After five weeks of traveling in the southeast, I headed back up to PA. I arrived late Saturday night from the build in Gainesville, the only hiccup being a little bit of ACC championship traffic around Charlotte. First order of business was sleep, and lots of it. Second order of business on Sunday was serving dinner in Reading at the Opportunity House. The Opportunity House is a place centered around not only feeding the residents of Reading, but also giving them and their families the opportunity to get back on their feet. Better yet, it's a place that mandates those who enter the doors for a meal, must stay over night, limiting bad decisions that could be made back on the streets.
NY Times published a disturbing article earlier in the year listing Reading, over every other U.S. city, as having the largest share of it's residents living in poverty. A city I grew up less than a mile from, and a place many of our parents and grandparents called home, and may even continue to call home. A city with over 40% of it's residents desperate for an opportunity to support and feed their families, or possibly even get an education. Things many of us easily take for granted on a daily basis.
I'd really like to stray from as many politically biased comments on this blog as possible...but do you think these 40% of people really care who gets married or serves our country? With all due respect to conservatives & liberals, there are clearly some pressing issues in this country that have nothing to do with any religious or anti-Christian agendas. It's about the opportunity to get an education, support your family and better your life. Period.
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| Opportunity House |
It's really been an eyeopening experience to witness just how many people in this country are struggling to put a meal on the table for themselves and their families. Through Feeding America I have been able to link up with some food banks along this journey. While at home, I spent a morning at the Greater Berks Food Bank, along with a small group from Wells Fargo, breaking down pallets for redistribution. Basically these food banks work with agencies, who then are responsible for distributing to or serving individuals in need. Instead of going on about the facts regarding hunger in our country, I hope reading this will direct you to the Feeding America website. May I also encourage each and every one of you to take some time out of your lives and get involved with your local food bank or one of the many associated agencies. While you may be surprised just how much food comes in to a food bank warehouse, many do not have the man power to function without the help of volunteers. If your time is too sparse, you would be also be amazed how far $1 goes through this organization.
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| Monday morning at the Greater Berks Food Bank |
Spending a few days at home was definitely food for the soul (despite no V&S), but the one thing I was really looking forward to was getting to spend some time at the Simple Way in Philly, Kensington to be exact. If you missed my introduction entry (http://ourpoorparents.blogspot.com/2011/11/welcome-to-our-poor-parents.html), this is where I tell you my favorite book is the Irresistible Revolution, written by the amazing Shane Clayborn, and it is a constant inspiration on this journey. He loves Jesus, hates war and questions where religion and politics ever crossed paths. Never once does he push his ideals, rather he shares his stories.
I want to highlight two things here before I proceed. First, for those of you familiar with Philly, you know Kensington is not in the nicest of areas. For those of you who are not familiar with the city, Kensington is in North Philly. Once a huge hub for the textile industry, Kensington boasted many warehouses and factories. That all changed in the 1950's and the area's population took a huge hit, causing many homes to be abandoned.
Second, I am not religious, nor do I pretend to be. I dislike the idea of uniform religion and church usually makes me feel very uncomfortable, with the exception of a few good services I've been to. What I am is spiritual, and what I have is an optimistic faith in a better world. One where we are blind to anything other than showing love, compassion and respect to every human being. And for that, I feel truly connected to the stories of Shane's book, and the inspiration behind The Simple Way Organization.
Moving on...I was excited to have Julie, who is also a fan of the book, join me on this venture. It was refreshing to have a second set of eyes and an opinion on what we were experiencing. When I began planning this trip, I knew I wanted to do what I could to include the Simple Way in to my experience. My inquiry turned me to Brett, labeled the Hospitality and Visitation Coordinator, but it's pretty safe to say none of the Simple Way staff are limited to specializing in their title.
The Simple Way is committed to the local Kensington community, planting their roots of the Simple Way Village House on the corner of Potter and Westmoreland. Here is where many of the interns will stay, here is where they worship, and here is where they open their doors to the neighborhood. Brett and his wife are interns, here from South Africa. Volunteering takes a bit of a different role here. Because of their ongoing commitment to the neighborhood, which has developed over a period of time, volunteering for them comes at more of a lengthy commitment. This way, residents of the community can develop relationships you over time. It takes time, especially in this area, which is why short term volunteering is more thought of as "experiencing" what the Simple Way is all about. Interns are the ones directly volunteering for the Simple Way with the average stay between 15 and 19 months.
