Opening Eyes: Youth Learn About Homelessness
FMF staff had the pleasure of hosting 46 7th graders from Global Academy on March 15. We were projected to have 20 students, but when the Associate Principal explained that they had an opportunity to visit an actual location more students jumped at the opportunity. I was super excited to have students come in and learn about homelessness and to shake off any stereotypes or myths they may have heard about a family shelter. When they arrived they were taken aback by the fact that I was there to greet them with the Islamic greeting of As Salaam Alaikum (Peace be upon you) and that I was wearing a headscarf (hijab), looking like the young ladies coming in.
As they piled into our conference room, the room naturally divided into boys on one side and girls on another. It warmed my heart to see this because I could relate from my own personal background as being a Muslim. However I was quickly reminded that they were still 7th graders, with lots of energy and we were at a shelter not the mosque. I was reminded when I stood in front of the room to gather their attention so I can do my PowerPoint presentation that being quiet to listen wasn’t there yet because of the excitement of being in the shelter and not at school. Some of you know that I was in the military, so I had to put on that hat and bring them back to the topic at hand, Families Moving Forward. The way I laid out the information was showing the video of Journey Home 2015. This video sparked a lot of questions, so I spent the next 20-30 minutes answering questions for them. If they asked a question they received a piece of candy. They asked many questions and even helped me answer what their friends asked. We gave a tour of the center, they spoke with a shelter guest, and ended the day by playing the Home Sweet Homeless board game. We took at picture together and hugs were received from the students.
A week later I received in the mail letters from two students speaking of their experience:
From Safa: “I was very impressed with Families Moving Forward. I didn’t expect it to be so happy and friendly. This trip gave me a new view on homelessness. I think it is amazing what Families Moving Forward is doing. You are helping people and making a difference in their lives for the better. I didn’t understand homelessness and usually what my family thinks is that they having a drinking problem or do drugs. I knew it was more complicated, but I never actually understood it. Seeing the family’s pictures and hearing their stories really opened my eyes even more. The thing I loved most was how everyone got along – kids were walking around and everyone was respecting each other, and being friends. I feel that the people there were a family and the workers knew each other for years. I feel like it was a strong community and I respect that.”
From Ahmed: “Our experience at the place was really good. I learned that you guys change lots of people’s lives by providing them a home and something they could eat. Before I went to this place I really didn’t know anything about homeless and what they go through. I really liked when you were giving us a tour of the shelter. We got to see what it feels like to be homeless. I learned lots of good things that I will never forget about. And also that girl that was moving out was very inspiring because she told us we should stay in school and listen to our parents so we don’t end up here. The people that worked there were really nice and gave each one of us candy. Thank you very much for having us.”
