The Meal Line

A few weeks ago, I thought I would stand in the meal line at The Mustard Seed in Edmonton to see what the experience was like.  The thoughts that went through my mind were everything from “Am I really that hungry” to “When will this line hurry up” to “I wonder what they have for dinner.”  And, when I came to the serving table, I realized why people were so grateful for every piece of food they received.  You get to that point and you are just really happy to receive food after waiting for so long.  I mean, I really was grateful for my food.  I wondered what it would be like to wait in a meal line during winter.  Just imagine, standing in freezing temperatures waiting for a meal.  On top of that, imagine having issues like mental illness, addictions and not having a home.  It must be hard, really hard.

This summer, we have between 20-30 unsponsored meals to fill.  Often we have fewer meal volunteers in the summer because people go on vacation.  I’ve had the opportunity to help serve a meal in the past, and trust me, it’s an eye-opening experience. 

You realize that people who live on the margins of society are just like you and me.  And, when and if you decide to talk to them, you’ll see that often they experienced really harsh circumstances that affected their lives.  Their stories may transform your outlook about the homeless and those living in poverty.  They may even leave you wondering if you would be in the same position if you were in their shoes.  If you’re looking for an interesting and humbling experience, look no further than The Mustard Seed.  Get together a group of ten people and give us a call.  You’ll be glad you did.

Lego

It may not surpise you to know that I was really (I mean really really) great with Lego Bricks.  I was the kinda kid that could build a Gaudi inspired cathedral in an afternoon, replicate Windsor Castle on our dining room table and elicit "oohs" and "aahs" from my folks with my Eiffel tower or my Versaiiles Hall of Mirrors.  All made from the ubiquitous plastic bricks.  I was one of those creative kids.

A lot of kids had their creativity squashed out of them at an early age because of some rule about lines and coloring, or making too much noise.  Other energetic actors and imaginative players were shut down byMrs Baxter in the church foyer who took it upon herself to remind you that "running was not allowed in God's House!".  I remember showing my parents my acceptance letter for the Emily Carr College of Fine Art in Vancouver and my dad asking me what I would do for a real job once I graduated...he wasn't a bad guy, he just didn't want an actor (my brother) and an artist in the same batch of kids!

Here is what I know...and in a second I'll tell you what I think.  What I know is that the same kid who could build a Roman Colusseum in his bedroom is grappling with major societal challenges like ending homelessness and eliminating poverty. What I know is that there are millions of creative, thoughtful and imaginative people who for one-reason-or-another gave up on their creative sides and adopted a stance approaching normal (whatever that is).  What I know is that people who really care about the big issues of life are frustrated by business as usual and are ready for a creative revolution.

I don't think that solutions for our world wide challenges will come by staying still, folding hands, keeping quiet. I think that we need to find ways to engage the creative thinking of our communities and give them the tools to express the ideas that emerge.  Those tools may be crayons, cardboard and glue, or they may be blogs, zines and graffitti.  Whatever they are I am convinced that we must unleash creativity in the realm of tough questions and tougher times.  I'll go one step further...I think we should run through the silent foyers of our churches (look out Mrs. Baxter) shouting "come out and play with us, the world needs to know you care!". Sometimes I think I should haul out those three rubbermaids of lego bricks, sit down and begin to create again...want to join me?

We all dare to dream...

As children we are taught to dream. We are taught to aim high, that the sky is the limit, that we can be and do anything we set our minds to. Some of the things that were dreams of mine over the last 24 years are as follows...

gain a career as a fire fighter

become an international rockstar

take ballet classes

have a father figure

see my parents reconciled

make good friends

travel the world

escape those who brought abuse into my life as a child

teach chemistry as a lab technician

graduate high school

lead a missions team

drop out of college

finish college

obtain a 3.5 GPA

get married

change the world

I have seen some of these dreams realized, but obviously, some of these things were and continue to be completely out of my control. For example, there is nothing that I could have done to see my parents relationship healed, nor could I have chosen a father figure to replace the void in my life due to the end of my parents' marriage. No amount of decision or choice or maturity or goal setting could allow me to see these things become reality. These aren't dreams that I could attain by my own volition and will. 

Similarly, homelessness and poverty are not the result of choices made. There are circumstances to which some are born into that cannot be escaped as easily as it may seem. We do not scorn those born into majority world (or third world) countries for not having been born into more affluent families. We do not judge children who have been abandoned by careless parents for not having been more responsible. We do not assume that those whose lives have been paralyzed by disease have asked for the hand that was dealt to them. Yet we marginalize others for their homelessness that we, as a society, have chosen on their behalf in so many ways.

