She's artistic; she's hurting and she's surviving. Blond, fifty-something and tearful, she's the friend of the woman that got run over by the bus a couple or three months ago. She says, " You know her; she's been here before, maybe for clothes." She says her (the deceased) name and I try to put a face with the name. Not possible, there have been so many like her who have come in and out of my life. Yet, I feel her. She's at Emancipation Station right now-- maybe twelve or fifteen of her--trying to right herself from the wrongs done to her--sometimes with her consent.
She says, "Sex doesn't mean anything to me except money, or a place to say or...." She says, my dream therapist told me to wake up and get up and write my night terrors and I remembered." What she remembered gave me a sadness, knowing that the prostitution, the drugs, the tears were not hers alone but the tears of so many others that have come in and out of my life. She says, "I was lying in the bed and hands were touching me--my uncles hands--and I let him do to me to keep him from doing it to my sister who was lying on the other side. And she let him do it to her to save me. I was her savior and she was mine.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Long story--Short
She is ecstatic! Homeless 20 years, she's a heartbeat away from shelter. You may wonder why it took 20 years for one to receive shelter. Long story-short, you got to want it. When she came into the office today, her arms outstretched for a hug, she said, "Mama, I'm moving in Monday!" I could hardly believe my ears. Oh, I know that she had began to work with a behavioral health specialist; but I know that crack has a way of canceling out the best plans. Yet, she was sticking to the plan--making appointments and keeping them....As she turned to leave, she said, "Mama, I'm so happy. See how clean my clothes are. I'll be able to wash!" I told her she looked lovely and I was so proud of her determination and then she said, "so and so and so and so (street guys) tried to get me to come with them to get high. I told them,'I'm not trading 20 minutes for a lifetime. I'm going back to the porch. I'll be in my sleeping bag by 7PM. I'll see you tomorrow." Before she went into the cold drizzle, we held hands and prayed that she would be strengthened to withstand the temptation. Long story-short, Wednesday to Monday is forever on the street but here's hoping.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
I'M BACK!
I've been away from the blog for months; but I've not been away from 31st Street for more than a weekend. Did I tell you that I love being on 31st Street. It is dynamic--moving, changing constantly. As sure as autumn follows summer, 31st Street, at least some segments, are changing from a blighted, trash strewn, drug infested place to what I foresee as a well-watered garden. Oh, there is only so much one can do with buildings that are old and long neglected; but fixing up is happening too. Most impressively, the change is happening slowly in the hearts and attitudes of the people. The seeds of change are taking root s l o w l y. I don't know if you remember my telling you about the shell of a building that used to be the Walt Disney studio on 31st Street, but something magical happened this summer. The open windows were boarded up and some group painted the boards bright white and painted cartoon characters on the boards. Believe me, that group gave dignity to that old building where Walt entertained a little mouse and the seed for ever popular Mickey Mouse was planted.
Shane Evans, our good neighbor at Dream Studio, and one whom I call my son, planted a dream on 31st Street about 3-4 years ago. Maybe, one day it will be as great as Disney. Many weekends, Shane host talented musicans and poets at his studio for audiences ranging from parents with children to seniors--good, clean entertainment. How's that for a street one might have been reluctant to walk after dark a few years ago. He's a special young man!
Speaking of walking, I met a very young woman 6 years ago on 31st. She was walking several feet in front of a young man. I stopped the man to tell him I was new in the neighborhood and extended an invitation to church. He listened and called for the woman to join him. She came back but was visably displeased. Later she told me, "I had a mouth full of crack and he wanted me to meet some preacher; I couldn't even talk." She lived on the street, sometimes slept on the Holy Family House porch and walked that customary path around the blocks of 31st and Linwood and I kept talking and planting seed until she came into the Emancipation Station and a changed life. She, intelligent, entrepenurial, now at home and reconciled to family, is volunteering 5 days a week. Those seeds have taken root.
Oh, that well-watered garden is a dream and sometimes seems as improbable as seeing the Disney Studio renovated and hosting tourist from far away places; but when I see Dream Studio rise from the dust of a vacant, unattractive place to host beautiful people and hear a once crack filled mouth espouse dreams of what the future will look like, I know change is coming to 31st Street as sure as autumn follows summer in beautiful Kansas City, Missouri.
