There is a lady, who not too long ago had a house to call a home. Inside, however, was anything but safe. She was abused by her husband. She eventually got up the courage to leave and divorce him. The divorce left her penniless. The emotional toll taken on her from the abuse left her addicted to drugs and alcohol and eventually led her to being homeless. Homeless and desperate, she found herself in New Orleans roaming the streets. She finds a guy whom she thought would provide protection. Only, she needed protecting from him. He beats her, physically and mentally, he rapes her and then allows others to do the same. There is some safety in knowing that he is there, its the only "safety" she has known and can rely on. She eventually finds a center just out side the French Quarter that she can come in, just her, no men. She comes in. She's been beaten, raped, and has lost her shoes. The staff at the center give her shoes, clothing, and more importantly - they listen as she tells her story. She is angry, upset, and broken. The staff do something she has not seen, possibly ever in her life. They show her genuine compassion.
She asks repeatedly, "Why are you being so nice to me?"
The staff responds, "You are worth it. You are valued and loved by God. We too love and care about you."
She eventually starts coming more regularly. Years go by and she knows that the center is a constant refuge. She begins taking showers at the center. She get clean clothes, shoes, hygiene, and food as she needs it. Her demeanor changes. She knows the staff cares for her and she begins to care for the staff. She starts bringing donations from others that she can't use. She begins to laugh. She attends weekly Bible Study. She starts coming almost daily. She is drinking alcohol less. She tells staff at the center that this year she is going to change.
"It's a New Year," she says.
A staff responds with, "And a New You."
She declares that she is going to get her GED, take classes to work with senior adults, get her own housing, and become sober.
Since this declaration, she has been attending GED tutoring sessions and she has worked with another agency and has obtained housing. She cries. This time, it is for joy.
It's a New Year, It's a New Life.
This past weekend, we celebrated Christmas with our families. Because of some very special "elves" our families were able to have a great Christmas. Each child was able to open gifts and found exactly what they wanted. They (and their moms) are very thankful for those that gave. I one of the kids said that it was the best Christmas ever! When asked why, he said because he was able to open gifts with all his friends and family and see their faces light up.
