Eyes Wide Open
In an effort to determine the level of resources necessary to assist those experiencing homelessness, the City of Boston organized the Annual Homeless Census 30 years ago. The census takes place on the second Monday of December... typically, a cold and blustery night. I have been volunteering for several years, the last two as a team lead, and it is an enlightening experience each and every time. The fact that it takes place right before the holidays makes me grateful for my good fortune, and serves as a sobering reminder of the need in our community.
The first time I volunteered, and every year since, I have walked the Kenmore Sq. stretch from Mass. Ave to the BU Bridge, and from Brookline Ave to Charles Gate, known by census volunteers as “Area 24.” I had specifically requested the neighborhood that had been my college haunt in the 90s, because I knew the area well… or so I thought. I soon realized that, although I was no stranger to the neighborhood, I had never seen Kenmore Square as a homeless outreach volunteer. The experience changed my view forever.
I was paired up with Leo Adorno, an experienced homeless outreach worker from Pine Street Inn, who took me under bridges and into alleys and showed me how 219 men and women (as per 2008 census data) in Boston live. We spoke to several homeless men that night and I learned from them that the smallest twist of fate could leave any one of us on the streets. For almost 10 years, I made my home in Kenmore Sq. and never noticed some of the places Leo showed me. Kenmore will never look the same to me, and the people who call its streets home will not go unnoticed again.
We race to and fro every day, zipping by, looking down, with Ipods and Blackberries, with the latest book on Oprah’s list and in the rush we miss out on a lot. Right now, there are thousands of homeless families and individuals living in shelters, motels, on the streets or in other unsafe or unsuitable situations. Some housing and homelessness experts fear that the worse is yet to come and we can’t ignore it. I encourage you to slow down, look around, and volunteer.
My census mentor is featured in this NECN segment:
This morning I walked to the
This morning I walked to the bus stop in my heavy down coat and my knit scarf and hat and STILL, still felt like the cold had punched me in the stomach. It has become impossible, since first volunteering as part of the homeless census several years ago to experience the cold without thinking of the people who are braving it each night without a permanent home.
I think it's easy to imagine homelessness. To think about the fear it would bring or the basic survial instincts you'd need to have. But there is something about walking the streets at night as part of the homelessness census that makes it resonate, and stick with you.
Great post, Paola.
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