 |
| Christelle with hygiene bags for clients |
Before embarking
on one of the most memorable journeys of my life as a Mercy Volunteer, I began
to ponder how I wanted to impact the community I was going to serve. In my mind
I saw the bigger picture of my service. I thought about all the change and all
the wonderful things that I would accomplish with my fellow volunteers. Even
though I thought about the grand vision I had for my time, I did not know what
to expect. The only thought I had for certain was that I loved working with
people and that I wanted to help individuals in whatever capacity I could. Francis House Center has given me that
opportunity! Working with individuals from my co-workers to the clients that I
serve, it has been a memorable experience thus far. Being here and being present in this moment
without any inhibitions or distractions, I have had the privilege to be witness
to what humanity, compassion and love really means. There are many moments I
wish I could share, but I will share one that is as much present in my mind as
it is in my heart.
Before the start
of the new school year, we collected over 200 backpacks for children from pre-k
up to 12th grade. We prepared
the backpacks so that every child would be able to receive school supplies such
as: pencils, calculators, protractors, notebooks, binders, tissues, hand
sanitizer and so much more. I called
many families and told them that Francis House would love to bless them with a
backpack and that all they would have to do was provide verification and come
in to pick them up at the office.
On the pickup day one woman caught my
attention. She was very quiet and looked
nervous when she walked in. I greeted
her at the door and welcomed her into the office. I asked her what registering number she had and
asked for her verification. As I was
preparing her paperwork she broke down and started to cry. She said, “You have no idea how much this
means to me! I had no idea how I was going to get my children supplies and
backpacks for school. All of the kids at
school were teasing them because they did not have any supplies like they did.”
I comforted the woman and told her that
Francis House is always willing to help as best as possible. I gave her a
tissue to wipe away her tears and went into storage to get the backpacks. When I came out I handed her the bags, she
grabbed them, gave me the biggest hug and said “this is a moment that I will
never forget, thank you!”
 |
| Christelle out front of Francis House |
I have only been at FHC for three months and I
have gained so much experience and insight by working with people here on a daily
basis. I have learned that a simple hello shows the embrace of hospitality,
that treating everyone with justice gives them dignity, that a comforting word
means being merciful and that a hug and the thought of children being able to
have the tools for education means a service fulfilled.
Each person comes in with a different life
story that changes my thoughts and perceptions about life. Every day I come into work with a different
mindset because no individual that I serve is the same. Most times we come into work thinking that we
will be helping clients that day, when in reality the clients are the ones that
help us; and that is what The Francis House Center is all about!
Christelle Patrice - Francis House - Sacramento, CA