Shane Evans, our good neighbor at Dream Studio, and one whom I call my son, planted a dream on 31st Street about 3-4 years ago. Maybe, one day it will be as great as Disney. Many weekends, Shane host talented musicans and poets at his studio for audiences ranging from parents with children to seniors--good, clean entertainment. How's that for a street one might have been reluctant to walk after dark a few years ago. He's a special young man!
Speaking of walking, I met a very young woman 6 years ago on 31st. She was walking several feet in front of a young man. I stopped the man to tell him I was new in the neighborhood and extended an invitation to church. He listened and called for the woman to join him. She came back but was visably displeased. Later she told me, "I had a mouth full of crack and he wanted me to meet some preacher; I couldn't even talk." She lived on the street, sometimes slept on the Holy Family House porch and walked that customary path around the blocks of 31st and Linwood and I kept talking and planting seed until she came into the Emancipation Station and a changed life. She, intelligent, entrepenurial, now at home and reconciled to family, is volunteering 5 days a week. Those seeds have taken root.
Oh, that well-watered garden is a dream and sometimes seems as improbable as seeing the Disney Studio renovated and hosting tourist from far away places; but when I see Dream Studio rise from the dust of a vacant, unattractive place to host beautiful people and hear a once crack filled mouth espouse dreams of what the future will look like, I know change is coming to 31st Street as sure as autumn follows summer in beautiful Kansas City, Missouri.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
People Need People
Monday, she stood, big smile, full of excitement, keys dangling from slim black fingers, interrupting conversations with a gleeful, "I got it, I got my apartment!" A week or so ago, she was discouraged. She'd been walking around, worrying about how she would pay the almost $600 electric bill. When she came into the Emancipation Station as down as down could be and expressed her concern--concern about giving up--concern about going back to....whatever, she found that a "Good Samaritan" had left a check.
Tuesday, Lisa and her girls stopped by. It was too busy! Seventeen people gathered for the class--chopping, dicing, boiling among the bags of food waiting to be taken home. In the midst of organized chaos, Lisa and her girls, much taller now, a small island of tranquility chatting about delivering meals to seniors and even more importantly, being a familiar face and smile and providing a little conversation--a personal touch.
Wednesday, he came to the door-- cold. "Do we have a coat? And some pants so I can look for a job? I just got out of jail." I exclaim, "This is not the men's clothing day! Oh well, come on in anyway." "I found pants and some shirts is it okay?" Yeah! God bless!
She's in her apartment sleeping on the floor. Already, she's invited another homeless women to sleep on her floor too--away from the cold and uncertainty until she can find another shelter. Almost at the dollar store she says, "You have a kind heart. When I didn't have no place to sleep this lady took me in and fed me. After I had eaten I asked her name and she mine. The next day,I told her where I was going and she said, 'I know that lady. She picked me up from the bus stop when I had so much stuff and took me to my burned apartment, helped me gather what I could and moved me to my new place.' " I think that quotation mark is in the wrong place but that's not the point. The point is people need people. We are connected in ways we can't imagine. I had forgotten that women, never to remember her face, the corner, the scorched apartment nor the fatigue of loading all that stuff in my car but she had not forgotten me. Yeah, we need each other.
Tuesday, Lisa and her girls stopped by. It was too busy! Seventeen people gathered for the class--chopping, dicing, boiling among the bags of food waiting to be taken home. In the midst of organized chaos, Lisa and her girls, much taller now, a small island of tranquility chatting about delivering meals to seniors and even more importantly, being a familiar face and smile and providing a little conversation--a personal touch.
Wednesday, he came to the door-- cold. "Do we have a coat? And some pants so I can look for a job? I just got out of jail." I exclaim, "This is not the men's clothing day! Oh well, come on in anyway." "I found pants and some shirts is it okay?" Yeah! God bless!
