By YiKen Jongerius
Today we volunteered at La Casa Norte, which is an organization with 6 different programs that help homeless people or people at risk of being homeless. They have emergency, transitional, and permanent housing programs that help a variety of people. They strive to help every person they can, whether it be a teenager or an adult in their 40s. We helped cook dinner and clean a couple of the facilities that are used every single day. It was so cool and interesting to learn how all of the services they provide really do make an impact in the community. And it was even cooler to know that our work really helped the organization and made an impact. Sometimes what we usually think of as “grunt work” or as tedious is actually super helpful to everyone involved.
Homelessness is prevalent all over the world, and sometimes it’s even in our own backyards. There’s usually a negative connotation when the word “homelessness” comes up. I think a reason for this is because we tend to judge others by their physical appearance or their “one story”. We don’t consider whether this person is a mother or son or sister or even a good person. We don’t consider if this person is a student or a struggling father of 2- we just base our opinion about them from physical appearance. It’s interesting to me that even if we don’t mean to judge or offend others; it still happens. It’s human nature. But we can improve and take those thoughts and judgments and turn them into something good. It can help us be aware of others and realize that we can’t just take the face value of something. We shouldn’t judge others just because they are homeless or because they are different from us.
My mom always told me when I was younger that “the world doesn’t revolve around you”. Yes, you are important and unique, but so are other people. That’s what makes life cool!! You get to know people who come from different backgrounds and cultures. People who come from all walks of life who have different life experiences. It’s fun to share and see the similarities and differences between us. I mean, isn’t that what life’s all about?! Human connection is super important and it starts with connecting with others, even if they are a little different from you. 🙂
P.S.- go out in that blizzard or rain storm or whatever it is. Do something fun that’s out of your comfort zone. the memories are worth it 🙂