St. James serves an average of 1500 families per month. Last month, alone, they had 1800 families receive assistance from them. On the day we were there over 200 people braved the cold to stand in line and fill their shopping carts with food for their family.
In the early 20th century, Bronzeville was known as the “Black Metropolis,” one of the nation’s most significant landmarks of African-American urban history. Between 1910 and 1920, during the peak of the “Great Migration,” the population of the area increased dramatically when thousands of African-Americans fled the oppression of the south and emigrated to Chicago in search of industrial jobs. It was the center of the Chicago Jazz scene, sometimes even referred to as “the Harlem of Chicago.”
Looking back on the last few days it is hard to sum up our trip or even pin point a favorite memory from it. From the first night at the men’s homeless shelter, I quickly learned to throw out any previous notions I had. Some of the men there I would have never guessed were homeless. We were told to be truly present, talk and absorb anything the men wanted to share with us. The first gentleman two of my classmates and I spoke with was very blunt. He questioned out intentions on coming to the shelter, told us they “pass us off as volunteers” and that volunteers are supposed to serve not ask questions. This was hard for me to hear because it made me feel unwelcomed. The man was not trying to be rude, but rather honest. He wanted us to see it from his perspective, which was that it seemed like groups were always coming there and staring at the himself and the others “like zoo animals”. He wanted us to understand that they were people, just like us, even if they had hit a bad streak of luck and for whatever reason were without a home. What he said left us somewhat speechless, however I believe it taught us a lot. No matter how uncomfortable that first conversation was, we didn’t let it stop us from getting something out of the rest of the night. We ended up having some meaningful conversations with some of the other men.
Another thing I will take away from the trip is that attitude is everything. Almost everyone we encountered, regardless of their situation, seemed to have a positive attitude and good outlook on life. I especially noticed it in the ladies working at the Fellowship House and house for women coming off of addictions. They had a love for what they did, which I found to be so important because of how many lives the touch each day. Another student and I were able to benefit from seeing this. We were excited about going to the Fellowship House knowing we would be able to play and hangout with the kids. However when we arrived the two of us were assigned the task of cleaning and organizing one of their storage closets. Exciting right? Not so much. While we could have complained and been miserable doing the job, we decided to just go with it. I found that we were laughing a joking the whole time, i.e. attitude is everything.
I think this service trip was an overall awesome experience because not only were we able to do direct service, but we also gained a greater awareness of the injustices happening in a city and were educated on how we can do our part to help. At the St. Rose Center, a center for developmentally disabled adults, we learned about the importance of using our voice. They told us how they rely on government funding and how if it was to get cut they would no longer be able to offer their wonderful services to the community. They challenged us, since most of us are 18, to be knowledgeable about those who we elect to public office, as it will affect certain programs in our community. I believe we all left Chicago knowing that now it is our turn to take what we learned and apply it to our own communities. Like the motto of the Br. David Darst Center, our home for the last few days, we truly ‘See it differently’.
Today we went to the St. Rose center, it’s a center helping for adults with mental handicaps. When we first got there we took a tour and as soon as we walked in the different rooms the people immediately began to wave and smile. It was so different from the shelter last night, these people were so excited to see us and talk to us. I hung out with Mark mostly, I taught him how to play checkers and then we played bingo. All of the people in the center seemed to enjoy life so much. I took away a different perspective on life. After we were done serving the director talked to us about how government keeps cutting their funding. It upset me because I could see the joy that was on all their faces just from being there. Without this program, they probably wouldn’t do anything all day. I know that would be boring for me and I hope they don’t get cut. She also talked to us about how we should help in the adult developmental programs in our area, hearing that made me think where those centers were near me. Something I’ll definitely have to look into once I get back home. Seeing the joy on their faces just from the simplest things makes me want to find joy in the little things in life as well.
Reflection helps us grow. At the Darst Center, Bonner Scholars like myself got the chance to explore various outlets for community service and ways of integrating social justice into learning. I gave an extra hand at a food pantry, I volunteered at elementary schools, and at other times, I was enlightened on serious issues in this country such as immigration and wealth distribution. I was challenged to think about these issues critically and how they affected me. Spending three nights at the Darst Center was revitalizing and eye opening because I was taken out of the privileged atmosphere that DePauw University is and was thrown into a center that focuses on growth through reflection. I felt a lot more responsible for and cognizant of my actions because I started taking into account who I could be affecting. And although it’s impossible for me to say that I’ve made completely improved, I can at least say that I’ve tried because I’m more aware.