She's in her apartment sleeping on the floor. Already, she's invited another homeless women to sleep on her floor too--away from the cold and uncertainty until she can find another shelter. Almost at the dollar store she says, "You have a kind heart. When I didn't have no place to sleep this lady took me in and fed me. After I had eaten I asked her name and she mine. The next day,I told her where I was going and she said, 'I know that lady. She picked me up from the bus stop when I had so much stuff and took me to my burned apartment, helped me gather what I could and moved me to my new place.' " I think that quotation mark is in the wrong place but that's not the point. The point is people need people. We are connected in ways we can't imagine. I had forgotten that women, never to remember her face, the corner, the scorched apartment nor the fatigue of loading all that stuff in my car but she had not forgotten me. Yeah, we need each other.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
The Spirit of Christmas Present
It's Christmas day and for the first day in awhile, the sun is bright and warm on my face. I could say that it matches the warmth in my heart. It's quiet, my young adult kids are outside playing ( I can't spell it correctly) but you know, they're throwing that disc around and catching it. That's funny--just as the sun is warming my face and my heart is warmed, people have caught the joy of Christmas as sure as my kids are catching that disc. Oh boy, that's a round about way of saying something, but sometimes that's just Alice's way. Let me tell you why I can say people have caught the joy of giving:
A young woman came to the True Light Family Resource Center about two months ago. She had two to three gallons of chilli left from an event. We were more than glad to receive it inasmuch as we feed six days a week. The meal was carefully poured in manageable containers and frozen and used once a week. The young lady, Kelly is her name, then phoned and said she and her family wanted to do something for Christmas. We were delighted because we had the desire to do something for the homeless and near homeless women who come to our doors. You might say we had more desire than means. My mother used to say where there is a will there is a way and we were determined to make something happen for these women. Then, along comes Kelly and Linda her mother with a gourmet menu and a plan to gather hygiene items. God bless them! And He did. Kelly was inspired to share their plans with family and friends and the Christmas dinner plans got bigger and bigger. On that day there were gifts from a beauty school and gloves, scarves, backpacks filled for children with Christmas goodies and a warm throw. Kelly's father Bob carried delicious smelling food to tables while the glow of Christmas settled on True Light's Emancipation Station like a warm blanket with Geneva and Cheryl singing and the women joining in with laughter because we are first verse people. Anything else is ad lib. Oh what great joy! More than we could ever imagine. Sisters and in-laws and other family celebrating and serving the least of them with love. And when we thought it could not get any better Melissa and her fiance and family with more gifts and well wishes. Now, you can see why my heart is so warmed. Now you can be reminded what this season is all about. The greatest gift ever was given to humankind. Like those homeless women, He had no place--was laid in a manger borrowed from the beast of the field. His birth announcement was to poor shepherds out in the fields watching over sheep by night. It could have been given to the rich and powerful but instead came to the lowly--the least of these. And the announcement--a savior is born brought them exceedingly great joy.
The Wrights could have done anything on that blustery day where sheer ice threatened the safty of drivers and pedestrians alike but they came to 31st Street bearing food and gifts and the greatest gift of all--sharing themselves and their great love. Thank you Wright family. Thank you friends and family of Kelly, Linda, Bob and many others. Thank you little Caleb with the beautiful red hair for helping me say a little prayer with the women from 31st Street. And may the spirit of Christmas premeate and warm our lives each and every day of the year. Happy 2009!
A young woman came to the True Light Family Resource Center about two months ago. She had two to three gallons of chilli left from an event. We were more than glad to receive it inasmuch as we feed six days a week. The meal was carefully poured in manageable containers and frozen and used once a week. The young lady, Kelly is her name, then phoned and said she and her family wanted to do something for Christmas. We were delighted because we had the desire to do something for the homeless and near homeless women who come to our doors. You might say we had more desire than means. My mother used to say where there is a will there is a way and we were determined to make something happen for these women. Then, along comes Kelly and Linda her mother with a gourmet menu and a plan to gather hygiene items. God bless them! And He did. Kelly was inspired to share their plans with family and friends and the Christmas dinner plans got bigger and bigger. On that day there were gifts from a beauty school and gloves, scarves, backpacks filled for children with Christmas goodies and a warm throw. Kelly's father Bob carried delicious smelling food to tables while the glow of Christmas settled on True Light's Emancipation Station like a warm blanket with Geneva and Cheryl singing and the women joining in with laughter because we are first verse people. Anything else is ad lib. Oh what great joy! More than we could ever imagine. Sisters and in-laws and other family celebrating and serving the least of them with love. And when we thought it could not get any better Melissa and her fiance and family with more gifts and well wishes. Now, you can see why my heart is so warmed. Now you can be reminded what this season is all about. The greatest gift ever was given to humankind. Like those homeless women, He had no place--was laid in a manger borrowed from the beast of the field. His birth announcement was to poor shepherds out in the fields watching over sheep by night. It could have been given to the rich and powerful but instead came to the lowly--the least of these. And the announcement--a savior is born brought them exceedingly great joy.
