Mercy House Santa Ana Cold Weather Emergency Shelter

I honestly dont even know where to start this blog entry.

This was my first time volunteering at the shelter.  I have seen this shelter for a few years - driving home from work - now and when I worked at Ambrosia.  So far, I have done drop offs only of items I have collected from people (mainly my parents friends, and a couple of mine).  So I would pull in, see the people in line, empty my car, and leave.  Tonight was the first time I was inside the Armory to volunteer.  I was in awe.  No pictures were allowed, per the Armory so I was not able to capture what I saw.  However, it will FOREVER be in my memory.

The trunk full of clothes I brought in were taken to the back, and separated by size, mens, womens, etc.  They were set out on tables for people to go through.  Everyone was allowed to take two items.  Some of the women were really excited to get a cute jacket.  There were two women who talked to me, and told me outrageous stories.  One woman told me how she has died, and come back, and was paralyzed and had cancer, I didnt hear everything she was saying - but I just listened and shook my head and comforted her.  Thats all she wanted. Her name was Connie and she asked me to pray for her.  So I did.  And you should too.  Just because.  She asked and she needs it. The other woman had some mental problems, and was telling me all of the different places she went, and how she saw kids she knew were hers everywhere... my heart broke for these people.  Everyone was so thankful and a few people said God Bless You, which made me feel good.  They were so thankful.

The hard part was there were hardly any mens items.  So most of the men didnt get anything.  A lot of people just wanted a pair of socks. And I didnt even have that to give them - it was heart breaking.

There were two blankets I had brought in today, and I didnt see who took the one - but it was a colorful knitted blanket... and the person went to their mat and laid down under it and went to sleep.  That blanket, and the clothes on their back were the only things that person owned.  They had not one thing else.

Other volunteers laid down mats on the floor.  Thin, twin size mats.  They mopped them down, then sprayed them with lysol.  Flipped them and did the same thing.  The mats were lined up - next to each other - touching - in rows of probably 20 or more, and about 3 deep.  No personal space.  Everyone came in, put what they owned on their mat, and just did their thing.  People knew each other from being in the shelter together and there was some friendly chatter. 

There were people in there wearing pants that were so small they couldnt button or zip them.  There were a few pregnant girls.  There seemed to be a group of younger (mid-late 20s) kids that all hung around together, happy to see each other at the end of another day.  A very small few seemed intoxicated, but no one was really out of control. Only one outburst from one female happened - apparently someone was touching her stuff.

When everyone arrived, popcorn was served.  Then dinner was brought in and served - rice and beans and tortillas, I believe from a Temple down the street - I do not know what kind of Temple - Indian perhaps?  Peruvian?  Pardon my ignorance.  They also had coffee and juice, until it ran out.  Volunteering was over after dinner was served and cleaned up... and I waited until a few people left, as they advise you not to walk out to your car alone.

I am not even covering half of what I experienced... and I dont even know that I could ever put it into words.  I truly am thankful that I have parents that would never let me get to this point in life.  I will always have a roof over my head, and tonight showed me just how lucky I am.  And thankful.  Listening to peoples conversations, like a woman saying her son just got an apartment with his girlfriend, two bedrooms, and he will not let her stay there... broke my heart.  It all broke my heart.  

I really want to continue to collect items, as many as I can for this shelter.  PLEASE, look in your closet, look in your drawers, just look... jackets, socks, shoes (boots and tennis shoes), pants, sweaters, long sleeve shirts... anything anyone can wear in this cold weather... they have nothing.  If you can part with it, please do.  I will collect it from you.  I am volunteering again (I dont remember when) but I would LOVE to bring car loads of items OFTEN to this shelter.  It is so needed.  I will beg if I have to... please :)