Overflow

On a Tuesday night after ten in the homeless shelter, there is a small chorus of snorers who have their bedrolls laid out among the dining tables and the lounge furniture. This shelter is actually an overflow shelter, when the main one is full, and is located inside a church. One young man, who kindly helped me locate an outlet for my three-pronged cord, is wide-awake, but taking care not to bother anyone.

There is a lot of kindness and camaraderie among the clients. One man unrolled the bedding for another man who had fallen fast asleep on the carpeted floor. He put a pillow under the sleeping man's head. I spent the early hours of my shift heating up leftover food for those people who had missed dinner time.Then I and the other volunteer, a young grad student, put Girl Scout cookies out--three plates that quickly disappeared. Movies were played in the lounge area until 10 PM and then it was lights out. A few men go outside to smoke before coming back in.The women are asleep on the floor upstairs in the quieter rooms, which are used as a nursery and children's playrooms during the day. At midnight, a friend, Jo, comes in an hour early to chat with me before her 1-7AM shift begins. She and the other late-shift volunteer will begin making coffee around 4AM.

What is astonishing is the number of volunteers required to attend only this overflow facility, which is open during the colder months (November-April). The dedication of these volunteers is truly humbling. The only paid staff member, the director of the main shelter, is clearly dedicated as well and works many, many hours beyond what she is paid.

At one point, I walk into the sanctuary of the church and walk up the aisle toward a beautiful stained glass window. This church, has, like many churches, lost a lot of its congregation and is struggling to survive.They planned to sell a Tiffany stained glass window, but local and national news got a hold of the story and donations flooded in. These donations have held off the sale, for now, but not necessarily for the long-term future.

Boston Globe article about Tiffany stained glass window