One thing I realized from the my reflections was that although dipping my hand in many bowls doesn’t fix the problems in those bowls, at least I become aware of what I care about.
–Demar
Going to the men’s homeless shelter last night we really weren’t sure what to expect. In the beginning it was definitely uncomfortable and forced us all to step outside of our comfort zones. I think we all learned a lot from the experience. Some of the men there we would have never thought were homeless. It taught us that our perspective on what “homeless” looks like was wrong. The best part was just listening to what the men had to say. One guy, Duke, had a special love for art. He offered to show us some of his work. He had over 30 oil pastel drawings that were beyond amazing. In fact, he had just painted one earlier that day. It made us think about all the talent he had, but that he lacked the resources to support it. The night flew by and we were all sad to leave feeling like we had just started getting to know the men.
During our mission trip, we stayed at the Brother David Darst Center. While there, we experienced the optimism and the Spirit of God in the less fortunate whom we were able to help while working at Uptown Baptist Homeless Shelter and Saint Martin de Porres House of Hope. This trip not only opened our eyes to the injustices of the world and how fortunate we are, but also gave us perspective on the endurance of Christian belief and faith even in the depths of poverty.
While visiting with the men at the Cornerstone homeless shelter, I met a poet from Bangladesh. He read me his poems of his home country in Hindi and described the difficulties he has had in the United States. He left me by saying, “Never ignore what you are passionate about. That is what makes life worth living.” I found it inspirational that a man who once lived in a beautiful country with his family and is now living in poverty was able to be so hopeful. Through my two experiences with the Darst retreat, I have gained a new perspective on the idea of service. Rather than focusing on the service itself, this retreat centers on the personal aspect. The only way to have a fulfilling experience while volunteering is to remember who I am working with. No longer is there an “us” and “them” while I volunteer. I am not serving the poor or homeless; I am helping people, and each person has his or her individual story to tell.
I am learning more and more how valuable a simple story really is…
Last Christmas, I was overwhelmed by the gift of a true story teller as he sat in my parent’s living room and shared a story of the many times Jesus was recognized among us–the hungry child fed, the cold woman clothed, the weeping man comforted. I do believe it was my most treasured gift that Christmas.
Since then, I have had the privilege of receiving the stories of many people served by our partner agencies who share their stories generously so that the truth of life becomes more apparent. It is these stories that I learn from.
In addition to the stories commonly shared, I have been blessed by the sharing of 2 unexpected stories. They follow below:
This story gives witness to the mission of the Darst Center coming full-circle… I hope you are doing wonderfully! I don’t know if you remember me, but I am a student (graduating Saturday) from Saint Xavier University–I attended the Darst Center twice over 2 years for my Spring Break Service Trips with Esther Sanborn. I have a crazy/amazing story for you. Both times while I attended the Darst Center we went to visit the Saint Rose Center and as a result I fell in love with it. In September I contacted Sr. Theresa telling her that I would be graduating in December and that I would be very interested with a position at Saint Rose. To my surprise Sr. Janet called me back about a month ago stating that she would like me to come interview at the Saint Rose Center and on the spot she hired me. I am starting next Tuesday as a Full-Time Developmental Trainer in the “workshop”. I am in LOVE with the Saint Rose Center and I fully attribute my success and the blessings that I have received to my wonderful experience at the Darst Center and talking with the staff while I was there. Thank you so much! And I look forward to visiting the Darst Center again and I would love to be more actively involved with the Darst Center in any way that I can.
This second story reminds us of the Center’s namesake and invites us again to live well the legacy of David Darst… I was a student at DeLaSalle Academy in 1966. Brother David was my religion teacher. At that time, as I recall, Bro. David was a very vocal anti-Vietnam War proponent. Bro. David & I engaged in many heated dialogs…which I must say were encouraged by my classmates (freeing time for them to catch up on their assignments from other teachers). Bro. David and I were on opposite ends of that current issue, which led to many very heated arguments. In recollecting those dialogs, at no time did Bro. David silence me; he only encouraged me to delve into research to reinforcre my convictions. At this time, 61 years old, I can truly say that Brother David was one of the most influential people in my life & I consider myself a disciple of his humanity and peace. May God bless his memory, as it is indelible in me.
The unspoken stories given voice and shared…become most valuable gifts. I am grateful for such gifts as they have breathed life into the mission of this Center.
If any of you have a story to share about your experience at the Darst Center or who David Darst is to you, please, feel free to share it with us here…