If you plan on visiting the Simple Way for a short period of time, you will stay in the Hospitality House, a block down from the Village House. Comparable to a hostel, but in my opinion a little bit nicer inside. The first thing you notice are the bright colors. The downstairs walls were painted lime green, while the room Julie and I stayed in was painted bright orange. Brett explained that many of the visitors to the Hospitality House are usually broken spiritually and something as simple as the wall colors really makes a difference. They do ask that you respect the area and locals by not taking pictures while outside, so I apologize for the limited visual comprehension
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| Simple Way Hospitality House entrance |
Julie and I only stayed one night. We arrive Thursday afternoon and were lucky enough to get to sit with Brett for a while and discuss the Simple Way. What an awesome guy. I wish I could do his story justice by repeating it, but it would be impossible. He lists Irresistible Revolution as one of the three books that changed his life, so being able to sit and listen to someone who now directly works along side of Shane was pretty cool. After our conversation with Brett, Julie and I spent a quiet night indulging in some Trader Joe's veggie wraps and hanging out in the orange room. We both had individual welcome notes waiting on our pillow, loved it.
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| Welcome note on my pillow |
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| A small snippet of Brett's welcome note to me. Wow, did he get it exactly right. "I trust in the middle of this whirlwind crazy adventure trip you are on, that you will make time to be still. And even stop and know that he is God. This is His story. He invites you to be an important part of it, but you must always remain rooted to him [John1:5] as our fruit will be birthed from there. I hope this trip is encouraging you, challenging your comfort, helping you see with and through different eyes and keeping the hunger for things of him burning always deeper. Enjoy your stay." - Love Brett & The Simple Way |
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| Simple way living room art |
Julie and I attended an early morning service Friday at the Village House with Brett, his wife and two other of the interns staying in the house. This was a little bit strange for me because it was such an intimate group, but it was a short 20 minute service and I can see how this type of connection would help individuals questioning their faith or just beginning their spiritual journey.
Following the service, Brett walked Julie and I around the block, explaining how the Simple Way gets involved in the local community and also some additional facts about the area. One side of the Village House you have Potter St., filled with families and young children. The other side of the Village House you have Westmoreland St., filled with drug dealers. Brett told us the drug dealers are getting younger and younger, and they do fear of their remote proximity to the children on Potter St. During his five minute story, we watched exactly he said unfold. A large sum of money was exchanged between and man sitting on a flight stairs and a young boy. As we made our loop around the block, the same young boy offered us drugs. It's a tough battle for the Simple Way because while they want to make sure to supply a safe outlet for the neighborhood, they also do not want to turn their backs on those kids who need their help as well. It's a constant battle, especially when they see these young kids doing the wrong thing then turning around and getting involved in the organizations activities for the Potter St. families.
Because of slum landlords and the poverty level in Kensington, many homes are abandoned for cheaper homes, and while the cheaper homes could be just a few blocks away, those individuals may never be seen in the old neighborhood again. Potter St. seems to be the area's exception, and for that, the Simple Way wants to foster their commitment to those families. On a side note, there are actually more abandoned homes in the area than there are homeless people. With the help of the city trying to eliminate slum landlords, and the hopes of getting people off of the streets, you can actually purchase a house for $1, pending you upkeep its conditions for five years. Because of this, the Simple Way was able to purchase one of their homes for $1, and three more homes on Potter St. for $20,000. Here is where Shane, another co-founder and the Village House are located. I believe Brett said the administrative office building was the house they purchased for $1.
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| My favorite mural. Westmoreland side of the Village House |
Aside from monetary donations and grants, the Simple Way also receives all proceeds from Shane's book sales and speaking arrangements (I don't think I need to explain just how incredible this guys is). With this money the Simple way was able to build a neighborhood park for the kids on Potter St., amongst MANY other things.
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| This seems pretty realistic. You could probably just replace neighborhood park with "the world" |
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| Potter Street Neighborhood Park |
I'm thrilled to say there was an opportunity for Julie and I to help out after the service and our chat with Brett. The basement of the Village House was in desperate need a basement makeover ... well just some reorganization. From winter gear, to school supplies, to holiday decorations, to belongings from previous interns living in the house; we were able to help Brett's wife tackle some things she had been wanting to get done since moving in to the Village House. They recently were able to give out over 500 filled school bags to local children, and with the upcoming winter season, had received an influx of winter jackets. It's not uncommon for them to supply people on the streets with winter jackets, as many of them will come knocking on the front door of the Village House at any time, day or night.
All in all, we did what we could to help out in the house. It was such an honor and an experience to be a part of the Simple Way for 24 hours. There's no doubt I would do this again, and definitely for a longer period of time. I have so much love for this city, and I hope the Simple Way continues to bring out the best in Philadelphia.
While I would love to believe Irresistible Revolution is for everyone, I realize it may not be. Like this book, I can and will only express opinions based on my life experiences, rather than a conformed belief. No matter where you stand in this world's hazy religious/spiritual/faith spectrum, I do strongly feel this book will make you reevaluate your position in the community and what it means to give back. If you're hesitant, give it a chance, that's all I can ask.
Brett said it so well, "challenge your comfort ... see with and trough other eyes".
Love from the road,
Erin
PS. Love it, hate it, or just don't get it; I would love to hear back from you if you get the opportunity to read Irresistible Revolution!
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