FEATURE ARTICLES
VOLUNTEER MAGIC POWER
It was a Monday night at the Gateway Center, following a fortnight of growing overflow of woman and children. The numbers soared like a jet leaving Dobbins. Mats on the floor are rule of the day. More than 100 women and children on the mats, on the floor. We are now seeing scores of new women and their children come through the doors seeking services, employment, housing, escape from abusers, and new starts. They share two things in common: they are all homeless and they are all seeking a path out of homelessness. For most, hope has dimmed; almost vanished.
Community resources are limited and the overflow of women and children has become part of daily life at the Gateway Center. The national economic meltdown has contributed significantly to the growing numbers. Persons experiencing eviction are commonplace. New stresses ultimately fracture families. The persons that come to the Gateway Center are the first to feel the impact of the nation's financial crisis, and sadly, may be the last the experience its recovery. These are tenuous days! These are stretched days!
Nevertheless, in the midst of the community crisis and tsunami of humanity that comes through the gates every day, there was a glimmer of normalcy and subtle ray of hope on this Monday night. It was a bit like seeing magic. Five volunteers arrived with their bags of magic tricks -- books, art supplies, flashcards, worksheets, and large smiles and open hearts. They had even brought cookies! They had spent the day working at their school. They all had experienced a long, long day already. They all had family responsibilities waiting for them. However, for a moment 20 school-age children experienced normalcy in the midst of the chaos that accompanies homelessness.
The volunteers did their magic. The children gathered around tables. Volunteers called the children by their own name. Artwork emerged. Flashcard drills in math and English popped like Orville Redenbacher's Gourmet Popping Corn in a microwave! Children from first grade through tenth grade were laughing, smiling, working, cooperating, and sharing. For a moment these were not homeless children, they were simply children. Children having fun. Children experiencing the personal impact that comes when experiencing the feeling of value and having worth.
How did it happen, this transformation? It was volunteer magic power! It was the result of someone caring to share their most valuable of possessions – time, energy, and self. It was caring hearts reaching into fractured hearts, bringing wholeness, and healing. What a different world we would have if every day we experienced just a fraction of the magic of this Monday night. It truly was a holy moment! Some called it Monday night. I like calling it Magicday night!
Thank you volunteers! You make magic! You have volunteer magic power! The children are grateful. The Gateway Center is grateful. Hey, friends, come make some magic at the Gateway Center, like these magicians! Come join the magic!