Grapevine Issue 4

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Grapevine Issue 4

A Visit with Homeless Children
Food for Thought
In This Season Of Thanksgiving, I Have Much To Be Thankful For

A very warm welcome was given to my friend and me as we entered the Salvation Army Shelter for the Homeless on E 22nd.

The purpose of our visit was to talk with homeless children to get an idea of what they may be going through. I had anticipated seeing youthful sad and weary faces, however, this was not the case. Smiling children buzzing around a brightly painted playroom set a pleasant atmosphere that night. Not one child seemed disturbed by the fact that he or she was currently without a home of his or her own.

As a result of their family's

situation, the children are forced to reside with several others. This can foster havoc in a youngster's life. Getting along with others is a skill these children must develop at a young age.

In the instance of being

homeless and more or less living in a commune way of life, the result for children is a lack of routine. Some kind of routine or something that will stay the same - is an important element for children. It's one of the things that helps them realize a sense of security.

Unfortunately, homeless children are missing this stability. So although the children themselves may not be aware of how homelessness is affecting them and their behavior, all those adults who come into contact with them should be.

This can't always be easy! We were only there for a few hours and the amount of energy in the room was so great it could not be measured! But they seemed excited by the idea of coloring for us - and that we wanted to keep the finished product!

Well, here are some of the finished products. It was amazing to watch their imaginations come to life through their crayons. The way kids express their thoughts and ideas can be very powerful. And homeless kids, just like all the rest, only need a little encouragement and positive support to help bring out the best in them. May you enjoy these as much as we do!

Food for Thought

by Stacy Putnam

"Honey, how do you feel about pizza tonight?"

"No, I don't think so. We just had that. How about Chinese?"

For most of us, the preceding exchange is commonplace when dinner time draws near. But for many of our fellow Americans, the decision of what to have for their next meal or where to obtain it is far from trivial. While several programs exist which are designed to alleviate this problem, it will take a concerted effort by all to eradicate this situation.

"But can I help?," one may ask. There are many ways to pitch in and help your fellow human beings. The obvious choice is to donate money, but in these tight times, this is not always possible. Do not lose heart though, there are other ways to lend aid to those who are in need. Donating a small portion of your spare time to help with organization, coordination, or transportation of food and other needful commodities can make a significant difference in someone's life.

Yes, it's true that everyone needs food to live, but humans require much more than food to exist. Many of us walk the busy streets of downtown Cleveland on our lunch hour and witness the many faces of the needy. These people hunger not only for food, but also acceptance, a smile, or just a friendly hello. They are not so different from you or me. Some are happy, some sad, some friendly, some not so friendly, however, one thing remains constant, they all have feelings.

By now some of you may believe this article is the standard plea for both money and volunteers. This is not the point. America needs a wake up call - one which is long overdue. The time for useless rhetoric is past; the need for action is present. We, the people of this nation all have one thing in common; we are Americans. We share the same soil, the same air, and the same flag. Throughout our history, if there is only one lesson to be learned, it is this: united we stand, divided we fall.

In This Season of Thanksgiving,

I Have Much to Be Thankful For

by Karen Knipe

First of all I am truly thankful for my Higher Power, whom I choose to call God today, for allowing me another chance in life. I'm truly thankful for the police who busted me last year on November 19, 1992. If it weren't for them, I believe I wouldn't be here today. Because of the bust, I became homeless. I used to snub my nose at homeless people, but today I don't do that. I now know how it feels to be homeless, hungry, hopeless, and lonely.

I am also truly thankful to all my children, especially my oldest son Ed, for not enabling me. If he would have given me a place, I would still be drinking and doing drugs today. I want to take this chance to say thank you and I love all my children from the bottom of my heart. I want to give thanks to the following for giving me back my life:

My God, Rosary Hall, my children, the Upstairs program and their staff (old and new), The staff of West Side Catholic Center, Alcoholics Anonymous program, McDonald's - for allowing me to come back after I quit, Anita, my sponsor, and my home group.

Because of all these people and my God, I am sober and drug free today. I am also thankful for Heilda and Jamie for being my friends. I love each and every one of you.

May each and every one of you have a very happy and safe holiday season and may your God Bless you!

P.S. To my grandchildren; you now have your grandmother back. I now know how to love you three and your parents, thanks to all those who took the time and patience with me. Believe me, I was a big job!!