A Grateful Community

Even in the midst of midterms, we still had about 12 students show up to help deliver sandwiches. Everyone who came on Tuesday had been on Lesley Delivers previously, so it was more laid back than usual, and I personally felt more comfortable. Last week's run was tough, having to keep the boundaries between us and those who we were serving, but this week it was different. We had a videographer join us to tape our making sandwiches and walking to and from Harvard Square. We made sure that we kept confidentiality by not filming anyone we were serving. I took my group through the pit, and we ran into a man sitting against a building. Bree asked him if he wanted a sandwich, but he said no. When this happens, we just tell them to have a good night and move on, so that's exactly what we did. We re-offered it to him on our way back, as we didn't see anyone down by Au Bon Pain. He said no thanks again, but he was extremely grateful for the offer. That gets me sometimes, that even the people who refuse still have so much gratitude for what we are doing. We then took a little detour and ran into a bunch of guys sitting in front of a bank. One young man shook each and every one of our hands and said, "My name's Joseph." I told him to stay warm, as he was only wearing a sweatshirt, and he asked me where we were from. I said that we go to Lesley, and he started rambling about how it is such a great place. As I was talking to him, some others in the group were talking to his friends who were sitting on the ground. His friends were asking the group specific names, asking if they knew them as students at Lesley. It's wonderful to see the community that Lesley is in, and to know that we are not the only ones helping. During our debrief, I learned that when Lesley was re-building the library, some members on the board wanted to put little alcoves on the outside architecture for the homeless to have a place to stay at night. The library is currently alcove-free, but it's nice to see that people in the community recognize that those who are homeless are also a part of our community.

Spring break is next week, so we will not be running Lesley Delivers, BUT... the week after is Hunger & Homelessness Week! During this week (March 19th-23rd) we will be holding Lesley Delivers Monday through Thursday night with a Hunger Banquet on Friday. Keep your eyes open for posters and emails, as they will contain more information. Thanks to everyone who came out on Tuesday, love & hugs to all! Have a safe, happy and helpful Spring Break! :)

~Theresa

Another Awesome Run

For our run last Tuesday we had a fairly large group of people show up (I think about 13 or 14). I was pleasantly surprised because our last few runs had been quite small groups, which is understandable with midterms quickly approaching.

I went on the route that goes by the pit (the area by t entrance with the newsstand next to it). We stopped to hand out sandwiches, and one of the females began asking some questions. I had been giving out sandwiches to other people at the time so I wasn't close enough to hear what she was saying but found out afterwards that she had wanted to know what school we were from. She had also shared that she knew someone who goes to Lesley. I think she shared more details but the people who had been talking to her didn't feel comfortable repeating what she had said because it was personal, and she hadn't wanted it to be repeated. While I'm glad that she felt comfortable enough with the two people she opened to, she also tested the boundary of when we need to end the conversation. When speaking with those two people, she asked one if she lived on campus, or if it was one she would know. The people talking to her didn't share any information with her, but recognized it was time to continue on with our route.

On the way back, we still had sandwiches so we stopped by the pit again. The woman was still there, and this time we stayed together and offered her another sandwich. She looked at everyone who she hadn't talked to earlier, mentioning that she knew someone at Lesley but couldn't say more. Then she turned to the people who she told more, saying something about them understanding why she couldn't tell us more. The conversation then shifted, and she asked where people were originally from. She seemed to want more of an answer then our vague responses of being from Massachusetts. To prevent the conversation from getting more personal, we said our good nights and headed back.

I'm always glad when people felt comfortable enough, or trust us enough to share a bit of their story with us but it's always difficult to recognize how much information is too much, and what the best way to gently leave the conversation.

Ginny

Gratitude

Oprah Winfrey once said "If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough".