You'll notice that mental health issues, sexual exploitation, addictions, and poor food security never made my list of goals throughout my life. As a child I never dreamt of becoming homeless. This may come as a surprise but the same is true of my friends within The Mustard Seed community.

Nobody chooses homelessness or poverty. Nobody dreams of these things.

--

Follow me on Twitter @katcardinal

Why People are Homeless

Working at The Mustard Seed, I actually find I don't have that many conversations outside of work about homelessness. The only conversations I seem to have are talks with friends about the conversation they just had. The conversations I'm referring to,  between my family and their friends and strangers alike, are with people who clearly do not understand the issues, and I laugh it off a bit when they tell me the stories. I trust that people who think this way assume that, because I work at The Mustard Seed, I’m heavily armed with a million things to say to rebuke their homelessness claims. And perhaps they just don’t want to get into it that deeply.

So because I interact mainly with those who are sensitive to the issue of poverty and homelessness, or who pretend to be for my benefit, I have a skewed perception of how sensitive and educated on the issue the general population is. I sat down to think about those who don’t like the homeless, and came to a stark realization: this is my fault. My job is and/or has been to educate the public on the issues, connect with the community, break down stereotypes and communicate clearly about the issue of homelessness in our city. So if there are those who don’t know the real truth about homelessness, it’s not their fault. It’s mine.

So I’ll take this opportunity to redeem myself, and tell you, our reader, why people end up at the doors of The Mustard Seed. And you can bookmark this page. So when you come across the people who don’t know or like anything about the homeless, you can come back here and help to educate them.

• Low minimum wage
• Generational Poverty  - Second and third generation homeless and poor – born on the streets and unable to get off of them
• Lack of affordable housing
• Low income housing is being eroded
• Lack of family support and/or life skills  - imagine never having a family that teaches you how to function in society
• Many come from other provinces to find work - when they are not immediately successful, they lack the resources to live.
• Unexpected job loss
• Mental Disability  - includes mental illness, personality disorders, authority issues, coping skills, grieving, fetal alcohol syndrome etc. 
• Physical Disability - many people have chronic or complex conditions requiring long-term support
• Family Break-Down/Domestic Abuse - Alberta has the highest rate for domestic abuse in the country) (source)
• Lack of Education and/or Job Skills - high school drop-outs and people with learning disabilities
• Language Barriers - many new immigrants and refugees come through our programs.
• Addictions - substance abuse, prescription drugs, alcohol, gambling or sexual addictions.
• Frozen and Eliminated Government Programs
• Criminal Records - a criminal record makes it difficult to find work again
  

 And there you go. If everyone in Alberta reads this blog post, my job is done and I can retire, having put "Educated 100% of Alberta about homelessness" on my resume. But, more realistically, I hope this has opened an eye or two to the true issues most of the homeless and working poor in our province face.

Did I miss any? Leave me a comment below!

Sarah B

Follow Sarah on Twitter @ispeakcanadian 

Do You Love Me?

At a few team meetings per month, the Employment team reads from In the Name of Jesus by Henri Nouwen. Recently, we read this excerpt:

“Before Jesus commissioned Peter to be a shepherd he asked him, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these others do?” He asked him again, “Do you love me?” And a third time he asked “Do you love me?” We have to hear that question as being central to all of our Christian ministry because it is the question that can allow us to be at the same time irrelevant and truly self-confident”.

We discussed that, as humans, we desire relationship.  Our Intake Coordinator said that she used to ask prospective Employment Program clients, “What supports do you have in your life?” Often the answer was “none”. Other times the guests noted a Mustard Seed staff member or another caseworker.

Recently, a guest told me that what he cannot take is “being looked down on”. This speaks of a need for acceptance. In our guests, this need is sometimes met with rejection. In a world so often inhospitable, we can extend hospitality by listening and withholding judgement.  What an honor it is to be a safe place for our guests.

In difficult times, we look for support from people whom we love and who love us. Imagine having a crisis in life and no one to support you.  When I imagine it, I remember that I am no different from any of our guests; I have only had different benefits, different blessings.

As humans, we all internally ask the question “do you love me?” When we reach out for help and receive support, the question is answered. We are made in the image of God, who asks this same question; therefore, we are made to answer His question with love— love for Him and love for one another. In employment coaching sessions with guests,  the real issues are not resumes, cover letters, job searches, or applications. I address these things because they are important and are the practical essence of my job. However, these things are not the most fundamental need. The real need is to share the love of God, who loved us first and calls each of us to Himself.