shelterworks News from the Willis Dady Emergency Shelter
Martha “All meaningful and lasting change starts first in your imagination and then works its way out. Imagination is more important than knowledge.� --Albert Einstein I think Albert Einstein was on to something when he made this statement. The last time we talked, a story was shared about a couple who had secured permanent housing with their two children and found the power within themselves to change their circumstance. And on this occasion we meet again to talk about change and how imagining that change can be as powerful as knowledge, more importantly self-empowering. In recent weeks, positive changes occurred with both a family and four single men in shelter. The father was able to obtain employment within seven days of entering shelter and four men moved into permanent housing. Within 14 days, the family was also able to leave shelter and move into their own apartment as well with their two children. Each of these clients at times, dared to imagine themselves and their circumstances as changing for the better. There were days when each felt doubtful about moving into a place that they could call their own. For one gentleman, change felt unattainable, for another it felt as if he had spent so much time being homeless that his belief in himself started to waiver and his emotions were beginning to get the best of him. Another stayed occupied with attending meetings to address his substance abuse and surrounded himself with a safety net prior to leaving shelter. Each of these men had something from the past that kept them from seeing themselves
Summer
2012
beyond homelessness. They were knowledgeable about their lives from their experiences. And they had the stories to prove it by sharing them. However they soon discovered that they lacked the imagination to make changes that would be meaningful and life changing in the long run. Once they realized a vision of how they could change their circumstances, they began to work hard at trying to take the necessary steps in preparing to leave shelter. It was exciting when the day arrived for them to sign the papers for their apartments. I was just as excited as they were about moving out of shelter. A call for donations for these gentlemen and the family went out to the community. And the community responded with enthusiasm. Those days we spent imagining what that day would look like for them had finally come full circle for them. We laughed, hugs were exchanged and stories were told about those tough days when each of us probably waivered in imagining that better days was just around the corner. Sometimes in the midst of crisis we forget what it would be like to have a job, a permanent place to live for ourselves and our families and pay the bills without having to choose between utilities and food. It is understandable because at that very moment survival is the main goal and objective. No doubt we have all experienced it at some point in our lives. Experience only varies by degree. Yet we need to be reminded that to imagine is to move beyond the immediate struggle and dare to envision a better life where we can work, put food on the table, take care of ourselves and family in a place that we can come home to at night knowing that we imagined a better life and made it so. Our imagination counts when it comes to living and making lasting changes. -Martha
Willis Dady Emergency Shelter Board of Directors Janet Slimak, President David Fisher, Vice President Tim Wilson, Executive Director
Dave Thielen Treasurer Bobette Ash, Secretary
Jasmine Almoayed Anthony Arrington John Ehrhart Gabe Erickson
Kay Henry Eric Jacobs Rebecca Jacobs Sam Jones
Jesse Martinez Theresa Ann Trimble Jason Vestweber Robin Wagner