I believe this quote is something that needs to be taken to heart to more people in the world. Lesley Delivers gives me that awareness every week when we go out. It should never be about what we don't have, but being grateful for what we do! This week we had a rather small group, and on the route I took we didn't run into many people, which is always something to be happy about. I always hope that if we don't see anyone then they are somewhere much safer than on the streets. After we had done our route, we went over to the pit to see if we could give out our extra sandwiches. We came across a large group of young people who were all wrapped up in blankets, huddling under an overhang trying not to get wet. We gave out a lot of our extra sandwiches, as well as lots of socks. What really has stuck with me is one of the boys. He came up to us and said, "I'm Robo the Hobo, I like to drink Robitussin and wander the streets." Being part of Lesley Delivers, it's not our place to judge or pity, but it just really made me wonder what had happened for him to get to this point. He must have only been a little older than me, and that's what really struck home for me. He wasn't sad or angry, he didn't seem like he was mad at his situation at all. He was extremely friendly, and when we were giving him socks he just kept saying how we made him very happy, and that we were his friends, and he was grateful for what we have given him. He wasn't focusing on what he didn't have, but rather the things that he did have, and the things that we could give to him. It really makes me wonder if everything was taken away from me, would I be content with what I had, or would I be bitter about what I didn't? Ever since I started coming to Lesley Delivers, I've learned to be more and more grateful for what I have, rather than what I don't.

Thank you to all of you who came out last week, and can't wait to see your beautiful faces next week !

-Brianna

An Educational Encounter

Last Tuesday night our small Lesley Delivers group had an “interesting” encounter. We had offered a sandwich, coat and socks to a man who seemed new to the Harvard Square area. Upon acceptance of these items, he began to have a conversation with us. The conversation brought up some very interesting social concerns. He began the conversation discussing how the food at shelters was decreasing in quality but the decrease was masked by the vegetarian option. He brought up the point that when someone is homeless, he or she does not have the luxury to be vegetarian. One thing that he mentioned was that “no mental illnesses have ever been proven”. During reflection we discussed that he said this because he may had been dealing with mental illness. Mental illness is a controversial topic when discussing the homeless. Researchers have proven a correlation between mental illness and homelessness, but none have discovered which causes which. The homeless may be homeless because of mental illness; however, homelessness is a traumatic experience that may cause mental illness.

As he began to speak more, we became a little more concerned. He stated “did you know that you can get charged for third degree sexual assault by just looking at a young woman?” We questioned his motivation for saying this. A few members felt unnerved by this. He started to talk about how the people who work at the shelters were against the homeless and would get them arrested for no reason. He said that he had been convicted a couple times before. When one of the members of our group apologized, he responded with “would you say sorry to starving children in Africa?” On that note we decided to leave. This was a sticky situation for us. As members of Lesley Delivers we try to be as nonjudgmental as possible; however, we also need to be concerned for our safety. It is hard to balance this at Lesley Delivers but this is the main reason why we stay in groups and stay on well-lit routes. Overall it was a very educational experience to have it reminded us of the wide range of perspectives that exist.

~Claire

Welcome Back!

Thank you so much to everyone who came out last night on the first run of spring semester! I know it was a bit chilly, but we really helped a lot of people out. To start off, I'd like to introduce myself as the new co-president of Lesley Delivers, as Emay is in South Africa! I am looking forward to the responsibilities coming my way over the semester, and will do everything in my power to keep things running smoothly :)

Last night, we had a group of 21 students who joined us, which is quite a few! We split up into two groups, and I took my group over to the pit. Approaching the pit, I was immediately aware of the commotion: a group of people (who we have seen around before) were playing baseball with a large traffic cone and a milk crate. Yes, a milk crate. To avoid any injuries, we passed them in hopes that they would be done when we came back. We continued with the normal route, though we didn't see anyone else. On our way back to the pit, the group had moved on to throwing a concrete ring around the cone. Me and a few of the other people in my group approached them, offering sandwiches and coats. They were all so incredibly grateful, and that's what gets me every time. Though they were being loud and rambunctious, they still very much appreciated us giving them food and jackets. And that's the reason why I do Lesley Delivers. The fact that we can make someone's night by giving them a smile and a sandwich really makes me feel so wonderful. I know that the rest of the semester, as well as my two remaining years, will be just as fulfilling every time I go out there.

I just want to thank everyone again for coming out last night. You made my first run as co-president a wonderful one, and I hope to see you again soon! Ashley and I have big plans for where Lesley Delivers is going, in collaboration and events. We will definitely keep you updated with everything we have in mind, and hope you join us again!

