Community

During the run tonight, our group witnessed an extraordinary sense of community. While there are usually many instances of individuals sitting alone in Harvard Square, tonight we saw mostly groups of people, chatting, helping and sharing with one another. Although it was unfortunate and very saddening to see the amount of people we saw tonight, we were somewhat grateful to know that they provided support for one another. Their care for each other showed particularly at one moment, when a woman would give sandwiches up to others before taking one for herself. She took on a motherly role with this group, and made sure that everyone had a meal and was satisfied before she fulfilled her own needs. It is remarkable to think that even in the situations where food and shelter and other necessities are so scarce, people still look out for one another before themselves. I hope that because the people we delivered sandwiches to tonight were among other peers and had support; they were a bit more positive and hopeful than they would be if they had been alone. Community is so important to a person’s sense of security, because no matter what situation a person is in, they have a support network they can rely on for strength, safety, and belonging. This sense of belonging and shared experience seems as though it would be significant in helping a person to cope with the troubles they are dealt.
-Elissa