Helping prepare the dessert!
I had driven by the building thousands of times but never knew of the kindness and generosity happening inside. If I hadn’t known I was visiting the Dorothy Day House and sharing dessert with homeless families and other volunteers, I would have thought I was celebrating the holidays at a friend’s house.
Walking in the backdoor like all family members do, I met a large group of volunteers toting boxes and bags of presents and armfuls of desserts. I immediately felt humbled as I walked in with my small box of chess squares as meager contribution to the evening’s dessert buffet. “What organization are you with?” I asked the mass of volunteers. “Oh, we aren’t with an organization. We are family and friends just helping out.” My feelings of humility increased.
Homemade chess squares for the Sunday evening gathering.
As I walked into the home, the green nametags worn by the two staff members were the only way I distinguished them from residents. Staff members were carrying infants. Residents were helping move chairs into the living room where we would all gather shortly. As the volunteer kiddos met the resident kiddos, it was immediate camaraderie….and chaos! As any great holiday party at a friend’s house has! This isn’t what I know homelessness to look like.
When Sr. Maureen, Executive Director of the Dorothy Day House, began to lead us in prayers of thanksgiving, the laughter and chaos gave way to a peaceful hush. Again, I was humbled when she asked me to read a selection from the book of Matthew. Staff, residents and volunteers then proceeded in saying the Lord’s Prayer together.
The Dorothy Day House has provided safe harbor for Sue and her family of four (two sons and two daughters) for eight months. They traveled to Memphis from the mid-west. As she told me her story, I listened, but didn’t pry. I let Sue share the details of her undoubtedly painful journey as she wanted. “Coming to Memphis wasn’t my plan. It just happened.”
Her exposure to Memphis is two-fold: what Sue sees in the news and what she has experienced first- hand at the Dorothy Day House. It’s quite a contrast. In the news, she hears of the deplorable things that happen in our city. But her personal experience at the Dorothy Day House has been filled with an outpouring of kindness, understanding, hope, and support.
Families unwrapping holiday presents donated by generous volunteers!
The impact and power of giving was evident this evening. The boxes and bags of holiday gifts brought by the family of volunteers were astonishing. After opening gift after gift and package after package, Sue’s older daughter ran upstairs to try on a new outfit. It fit her perfectly. Not only did it fit her slight frame but also her personality and style, too! She loved it!
More donated gifts being received with warm smiles and sincere gratitude.
Sr. Maureen asked Sue if she liked the gifts she received as mother of the family. Sue’s response was, “Oh yes! I love seeing the smiles on the faces of my children.”
The Dorothy Day House is different from other locals shelters. Many shelters in Memphis don’t house male and female family members at the same facility nor accept teenage males. It is tragic enough for a family to experience the hardships and pain that come with being homeless, but to have husbands and wives, fathers and daughters, mothers and sons separated from each other is heart wrenching.
The purpose is simple: “The Dorothy Day House keeps homeless families together, creating a safe haven and a community for entire families.” Simple, but not possible without a small, yet compassionate staff and hundreds of giving volunteers.
It feels like a home here. The Dorothy Day House is a true blessing to the homeless families in our community. Even better, four more houses have been purchased by the Dorothy Day organization to house Memphis’ homeless families. Our help is needed now as much as ever!
To find out how you can be a valuable supporter of this amazing organization, check out the Dorothy Day House website at http://www.dorothydaymemphis.org/who-we-are-1/.