Service in D.C

Hello Everyone,

This past week in Washington D.C was both an enriching and humbling experience. I had worked with the hungry and homeless in Providence before, but this trip really taught me more about the people we served. On Tuesday afternoon, we had a speaker named Alan who spoke of his experience being homeless. Before becoming homeless he had had a fabulous government job, a great house, and a family. He talked about how homelessness can strike anyone regardless of age, race, gender, or socio-economic background. It made me think about how comfortable I am in my lifestyle and how I would feel if it disappeared and I was left without a home. Most of the people who are homeless in D.C are educated, but due to their economic situation or other unfortunate losses have found themselves homeless. I was surprised at the segregation in the city. Walking around the Georgetown area it is hard to imagine any poverty, but walk a few blocks downtown and there are people sleeping in doorways. On Monday night, we all prepared a meal at the YSOP headquarters. We then served it and were able to sit down with our guests and share a meal with them. This was one of the most meaningful and interesting experiences on the trip. Meeting people who were homeless I was struck by how educated and informed most of them were. One man came to D.C to go to graduate school and found himself homeless so he is not able to continue his education. I met a man named Jackson who is 82 years old and remembers everything. He told me that people can give money, clothes, and food, but giving your whole self is the most important. I found that especially inspiring and now know that giving your time and self to serve those is need is the most important.

-Amy