The Wrights could have done anything on that blustery day where sheer ice threatened the safty of drivers and pedestrians alike but they came to 31st Street bearing food and gifts and the greatest gift of all--sharing themselves and their great love. Thank you Wright family. Thank you friends and family of Kelly, Linda, Bob and many others. Thank you little Caleb with the beautiful red hair for helping me say a little prayer with the women from 31st Street. And may the spirit of Christmas premeate and warm our lives each and every day of the year. Happy 2009!
Thursday, November 13, 2008
A Blast From The Past
Maybe it started with the old doo-wahs that Richard, our good neighbor and helper on 31st Street gave me. I was instantly taken back to Gary, Indiana's hot sultry nights when the street lights came on and we were required to be on the porch. Oh those long nights--too hot to go to bed (pre-air for most folks) and nothing else to do except radio--Living with Vivian (Vivian Carter of Vee Jay records fame--the Spaniels, Goodnight Sweetheart and many more) and on a good night, Randy out of Nashville, Tennessee, I believe. Oh what nights. I was a tween and my friends Maxine and Margie could think of so much mischief to get into from that porch between the time the street lights came on and maybe 1 am, depending on how impossible it was to get comfortable in our tiny apartments. Those were the days--sweet innocence. Vivian called those of us under 18 powder puffs and everybody else sponges. I guess we were soft and tender not yet having absorbed life's lessons and toughened by God knows what. I listened and remembered. My how far the journey, away from Gary (It had become foreign to me) to our neighbor to the West-- Chicago and back to the Dunes country and now Kansas City--31st Street. Many things to remember--some happy, funny, some sad but all a part of who I am now--all a part of my relationship to the many people I meet on 31st Street.
I found some pictures stored away in a drawer since movin g to Kansas City. There's my brother 1st Lt. Ronald, lean and mean in January 69, securing Highway 1 between DaNang and Chu Lai and another in Jump School always confident and brilliant. Dance books are passe but I found mine from the sophomore class party of Tolleston High School. Pardon me if I say I was stunning in my sister's pink sheath dress with black suede spike heels. I can tell from the guys recorded that I dance the night away 7-9:30 p.m. And I have the commencement announce--the first of new beginnings and pictures of U of I at Chicago commencement procession. No one would have bet a plug nickle that I'd make it past Tolleston.
I found Mama's evangelist license and a newspaper announcement for State Sunday School Superintendent Piggee's week long Sunday School Convention. Now, I am beginning to see the light and understand what makes me tick. There are scads of pictures of kids with salutations on the back to Mrs. Piggee, counselor Lake County Children's Home. I remember that she'd bring two or three kids home to our tiny ranch style home for Christmas. They had no one to pick them up for the holidays. I got a double or triple whammy--daddy's call, mama's caring and Ronald's determination. I'm a SPONGE now Vivian, but the girl on the porch, the sophomore, the mischief maker is just a doo wah or two away.
I found some pictures stored away in a drawer since movin g to Kansas City. There's my brother 1st Lt. Ronald, lean and mean in January 69, securing Highway 1 between DaNang and Chu Lai and another in Jump School always confident and brilliant. Dance books are passe but I found mine from the sophomore class party of Tolleston High School. Pardon me if I say I was stunning in my sister's pink sheath dress with black suede spike heels. I can tell from the guys recorded that I dance the night away 7-9:30 p.m. And I have the commencement announce--the first of new beginnings and pictures of U of I at Chicago commencement procession. No one would have bet a plug nickle that I'd make it past Tolleston.
I found Mama's evangelist license and a newspaper announcement for State Sunday School Superintendent Piggee's week long Sunday School Convention. Now, I am beginning to see the light and understand what makes me tick. There are scads of pictures of kids with salutations on the back to Mrs. Piggee, counselor Lake County Children's Home. I remember that she'd bring two or three kids home to our tiny ranch style home for Christmas. They had no one to pick them up for the holidays. I got a double or triple whammy--daddy's call, mama's caring and Ronald's determination. I'm a SPONGE now Vivian, but the girl on the porch, the sophomore, the mischief maker is just a doo wah or two away.
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