NC State University

by junior Kate Webber

This spring break I was given the opportunity to go to Philadelphia and work with two parts of the homeless population there, while spending my days immersed in different religions. My trip differed from the other trips offered through CSLEPS in that we were able to discuss our service in the context of religion, which to me are two inseparable topics. This experience opened my eyes to my personal stereotyping of a homeless person and how the homeless population does not fit that stereotype.

At the first shelter I worked at I met four different families, all with children. Most of the parents had jobs, and some even had cars. They were all there for various reasons, whether it is the inability to get ahead enough financially to move into a home of their own or the choice to move out on their own. I was given the opportunity to talk to these people, two women in particular. JA had a bachelor’s degree in biology and was trying to go back to school for nursing. She didn’t match the stereotype of those who drop out of school and don’t have a drive to do anything in life. Her 2-year-old was the joy of my time there, a total ball of energy that was her mom’s entire world. JS was 19 years old with a 9-month-old little girl. She moved out of her parents’ house and into the shelter by her own decision, needing to be out on her own. These were two dynamic, intelligent women facing the world that looked down on them but not giving up.

The second shelter was entirely different. Grace Café was set up for those deemed “shelter resistant.” This term means they are unable to function in a public shelter setting or are not allowed into one. Those who come to Grace Café are drunk, high, stoned, have mental disorders, or cannot deal with the crowding and noise of other shelters. Although, at first, these people seemed to fit my stereotype of the homeless population, it soon completely changed when I was able to talk to them. They were dynamic, intelligent individuals with incredible personalities and who were polite and thankful for the smallest things in their day. I talked to one 19-year-old the majority of my second night there. She was there because of a drug addiction, but was a normal teenager. Three of us talked to her for over an hour about everything: music, where she was from, our families, etc. She was one of us who had made a bad decision but was living her life.

My experiences at the homeless shelters helped open my eyes to how easily one thing can happen in life, whether it be bad credit, an unplanned pregnancy, a drug habit, or various other circumstances, and you end up in such a situation as to be classified homeless. It’s not that you’re uneducated, un-human, unworthy; it’s just that you’re in a bad place in life. These women and children allowed me to see the other side of poverty and homelessness that isn’t always discussed and gave me the opportunity to actually discuss it with those experiencing it.

The religious aspect of my trip has opened my eyes to different traditions, some that I didn’t know existed, and has unexpectedly helped me solidify my beliefs in my own religion. I’m excited that I was able to experience these religions and have open discussions about them because I have never had an opportunity like this before. I even learned a different perspective on my own religious tradition.

This trip will continue to impact my life. I now have a greater thirst for knowledge about other religions and have continued to explore these after the trip. I also am hoping to get involved with the Interfaith Hospitality Network in Raleigh. This trip was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I could not be more thankful for.