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 :)

  

Mercy House Cold Shelter Delivery, Take 2

My drop off of everything went well today...

It's becoming the norm for me to leave there in tears. Tonight, for the first time this year... I saw kids in the line. I will be honest, a lot of times I look away before I see any. Today it was so crowded I couldn't help it.

I dropped off a lot of stuff and another family was dropping off bags of stuff as well. This weekend I am actually volunteering at the shelter. I have a feeling I'm going to have a hard time. It makes me so sad.

This ended up being about half of what I had. (I took the picture then kept collecting before I finally made it over there). I had a bag with a blanket and sleeping bag, another blanket, a few more clothes, some diapers and more toiletries.  I am excited for Sunday, to be inside the Armory and Shelter and to see exactly what these donations are doing.  

Heartbroken

I can tell you the last time I actually felt my heart break.

It was on April 10, 2010 when Kahlua died.

Until today.

I literally felt my heart break when I was turned away at the Mercy House Cold Weather Shelter - because they are closed tonight.  The Armory needed the location for training.  

While this probably doesnt sound like a big deal, what actually broke my heart was seeing people lined up along the fence where they usually wait to get in.  Laying down on the sidewalk, sleeping were what looked like two young military men.  They were not the only two in line, but they were the two that just made me feel horribly heartbroken.  I dont know their story of course, and I dont know if they are military men, I know nothing of course.  I really wanted to give the first guy in line a blanket that I have in my trunk, on top of the other stuff I have to donate.  I pulled out of the parking lot and I started to cry - and I havent stopped yet.  I drove in a circle, and then I drove home.  I did not stop to give him the blanket because I felt guilty that I didnt have one for every person in that line.  I didnt want to upset anyone and I didnt want to cause a problem for the one guy if I gave only him a blanket... but I feel extremely guilty.  They probably dont know yet that they dont have a roof over their head for the night, they dont have a hot shower to take, they dont have a bed to lay down in where they can sleep in safety for the night... He had no blanket and I feel so horrible for leaving... but I didnt know what else to do.

I cant stop crying, and I seriously feel so heartbroken for everyone on that sidewalk who will be sleeping outside on this freezing cold night.  I will drop the donations off tomorrow night, but tonight, I just feel...sad. 

Holiday Outreach Program, December 17th, 2011

I have to admit... I was really excited to volunteer at this event... since I signed up for "Toy Distribution".

I am sad to say, it was not what I expected.

People signed up for this event, and they arrived and checked in, and were given a ticket with a number on it.  They brought that ticket over to me, and I would call off the numbers, and a few other volunteers were in the back grabbing the bags that had the matching numbers on them.  The bags were big black trash bags, and they had the toys inside.  90% of the people grabbed the bags and moved on, not even saying thank you.  There were also women taking these donations with nice acrylic nails, some even airbrushed... they had their hair done... it just bothered me.  If you are accepting donations for your children for the holidays, yet hair your hair and nails done, perhaps your priorities need to change. Drastically.

Regardless, it was a nice event, and the participants were also given food.  There were a few people who were extremely thankful and that made it worth it.  Some of the children were adorable as well, and very thankful.

I volunteered at this event by myself, but the organizer of the Meetup group I belong to stopped by and took some pictures, which I will share below.

Me, standing in the doorway where I took peoples tickets to call of the numbers.  Hands on my hips, sassy as ever :)

Mercy House Cold Weather Armory Shelter Donation

Today I went around and picked up lots of clothing to be donated to this shelter. I also shopped the last few days with money people sent... Buying toiletries, gloves, beanies... I had so much fun. By the time I was done today, my trunk and entire back seat were at max capacity.

My friend Tina came with me to drop everything off. She handed out gloves to the people already waiting in line to be let into the shelter when it opened. That made me smile. She had one guy ask for black gloves which was kind of funny... But we found him some black ones.

It was an amazing feeling to drop everything off knowing many people will be warm thanks to everyone's generous donations. Thank you!!!

My full trunk...

My back seat, completely packed solid

Everything inside the Armory...

I am still collecting items!  Toiletries (travel sizes are preferred), razors, shaving cream, feminine products, socks, shoes (hiking boots, uggs), new underwear in packages, gloves, beanies, jackets, sweatshirts, pants... CASUAL clothing - warmth being the key, not style.

Whitten Heights Senior Center - Memory Care Program December 11th, 2011

Today I spent an hour and a half at Whitten Heights Senior Center on the second floor, which is their Memory Care program.

It was a little awkward, as they had the residents seated at a table, and the volunteers walked up to talk to them, but there were not seats for us and it was hard to talk to them the way it was set up a little bit.

There were a few birthdays for the month of December, only one of the residents were there... the one man among all the women.  He, was hilarious.  He sang to some of the girl volunteers, kissed one on the cheek... he was a pistol, for sure!  We sang Happy Birthday, and he loved it.

There was one woman who only spoke Spanish, and I do not speak any Spanish... she grabbed my arm and would not let go.  They had her up from the table, because she was getting a little "hostile" and they said she needed to walk it off.  She was talking to me non stop and laughing, and I felt bad because I didnt understand her and she didnt understand me.  At one point she wanted to pick my nose, and the nurse stopped her.  It was pretty funny.  But one of the guys there, listening, told me she thought I was her granddaughter.  I said I felt bad because I couldnt understand her or talk back, and he said really - all that matters is she is happy her granddaughter came to see her today.  It is what it is :)

This was an experience, I would like to say I will do it again but I wish the setup was a bit different and that we could sit down next to the residents, and get comfortable and talk to them.  It was setup just a bit awkward.  But it was a nice day, and we made them happy!

In the elevator... heading up.

 All of us who volunteered today.  Some through the Meetup group I was with and some from a Church Ministry.

 The gorgeous tree in the lobby.

Upcoming Volunteer Events

This weekend I am volunteering at a Senior Center... its only an hour and a half, and we get to celebrate this months birthdays then spend time with the seniors... talking, listening, laughing... The residents are in the memory care program... so Im sure it is going to be a little emotional... reminding me of my grandmother - but I am happy I get to experience this.

I have also signed up for a few Sunday evening shifts at a homeless shelter I have wanted to be involved with for years!  I pass this homeless shelter on my way home from work every day, and I also did when I worked at Ambrosia.  It is only open during the "cold months" and every night when I passed by previously (Its not open yet this year) and I saw the long line of people waiting - and so many children... it made me cry.  Every.  Single.  Night.

I couldnt figure out how to volunteer in the past, but now I am able to do so through the Volunteer Meetup group I am part of.  I am so excited.  I think its going to be hard, but I am up for the challenge.  In the past I have always wanted to make little bags of goodies and wake up early one Saturday or Sunday and take them to the homeless people sleeping in the park next to this shelter.  I never did because I always wanted someone to go with me, for a few reasons.  Safety was one.  However this year, I am going to just do it.  I have learned, sadly, if I want to do something, the best way is to just do it on my own - otherwise it wont happen.  That being said, if you are interested in joining me, please let me know and we can pick a morning.  I plan to just get snacks at the dollar store and pack them in small bags with handles so they are easy to hand out, or leave next to someone if they are sleeping.