This commentary is by Curt Lindberg of Waitsfield.
“Do you have any socks?” “If you can return tomorrow, we’ll have some new warm wool socks for you.” “Oh, thank you.” (I saw many thin, wet, cotton, hole-filled socks.)
“Will the volunteers be here all night? I’m a little anxious sleeping in this open space with some of the men here.” “Yes, there will be two of us here and awake all night.”
“The stew was delicious. Is it OK if I have more servings?” “You sure can. This is why we made extra.” (A couple volunteers made a big batch of stew and also brought rolls, oranges, fruit bars, milk and other drinks.)
“You’re looking better this evening.” “I got a good night’s sleep here last night. It’s much better than sleeping in my car.”
“Don’t forget the Friday community supper at Hedding Church. You know, you’re always welcome to join us.” “Really?”
“If we continue using the Barre Auditorium basement as an emergency shelter, we need to make it a more welcoming, comfortable space. Comfortable chairs, some temporary partitions, some basic kitchen equipment and little bedside rugs wouldn’t cost that much. I’m going to bring this up at the planning meeting tomorrow. My neighbors without homes deserve better. I love them.”
“Can I pet your dog? How old is he?” “Sure, you can pet Geordie. He’s a big three-year-old puppy.” (Geordie visited everyone, eliciting many smiles.)
“Tomorrow at lunchtime we’re having our monthly networking meeting of volunteers and representatives from the churches, the city of Barre, Good Samaritan Haven, People’s Health & Wellness, Red Cross, and the Health Department to share information about what we’re doing for people without homes and how we can collaborate to help our neighbors even more. Can to join us?”
These are snippets of conversations I heard at the emergency shelter opened in Barre during the recent below-zero weather. I answered a call for volunteers from the Medical Reserve Corps.
My heart was broken seeing fellow Vermonters with no place to call home or warm place to sleep straggle into the auditorium, seeking some warmth, food and a place to sleep.
My heart was warmed seeing how the citizens and organizations of Barre have come together around the needs of those without a place to live. The local volunteers told me about the efforts to open the emergency shelter, how churches provide meals and places to stay warm during the day, how the library has opened its doors, how Good Samaritan had an outreach worker visiting homeless encampments to make sure residents knew about the emergency shelter, how the police department has employed a social worker, and how one of the churches has an outreach coordinator who works tirelessly to help those without homes get connected with services.
One of the key galvanizing figures in this citywide effort seems to be Tess Taylor. She greeted everyone as they entered the shelter last week. She obviously knew them, and the overnighters were obviously comforted to see a familiar face and meet her dog.
Tess has a new position for the City of Barre as homelessness and housing liaison. Tess is also active in the Church of the Good Shepherd’s services to support those without homes.
Organizing the networking meetings is one of her responsibilities. She told me that 40 people attended the previous meeting. To make the meeting conversations as productive as possible she asked attendees to address three questions:
- How and where will we put up warming centers each morning in a way that creates community?
- How can our group help formulate a strong city unhoused community committee?
- How are we doing feeding people?
Through compassion, creatively, and large doses of collaboration and generosity much has been accomplished in Barre. Imagine how much more could be accomplished if the citizens, town and state governments of Vermont came together as they have in Barre to find lasting solutions to the challenge of homelessness that didn’t depend on emergency arrangements and temporary housing options. This would be even more heartwarming.
Read the story on VTDigger here: Curt Lindberg: Heartbreaking, heartwarming.