypes also and to say they all use to drink, is definately not fair. |
Anonymous
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OP again: Thank you for the thoughtful posts and help spreading awareness on this important topic.
FYI - - Bright Beginnings is also looking for toothpaste, tooth brushes, and bubbles! I'm happy to say the kids did eat a very balanced lunch while I was there and also brushed their teeth thereafter. The people there work very hard to keep these kids healthy and safe, some them working until 11:30 pm (latest pick-up time for parents). |
Anonymous
| do you know if you can volunteer on weekends or evenings? Would love to help out in some way but I am at work all day...... |
Anonymous
| I volunteer for a group that tutors DC public school children (K-8) who are homeless. The tutoring is in the evenings from 6:30 to 8:00 pm in different locations in DC each weeknight. Tutoring these kids always keeps me grounded and thankful for the opportunities my own son has. Tutors help with homework or just read with the kids. If anyone is interested in volunteering the website is www.projectnorthstar.org. |
Anonymous
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Gosh, I hope I don't start some sort of vitriol-spewing war here, but...
Do the PPs who volunteer their time ever feel a little weird about it? The few times I've done anything like that, I get this bad white-mans-burden vibe, like here I am, all white and mighty, ministering to the poor downtrodden brown kids (or adults, I've done that, too). I don't think that way about other people who volunteer. I admire them, and wish I could get over my self-consciousness. But I can't imagine how the recipients of this kind of assistance don't view it negatively on some level. I wish there were a way I could help, besides writing checks, but I always feel like the recipients are seeing me as an intruder, a self-important do-gooder with no connection to them and their daily reality. On the one hand, I guess I don't really get what other populations go through. On the other, I believe strongly that we all need to help each other if the world is ever going to get any better. So I work for a humanitarian aid organization, in a back office, where I never come into contact with any of our aid recipients. And now I'm rambling. But it's a sincere question that's been bothering me for a long time. I'd welcome your thoughts on how to avoid this complex. If I've explained it well enough, that is. **cowering from the incoming flames** |