~Theresa

The Value of Warm Feet

On a day to day basis, we worry about what we’re going to where, what we’re doing this weekend, and may be when that next paper is due. Between classes, work, and family obligations, I personally find it hard to slow down and take a minute to appreciate the aspects of my life I don’t have to worry about. I will be able to eat lunch today even though I didn’t bring food from home and tonight I will be sleeping in my own warm bed. I know where my next meal is coming and I know that when it gets cold outside, I have shelter and proper clothing to protect me from the climate. Before I decided to participate in Lesley Delivers, I lived my life aware that I was lucky, but unaware of exactly how lucky. Poverty is a scary aspect of our reality to many people because it is a threat to all. During our reflections, many people comment on how much this experience helps them to appreciate the small things in life. We talk about how even when we think we have nothing to offer, we always have the opportunity to form a bond with someone. For me, Lesley Delivers has helped me to move on from the fear of poverty and realize the humanity in it. I no longer shy away when I am approaching someone on the street; I smile and wish them a good day. Sometimes a smile and the recognition that, yes, I see you, is worth more than our pocket change. This is a lesson that, as president, I hope to provide to the Lesley community. Regardless of their condition or how they ended up there, we are all people and we all deserve to be seen.

Lesley Delivers is a unique opportunity to make a difference in the lives of individuals in our community. Some people we see only once and others we see every week. Last night, we approached a man that we have routinely seen. The fact that we approached him to offer a sandwich is not new, but his response was. In all of my time with Lesley Delivers, we have always offered and he has never accepted. Just as our guidelines specify, we respect his right to decline. Last night this man accepted our food. For me, this moment showed the impact that Lesley Delivers has with this community. To accept food from a stranger, there has to be a certain amount of trust. I do not know anything about this man’s journey, but I do know that last night this man trusted us. I am also happy to add that in addition to a meal, we were able to offer this man and the other people we met last night, a clean pair of socks. We have enough socks, donated by Boston Bowl, to last through the rest of the semester! In March, during Hunger and Homelessness Week, we sponsor a panel of members of the homeless community. One of the most striking comments that a participant made last year was that a clean pair socks was the best thing anyone could offer. Because of that comment, I worked to get sock donations this semester and we will now be able to hand them out with every sandwich.

I want to thank everyone who came out last night and to everyone that supports our initiative. Coming up at Lesley Delivers is our annual Coat and Blanket Drive, sponsored by Lesley’s softball team, beginning on November 14^th. Boxes will be all around campus and we welcome all gently worn coats, blankets, and winter accessories! Also, on Tuesday, November 15^th we will be co-sponsoring a movie event with Community Service Club and Students for Social Justice. We will be showing the movie, Pursuit of Happyness, that is about a man and his young son who find themselves homeless. The movie is based on the man’s autobiography and is truly an inspiration. Following the movie, we will be having a short discussion about portrayals of the homeless and hungry population in the media. After discussing issues of poverty we will then have the opportunity to take action by participating in a usual Lesley Delivers run! All aspects of the evening are optional, but we hope that people will come to this unique event. We are suggesting a donation of a non-perishable food and in exchange you will receive a raffle ticket for the chance to win one of three amazing prizes! We hope to see many of you there!

Again, thank you to all participants and supporters for making this semester as co-president of Lesley Delivers far exceed my expectations!

- Ashley

A bread-tastic surprise

Last night we encountered a fair amount of people within the first the few minutes of our run on the stretch by CVS. I continued down the Au Bon Pain route, and noticed some of the same people I've seen out other weeks. Something that caught my attention on the way back was a huge box of bread sitting at the back of one of the entrances to the t (the one right in front of the new Starbucks and Pinkberry). It looked like it from Panera. I know Panera doesn't keep their leftovers at the end of the night, but I'm pleased that someone was willing to drop the extras off at Harvard Square, instead of throwing them out. I mean, who doesn't love bread?

Last week we also saw some food left out near the church. I kind of wish there could be one place where people knew to leave food, and then people in need would know where to go. Speaking of that, one thing that came up during our discussion was that a usually popular spot near the Tannery that has been empty the last few weeks. The group that takes that route noticed that the small area closed off by tarps and wooden boards had been nailed shut. In previous seasons we had a relationship with some of the people we saw frequently, and we knew that closed off space was a safe place to leave sandwiches, blankets, coats, or anything else we might have to offer. We had been told by people who we frequently saw on our runs that it was safe spot, and that they would get to the people who needed them.

Something else that came up during discussion was that, as you all have probably noticed, it has gotten quite chilly outside! We do have a coat and blanket drive coming up in November, and we'll pass out the donations on our runs. I think it gets even harder to see people who are without a home as the weather gets worse, and I know I'll be glad to do what I can to help, even if it's as simple as offering them a blanket with their sandwich.

Ginny