Melissa, Helen, Sheila, me
Last Thursday on the Corner brought familiar faces and unfamiliar, strengthened old relationships and forged new ones.
people circled for glasses + meals
Bridging North Dallas & South Dallas is a primary goal of my work on the Corner, in South Dallas, and with the homeless. I believe that the more we interact and build relationships, the stronger we become. Truly, each side has something unique to offer the other!
My sister Helen and my friend Melissa joined me Thursday on the Corner. The best part about it is that we got to pass out reading glasses, and therefore were able to interact with some of the homeless people we do not talk to as much.
If you have followed the blog for any amount of time, you know that Helen set up a CrowdTilt page and we raised over $250 to purchase more than 50 reading glasses. Many of our homeless friends were using the wrong strength prescription, but last Thursday they got to leave with reading glasses that actually met their needs!
Helen & Melissa helping people find the right glasses for them!
Most of the homeless women go into the shelter earlier than the men, so normally we have mostly men on the Corner from 2-4 p.m. That's why it was a real joy to get to meet Sheila (pictured above) for the first time! She was so full of personality and excitement. She loved her new glasses and felt extremely stylish. She was just adorable.
I love having new "North Dallas" people join me on the Corner. To watch them interact with the homeless is one of my favorite things. It's amazing to see connections being formed between people who perhaps on the outside look different from each other. On the inside, we are so similar. We are so very human, all with life stories full of ups and downs. Helen and Melissa beautifully shared love with my homeless friends, and I believe received the same in return.
It's amazing to travel just a few miles down the road to join hands with those who have less materially than we do. It's amazing to be cared for by them in return. It's amazing to see bonds strengthened. We are truly a fortunate City, and I'm so excited to see us come together!
Helen & one of our new homeless friends who received new glasses!