The first service activity that Atlanta’s Bear Breaks team participated in was volunteering at the Central Night Shelter. The uncharacteristically chilly spring weather in combination with the slight drizzle of rain, brought us a new appreciation for the work we were about to do. Shivering, we walked into the shelter passing the many homeless men who were lined up to enter the shelter as soon as it opened. The initial set up and serving of dinner passed in a flurry activity, but the evening slowed down quite a bit.
While eating, I stopped to talk to a couple of the men. Not only were they extremely grateful for the food and shelter that they were receiving, but they were also grateful for the opportunity to have civil conversation with someone. Many of the men were excited to hear about my goals and aspirations, talk about Atlanta, and even tell me where they were from. Several of the men at the shelter even made the comment as they left that they appreciated our kindness and willingness to speak to them as if they were just another person we met instead of treating them differently because they were currently homeless. I think this attitude, or feeling, is best described by Mother Theresa’s statement, “Being unwanted, unloved, uncared for, forgotten by everybody, I think that is a much greater hunger, a much greater poverty than the person who has nothing to eat.” So, while there are some programs that are able to provide shelter and food for some of the people who need it, the willingness of people to talk to those in need and just provide a friendly face and open mind can be just as important.
So, while we go on addressing homelessness and poverty, it is also important to remember that there is more than just necessities, like food and shelter, that people need. They also need to be treated with dignity, respect, and most importantly acknowledged for who they are: people.
Written by: Kaylyn Bradshaw