May 2010
1 post
um, 20, I think?
I saw her out of the corner of my eye, the dirty string backpack caught my attention. I tapped her on the shoulder, she turned around slowly and carefully. Her ragged, mustard colored shirt was stained, and I realized her slender frame was drapped in old, ripped men’s clothing.
Her skin was beautiful, tight, clear. Her hair rose into a bushy mess and was littered with tiny peices of...
April 2010
1 post
You gotta eat something, girl.
Last week during Saturday outreach we didn’t meet a single soul. It was a beautiful day outside, and despite almost getting into a massive arguement with a FNB volunteer, we had little contact with anyone. (Let me back up and say I completely admire and support the FNB presence in Atlanta. They serve nutritious meals and provide tables full of information about resources for the homeless,...
March 2010
3 posts
I'm sorry, we just don't have it...
I like to run the shower and laundry list at the center. Maybe it’s my inner camp counselor or my understimulated maternal instincts that likes making sure each kid who signed up for a shower or laundry is well taken care of, and that it’s done in a timely and efficient manner.
We give them fresh hygiene packs and clean new cloths when they take a shower, and I love seeing them...
I am blessed today, blessed today
No one loves the warm weather more than the homeless. Atlanta was kind enough to show us spring this Saturday, and the warm sun sprinkled smiles and peace across even the weariest faces.
We went down to the homeless shelter and it was strangely empty on the women’s and children aside. The woman working at the front desk said they are placing a lot more families now, and I hope that means...
And mommy's gonna have a sister
Her cold, little hands grabbed my wrists and it surprised me. I looked down and she slid her hands into mine, smiled and asked me what my name was. She was probably five years old, and I was taken back by her unexpected gesture.
We were at a homeless shelter, and even though I am trying to target older kids, I had to take the time out to talk to this little girl. I didn’t do much talking...
February 2010
3 posts
Boys learn through being beat
Another insane evening in the center. Actually, things felt quite calm and went relatively smoothly, but there were small moments that sent my heart straight to the asylum, either laughing uncontrollably or weeping silently.
Moment One: I keep seeing Rashad hanging outside the library during Saturday outreach. He runs his mouth like an eigth grader on a sugar rush, a harmless menace but a...
What wit u essay?
Mentoring 101: Before you accuse the youth of irresponsibility, ask what happened.
Tanisha didn’t come to her tutoring session last week. I wasn’t surprised, getting street kids to make and keep an appointment is difficult. Their lives are unpredictable, they don’t have moms and teachers reminding them, they don’t have reliable transportation. But she could have emailed...
I mean, I don't want to answer those questions...
Despite the cold, nasty weather that loomed over the city this Saturday, our street outreach team hit the pavement in search of homeless kids. We didn’t meet anyone new, but we saw several of our regular kids spending their rainy Saturday in the library or at Underground Atlanta.
Egor sat in the corner computer station at the library, his skeleton leather jacket makes him easy to spot. We...
January 2010
4 posts
All I Need Is A Little Guidance
Tanisha gave me a sideways glance, paused and said “Am I in trouble?” Should you be, I thought. “No, not at all, in fact, I think you are quite lucky.” I laughed and shot her a quick smile.
We went into the office and shut the door. Nervously, I told her I’d be mentoring her more closely, I rambled, because of her unending potential and incredible growth and...
Why hello officer!
I saw Louie last week while running errands. He proudly wore his new security guard outfit—shiny shoes and all. He is a good kid who’s had incredible trouble finding a job, but finally landed a great security guard gig working 32 hours a week. (Louie’s record is still marred by a felony from high school, when he accidentally brought a pocket knife to school.) He showed me his schedule,...
Not until I am right with my body
This week in the center we had too many homeless kids and not enough volunteers. The ratio was 4:1. To make any progress, we need a ration of 1:1, at most 2:1. But we make due, and do what we can.
One of the nurse practioners did a lesson for the women about birth control and sexual health. It spun into a conversation about sex, who was having it, who wasn’t, who had babies, who...
An Introduction
Homeless youth exist. Teenagers living on the streets, under bridges, in abandoned buildings; with pimps, with babies, with the scars of abuse, sexual molestation, mental illness; without a family, without an education, without an identity other than surviving.
I work with these kids each week, either on the street or in the StandUp for Kids center in downtown Atlanta. I try to reverse a...