Faith&Friends
COMMON GROUND
Photo: pixelfit/gettyimages.ca
“ Thanks For Helping Me” For people living on the street, the COVID-19 pandemic has made their lives worse. That’s where The Salvation Army comes in.
S
by Linda Dixon
he enters our offices making not a sound, but the steady flow of tears coursing down her face utters more than words could say. The telltale signs of life on the street are evident. Five-foot-five, perhaps, with green eyes, sandy brown hair. Pretty … except, it’s difficult to look past the dark blue bruising on her face. Daniella, the administrative assistant at The Salvation Army’s North Toronto Community Church, sums up the situation in a glance and bustles her into the community and family services office. Chrissy The woman is incredibly fragile. Life on the street at the best of times is stressful. Vigilance is essential. The potential for violence is always present and this woman knows something about that violence. For people living on the street, in this
8 • JULY 2020 I faithandfriends.ca
COVID-19 pandemic, even the few
small stress relievers upon which they rely are robbed—a spot indoors to sit, just for a bit; a compassionate stranger offering change; a hot coffee; a place to wash their hands. “Hi.” I invite her to sit. “My name is Linda. What can I help you with today?” I smile at her before I ask my standard line of opening questions, not wanting for a moment to presume that I know what this suffering person needs. To ask the question is, to my thinking, a sign of respect— even when, to me, “What could I not help you with?” seems the far more appropriate question. “I’m hungry and need ... ” words trail off. A pause. “Yes. I can help you,” I say. Now the tears tumble out with a jumble of words impossible to decipher amid gulps of air. “First, let me get you something to eat.” Wordlessly, Chrissy—for that
