What do you think of when you hear homeless? What kind of pictures of the homeless people come to mind? Dirty, smelly, hungry, all their earthly belongings in a few bags? I must admit that is kind of the picture I come up with. So when I volunteered at Project Homeless Connect I figured I would see several people fitting this description. Don’t get me wrong, these people need and deserve help if they need it and I wanted to put my “fears” aside and immerse myself into a world I have never ventured into. I was surprised to hear in orientation that at last years event nearly 60% of the participants claimed they were not homeless, but with the present economy it was understandable that several services were being unmet. I arrived at 6:30 for orientation and met several persons already in line. How did they find out about this event? How did they get there? My informant for this event became the client I was assigned to. For confidentially concerns I will only use their initials, J.L. As of 2 weeks ago J.L. is no longer “homeless” but just moved from the shelter. Unable to obtain employment and living on unemployment benefits. J.L. was seeking dental, vision, and drivers license services. While waiting in line for the eye exam we had time to talk. I asked how the information was obtained about the event. Church. How was transportation obtained? Walked. We talked about life at the shelter and what a blessing the apartment was. J.L. was clean and very pleasant to speak with. I could not begin to name all of the sponsors but eye care and eye glasses were donated, both of which J.L. received and appreciated. The dental services offered were limited and didn’t meet J.L.’s needs, so a referral was given. After the drivers license needs were met, J.L. was ready to leave. No lunch, nothing to drink. No loading up on the freebies. J.L. did take a duffle bag and a bus ticket to get back home. Many of my preconceived ideas were dispelled. I did see people who were dirty and had several bags of belongings, but this was the exception. I believe today’s economy brought more people than would have in recent years. I am thankful for this event as several persons who needed essential services were helped.

Amish, not as simple as you think!!

When most people think of the Amish, they think of “Little House on the Prairie”. I know I do. No electricity, horse and buggy, long dresses, and farm work. All of these are true. I researched and wrote a paper for one of my social work classes about the Amish culture. Little is written about them, mainly because they are extremely private and do not welcome “outsiders”. The fact also that little has changed in almost 300 years lends to the lack of current information. The research I found regarding the Amish “Rumspringa”, again was small and narrowly focused. I then viewed the film, “Devils Playground” and boy were my eyes opened!! The film was about Amish teenagers actually experiencing Rumspringa, or “sowing their wild oats”. It was amazing how these seemingly sheltered young people know where and how to obtain the materials needed to throw a huge party. Materials such as alcohol and drugs, items denied them their whole life. These teenagers, who for 16 years were told when, what, and how to do everything in their lives are then freed to do whatever they please. Some move out of their parents homes, as one boy put it, ”because he doesn’t have 200 channels and a refrigerator full of beer at home”. Rumspringa can last for a few months to several years, with almost 90% of the youth returning to the Amish religion and a life long commitment to remain Amish. Some, however, never return or wait several years to do so. The requirements for returning are more than some are willing to do. One boy, Faron, was addicted to meth, and was actually arrested for possession. He had decided to return and had to get himself clean. Before he returned he got involved with another Amish girl who had decided not to return. The dynamics of Amish life, while on the surface seem quite simple; can be very confusing, even to the Amish themselves. In a rare interview, parents who had experienced Rumspringa themselves admitted they missed certain parts of the “English” world, specifically the music. Yet, they decided to return rather than face eternal damnation. I can somewhat understand the dilemma these youth are facing. You are raised all your life to believe and act a certain way, because it is right and God requires it. Then you are given a taste of the way God does not want you to live and it is fun, exciting, and liberating. How can one go from making no choices in his life to making one of the most important choices of his life? This is one dilemma I am glad I do not have to deal with.