Five Weekly Highlights - March 23, 2012

• “Zeke” just got a full-time job, and is “feeling great!”
• ”Billy” just found an apartment – “a new start,” he says
• Community friends donated coffee, toiletries and much more
• “Eddie” moved from the shelter into a trailer; “I’m happy now.”
• On their own, four guests completely cleaned, swept and hosed the outside!

Are You a Hobo?

Are You a Hobo?

It didn’t take long for the tears to form in Mick’s eyes. He reached into his pocket and pulled out some change - pennies, nickels and dimes.This is the story he told…

So yesterday I was walking down the street, and I walked past a girl on a bike. She stopped and said,`Are you a hobo?’ I was embarrassed by the question, so I said, “No, I’m not a hobo, I’m just down on my luck right now.”She reached into her pocket and pulled out some change and said, “Here.” I asked, “Where’d that money come from?”“It’s my allowance. Here, you can have it.” “No, thanks, but you should spend it on something for yourself.” "But    I am. I’ll just leave it here for you.” Then she put the money down on the sidewalk and rode away. I could see Mick was moved by the story. I waited.“It made my day. I don’t want to spend the money. I just want to keep it in my pocket, you know, as a reminder that that little girl wanted to help me. To remind me that there are good and decent people in this world. I mean, that girl was brought up right. You can tell.”He picked up the change, fingered the coins and put it back in his pocket. “How old was she?” I asked. “About six, I’d say. I wanted to follow her home to thank her parents, and tell them what a great daughter they’re raising, but I knew that would freak them out, so I just let her ride off.  What a great little girl.” 

Nick’s Mite

Nick knocked on the office door. “What can I do for you, Nick?” I asked. He quizzed me 
for ten minutes on the funding for the Center. At the Center I like to answer questions
simply and directly. Unless privacy issues are involved, I just answer the question.
Hearing my answers, Nick said, “OK, I like that.” He pulled two crumpled dollar bills out
of his pocket and placed them on the desk.  “Use that for whatever you want. You folks
have helped me a lot, and if I have something to spare, I’ll give it to you.” I thanked him
and assured him it would help people here.  He waved and walked away. Almost
everyone at the Center has some kind of income, perhaps from Medicaid or SSI or
SSDI. The amount received is rarely enough to provide for housing and living expenses,
but they do keep some money in their pockets. Yes, the donation was almost too small
to move through the accounting process, but it says a lot that a guest wants to
contribute, communicating trust, pride and ownership. Remember the old story of the
poor widow’s mite, how her donated penny was proportionately worth more than a ten
thousand dollar gift from a very wealthy person. Nick’s mite is the same.

Five Weekly Highlights - March 9, 2012

• “Steve” got a job with help from Linda, veteran services provider
• Jean Jacques brought in beauticians who provided 14 haircuts on Monday
• “Al” got a job offer for permanent employment, using our computers for online applications.
• “Ellie” got her old job back working with a carnival out of state. She is ecstatic.
• “Linda” has decided to seek entrance into a detox facility. We applaud her!