UPS & DOWNS January 2002

WELCOME to Natasha, Sade', Lisa, Rena, Shelly, Kathleen and Karen.

FAREWELL AND BEST WISHES to April, Daulton, Feather, Cathy, Chelsea and Connie who have moved to other housing!

HAPPY JANUARY BIRTHDAYS to Natasha and Kathleen!!

A SPECIAL THANK YOU to all who came out on the longest night of the year in support of National Persons Memorial Day! Though December 21 has passed, the memory of those who have died while homeless will not. The hope that someday there will be affordable housing for every family will live on in the hearts of those in this community as well as the private citizens that support and care for the homeless. Join us in the hope that 2002 will see an end to homelessness and poverty in our country.

LAST YEAR CECIL COUNTY PROVIDED 27,110 BED NIGHTS TO 870 HOMELESS WOMEN, MEN, AND CHILDREN WHO SOUGHT HELP THROUGH CECIL COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES, MEETING GROUND, IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH AND OTHER OUTREACH PROGRAMS. LAST YEAR CECIL COUNTY GROUPS AND AGENCIES WERE FORCED TO TURN AWAY 525 HOMELESS CITIZENS SEEKING EMERGENCY SHELTER DUE TO LACK OF EMERGENCY BEDS.

January is also a time for us all to remember and pay tribute to DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING. His philosophy is one that challenges us all to recognize each other as equal, in a society where prejudices still exist.

AT WAYFARERS HOUSE on the third Tuesday of the month,
10:00 a.m., sketching class in the dining room

Each Wednesday, 7:00 p.m. - Parenting/Communicating Group

Focus on spirit group with Raven Thursday, 10:00 a.m.

Nutrition classes in the dining room

Esther Smith has edited this newsletter, UPS & DOWNS, since its beginning. Now she must attend to other areas of focus in her life and will not be continuing in this effort. It is not only effort in which Esther has involved herself at Meeting Ground. She has literally been a rock, and
I want to tell you some of the ways she has made a difference.

Esther has remembered the birthday of each resident at Wayfarers' House. What a gift! What a personal day, and what a celebration for that person. Esther has made sure that no one was left out; that that very special day for each person is not overlooked. She has made us all aware of birth dates, has provided a card and a cake for each person. Esther has spent many afternoons in the livingroom of Wayfarers' House, sitting on the couch with a child on each side of her, reading stories, opening up vistas of imaginations those children didn't know they had. I know those children are reading stories themselves now. And how many times has she visited someone who has moved into their own apartment, driving them to the doctor or grocery store? Maybe she has done this while driving around town to deliver UPS & DOWNS to local agencies.

She put together a book that we call the "Volunteer Handbook" which contains pertinent information about Meeting Ground, what is our foundational philosophy, what are expectations of staff and residents, what community resources are available, and procedures for accessing those services. Each new worker/volunteer has the assignment of reading through this book upon coming to Meeting Ground. We use it each day as a resource tool.

In the summer of 1998, Esther began a "Parenting & Communication Class." She teamed up with Mary Jo Williams and they worked together to formulate a unique program that addresses immediate parent/child/communication issues. They started with the "HOW TO TALK SO KIDS WILL LISTEN, and LISTEN SO KIDS WILL TALK" series of parenting classes by Elaine Faber. After working on these principles for a while, they incorporated a program from a Dr. Downer on "Homeless Parenting Issues." All along they used related materials and current events to stimulate interest and discussion. Their classes evolved to the point that they didn't need to follow the material and dose out "learning," but rather, they listened to the women, to their concerns and communication problems, and then tried to relate their learning to the specific event and issue with that particular mother. This class served as both an educational forum, and support group. Mothers and women are continually trying to practice parenting skills each day at Wayfarers' House that they have learned in these classes. Sometimes judges in Elkton order a mother to attend these classes!

Mary Jo commented on her teamwork with Esther in presenting and facilitating these classes: "We were so much on the same wave length that we got to the point where we didn't have to plan ahead. There was an evolution of thought; we got to a place where we could hook onto the issues the women brought up, and relate them to resources and structure. We were a support group for each other." One of the things Esther and Mary Jo incorporated into class was a gift each week. These included things like Emergency Numbers with Glo Sticks, Coasters representing prevention being easier than cleaning a mess, Band-aids to symbolize a shelter stay, Bottled water which represented good health practices, a Face mask for those mothers that smoke, Candy life savers to sweeten one's mouth, both physically and in eliminating cursing, Gift boxes to encourage generosity, an Envelope with a stamp, an Egg to represent the fragility of life, Magnets saying "Practice Kindness," Wash Hand Often stickers, Squeeze Ball to alleviate stress, puzzles, potpourri, bubbles to play with your child, stuffed animals cuz everybody needs a hug, Nourish your spirit with a flower calendar, bell necklaces can provide a gift for someone under $1, post-its to remember special people and events, and many more.

Here are some comments I got when asking around about others' experiences with Esther:
- she has a presence about her ... when she's in a room I feel like she likes me, she's for me, on my side, supportive ...
- Esther is a living testament, continually giving out helpful , insightful, and hopeful vibes ...
- I just found a card the other day that Esther sent me when my niece was killed. I was touched by her kindness again ...

And so, You leave these duties at Meeting Ground, a better place then it was before you came. And we know you're not really leaving, because the door is wide open for when you come back. We will try to continue the good work you have begun. You will always be in our hearts! And we will continue to grow as you have taught us and shown us. Thank You & God Bless You, Esther.