Respite building Bridges

Today the Center for Respite Care celebrates the efforts of five clients who’s hard work have earned them completion of the Bridges adult education program. Larry Brewton, Kenneth Horn, James Ousley, Michael Simpson, and Leonard Warren all graduated from the program on August 4^th 2011.  Kenneth Horn even earned the Salutatorian award for exceptionally high marks. The program teaches job hunting skills, computer proficiency, and a number of other areas that are crucial in today’s job market. In the struggle to become stable and self sufficient, we are proud of these clients for making personal strides to avoid homelessness in the future.

A Poem by Eddie Allen, Respite Client

Homeless

Homeless, living on the street, the agony, the shame,
Eating out of the garbage can, sleeping on benches, being in pain.

Homeless, I’m so tired, so very tired, where do I sleep?
On park benches, in abandoned buildings… Boy that’s really deep.

Homeless, being disrespected, being degraded, having no pride,
Hearing the whispers, the evil stares, always getting denied.

Homeless, in the rain, at winter time, where do I go?
Can I come in? I’m wet, I’m cold, I truly don’t know…

Homeless, bumming change, begging for anything all day,
Being homeless, reality check, most people are a paycheck away.

Homeless, being looked at like a monster, with a nasty frown,
Please help me, I need assistance, No, you get turned down.

Homeless, hungry, dirty, I’m sick, what do I do?
Try the hospital, get thrown out, no money, I can’t sue.

Homeless, no friends, no family, nowhere to stay,
I’m dying, so what, society stated, die today.

This poem is about the homeless, something you never want to be,
Homelessness effects everybody, this poem is really about me.

Ben's Story

After a tragic accident that shattered his shoulder and left him unable to work, Ben lost his apartment and found himself at a homeless shelter. The doctors at the hospital had told him he might lose his arm. Several surgeries and many months of healing were his only hope.

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Kevin's Story

As I passed out the 10:00 PM medication to Kevin, I marveled at the beauty of his fingers as he placed them around the Dixie cup. Just a few short months before those same hands were raw, bloody, and suffering from severe frostbite.

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