...but for the Grace of God

Our cracker jack (more like cracker) City Council is fighting the ACLU because they want to have secular prayer before city meetings even though it is unconstitutional. They argue that they are all Christian.

These same bastions of our society put a cap on the homeless shelters around town. Apparently a business owner complained about the homeless around his business which is located next door to the RESCUE MISSION. So, that meant that some people would be left out in the cold.

The Advocacy for the Poor and the Second Harvest Food Bank orchestrated putting together an overflow shelter for 40 in the basement of a downtown church. The fire chief tried to block it saying that the church would have to install a $100,000 sprinkler system first. There was a compromise and the shelter opened for 20. It is only open when the temperature dips below 45 degrees.

I volunteer at the shelter a couple of nights out of the month. There are usually six of us who volunteer under the direction of a paid supervisor to stay overnight with the homeless. The shelter is open from 8:30 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. We all work together to help check in our guests one at a time. Then we sit up in pairs for two hour shifts to keep watch in case of fire.

The paid supervisor goes over each guest with a wand to check for weapons. Valuables and small items like cigarettes, lighters and pocket knives are placed in large numbered manila envelopes to be locked away in an office for the night. Bigger things like bags and back packs are placed in large bins with corresponding numbers. Guests grab a mat, a blanket and a piece of parquet floor for the night.

One of the guests carries a big ring of keys that he snaps onto his belt. As soon as people start to wake up in the morning, he is looking for his manila envelope so he can get his keys. I can't help but wonder why this homeless man has keys. It is really moving to be with these people, all without a home for a myriad of reasons.

When volunteers are not on duty, we sleep in a room in the back. This is where I place my head. I close my eyes and say my prayers, always in thanksgiving for all that I have in my life. My wonderful life is full with my family and friends and a place to call home...