Day 4: Walking in the shoes of the homeless and unemployed

A thought occurred to me today as I walked the downtown streets of Providence. Over the past few years, I would give homeless individuals change as I passed them by foot on the sidewalk or by car on the street. Admittedly, during my two years in Barcelona with a loaded savings account, I would mumble to myself, "Go get a job." However, once I returned to the States and moved in with my mother while I pursued my graduate degree, reorganized my consulting business, and founded the Coalition, I changed my tune. I knew I was full of myself during the times I made those insensitive comments. I knew it was prejudgmental, inhumane, ungodly, and simply wrong.

I was pretty adept at identifying those who were homeless. Now, however, my senses are much keener, my awareness broader. I can no longer give them change. All I can give them is direct eye contact that says, "You and your situation are not invisible to me"; a smile that says, "I acknowlege you has a human being"; and a hello that says, "The subtext behind my eye contact and my smile is sincere."

Looking back to when I volunteered at homeless shelters and dedicated my life to serving the community via the Coalition, I realize how I was a little arrogant. Yes, my desire to volunteer, help, and give back was sincere. Nonetheless, I did regard the people I helped with slightly downcast eyes and thought them or poor them, meaning different from me with my two-story house and engineer's salary. The truth is we are all the same. We always have been, only I am just realizing that truth in this moment—fully and deeply realizing it in the core of my being. We may have different occupations, different salary grades, different modes of transportation, and different types of housing. Still, we all have the same value as a people of the human race, as representatives of God's creation.

Every human as the right to be valued for simply being human.

Newest Members of My Family

I'm starting to feel offended by how people regard homeless individuals. Just now, as I type this message from a library computer, a homeless man dressed in soiled, ragged clothes descended the stairs from the first floor to the ground level housing the bank of computers. He was speaking loudly in incoherent sentences, drawing even more attention to himself than his appearance alone. The young, college-aged girl on staff in the computer lab looked up at him and rolled her eyes with an audible groan of distaste.

Her reaction and the stares of the other computer users ignited an unexpected anger inside me. After just four days of living in the shelter and interacting with the residents on a more humble, personal level, I feel like they are my brethren, my brothers and sisters—my family. And I protect my family.

Lesson for Community Leaders

As a leader in the community, it is imperative for me to know the plight of the individuals and families that I am called to help. This authentic Walk in the shoes of the homeless and unemployed has given me perspective that I did not realize I needed. It's a humbling experience to say the least, but I understand that God has placed me in this situation so that I may fulfill His vision.

Opportunity to Celebrate

Obviously, we should all celebrate the roof over our heads and the nourishment we receive no matter how it is viewed by economic or social standards. Yet, how can you "celebrate" blessings if you are homeless, hungry, unemployed, and cannot provide for your family? How, as a citizen or community leader, have you honored the value in all individuals regardless of their economic status or living situation? I celebrate by giving praise to God for providing for my needs and then share that praise with others as I do with this blog.

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