Guests

This entire week I’ll be volunteering in an amazing soup kitchen, Dorothy’s Place, named after Brooklyn born Dorothy Day (look her up). This is a place where guests, which is what the volunteers/staff at Dorothy’s call those who use their services, go for food, laundry services, and company.

I’ve met some incredible people in the last two days. The guests are respectful of the space, they greet each other and the volunteers and have extraordinary stories to share. This place really puts things into perspective and allows you to see poverty in a completely different way.

It’s important that these people are called guests and not homeless people. Whether they have a home or not does not define them. Their past is much more complicated than you may assume. The circumstances that led them to this particular point in their lives are devastating and for many truly beyond their control.

I’m excited to listen to their stories and opinions. This is truly a beautiful experience.