By Duncan Ende, Special to JTNews
I’m used to learning things in a classroom, but on the last day of spring break I embarked upon an educational journey I’ll never forget. With Dr. Wes Browning and Anitra Freeman, both members of the Real Change editorial committee, as my backstage pass, I venture into a world of new experiences, starting with a new name. For the day, call me Jackson. For the day, I am a homeless youth in Seattle.
First stop, the Belltown food bank. I see a line of people who look like they wish they could go back to sleep. But they can’t. Because if you don’t get there early, the line gets longer and the food runs out. The workers look stressed, but they’re keeping things moving. Their job is to make sure that as many people as possible can get food today, and to make the wait as short as possible. When it’s my turn, I look at the selection of food and see fruit, bread, dry rice, and cabbage. I quickly make my choices. The rice looks appealing, yet what’s the good of rice if you can’t cook it? Instead I take two more apples, and remember what Dr. Wes said to me earlier: “We waited in a long line for cold food.”
And I proceed to Tent City. I remember Dr. Wes telling me he would spend a whole day scoping out a place to sleep for the night when he was homeless. I realize that after living that way, seeing a community of tents in my eyes looks like opportunity. I can have a reliable place to sleep at night, a group of people I can grow to trust and befriend, and a place to keep my worldly possessions. It appears I’ve found the right place to get back on my feet.
I am lucky enough to catch a ride to the Orion Teen Center in downtown Seattle. As I enter the door they are just wrapping up lunchtime. I am offered food, a place to hang out, a locker to store my possessions, and even fresh clothes. I am told there are classes offered that can get me a high school diploma, and even job training. If I want to, I can take a class that teaches me how to be a barista at a coffee shop. I feel like I am in the midst of people who care about my future success, which is something that can motivate you more than anything else.
I again feel so lucky to have a car to drive me to my final stop. We arrive at Peace for the Streets by Kids from the Streets; it is not a large school building-type place like the Orion Center. Instead it is a comfortable house, cozy and inviting. I step inside, peer around, and can feel the chaotic, but also friendly and homey energy inside the place already. Elaine, who seems to be both commander and mother of the place, shouts to one of the teens. The girl comes to the front door, greets me kindly and hands me an initiation form to fill out.
After I finish the form, I’m told that as of that moment I have officially become a member of PSKS and can come back anytime. A guy who I can instantly tell is really friendly and cool sits down next to me; he says his name is Blue. We talk for a bit and he asks where I’m from.
“Vashon Island,” I reply.
He tells me he has been coming to Vashon for summers since he was seven years old. Hopefully I’ll run into him this summer when he comes out.
As it happens, this afternoon they are having a class on cartoon drawing taught by a member of PSKS. Invited to join in on the fun, I gladly accept the offer. I really enjoy the class, but the best part is having the opportunity to converse with people who grew up so different from me, but with whom I also have a lot in common.
I can tell that PSKS is home to a lot of the people who spend time here, a place where they can drop in and be themselves and feel comfortable. Heading back to Vashon, I think about the people I met, how fortunate I am, and how I cannot take my life for granted anymore.
And how important it is to help.
It doesn’t take much to make a big difference. The day I spent gaining knowledge, connecting with homeless people, and learning about people with hard lives opened my eyes in a way they never have been before. I think if more people could see what it’s like to have nothing, we’d all be inspired to give a little.
This piece originally appeared in the July 1, 2009 edition of the Real Change newspaper, which provides income opportunities for low-income and homeless residents of Seattle.