Have you ever driven past a construction site and noticed all the workers in neon orange and yellow staring at the lone person whose actually completing a task? Generally, I think "Well, there are my tax dollars at work...kind of." I've always had a hard time understanding why people watch while others work. I'm more of a doer. I just jump right in.
But today I got caught up. I did not have the flashy yellow vest or the protective hard hat, but I stood, hands on hips and watched as others worked.
Fred and Danny, two of our truck drivers, picked up a shipment of table tops that we needed to get off the truck. It's important to know the history of table tops at the Furniture Bank. Several years ago we received a donation of beautiful table tops...about 200 of them. Notice I say table tops, not tables. The struggle with these beautiful table tops is that we have no bases for them. Over the last six months, various volunteer groups have been building bases for them, yet there are still so many. Needless to say, no one is ecstatic about more table tops around the warehouse.
Back to Fred and Danny - They stacked all the table tops on the truck and gently positioned the pallet jack. As the rain poured, Fred geared up to pull it off the truck several times and aside from some grumbling from the pallet jack nothing happened. Yet we all stood, enthralled by the grumbling of this machine and Fred's earnest effort. The crowd gathered, several volunteers and myself. We stood and watched.
I hope, as it is for me, that standing by while others work, is a rare occasion for you. Instead of seeing a need and gawking and adding our expert commentary, let's jump in and help. Sorry Fred. Next time I'll dig in buddy.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Monday, July 20, 2009
It Makes You Wonder
When Elbert first started coming around the office he would just sit in one of our rolling chairs all day. Occasionally, he would wander back into the warehouse and bring something out that he wanted to borrow.
"Hey David," Elbert would say in his low, scruffy voice. David is the donations coordinator. Elbert would hold up a dirty and half broken shovel, "you think it would be okay for me to borrow this for a while?"
With a curious look on my face, I would wonder what Elbert could possibly need a shovel for. I was pretty certain he spent most of the day sitting in our rolling chair, drinking coffee. I knew he didn't have a home. And yet there sure was something he was invested in working on...cleaning...making presentable.
"Hey, uh, David," David looks up from his desk with a note of recognition. "Can I borrow this saw...hammer...broom...wrench...drill."
What does he need it for?
As I ask myself this questions, I immediately think, what business is it of mine? Maybe I need to suspend my judgment of what Elbert may or may not need and just provide where I can. It's easy to stereotype people that are in situations of need, like Elbert. To assume a level of laziness or think that some addiction must have gotten him in the situation he is in now. And who am I to stand in the way of the karma he is working out? Right?
However, the more I encounter diverse people and life situations, the more I am reminded that assumptions and stereotypes are misleading more often than not. ABC News recently produced a segment called "A New Face of Homelessness," which highlights the reality of homelessness. A reality that does not match up with many of the assumptions or stereotypes I once believed about who is homeless and why they are homeless.
You can watch the video if you select "A New Face of Homelessness" in the links section of this blog.
"Hey David," Elbert would say in his low, scruffy voice. David is the donations coordinator. Elbert would hold up a dirty and half broken shovel, "you think it would be okay for me to borrow this for a while?"
With a curious look on my face, I would wonder what Elbert could possibly need a shovel for. I was pretty certain he spent most of the day sitting in our rolling chair, drinking coffee. I knew he didn't have a home. And yet there sure was something he was invested in working on...cleaning...making presentable.
"Hey, uh, David," David looks up from his desk with a note of recognition. "Can I borrow this saw...hammer...broom...wrench...drill."
What does he need it for?
As I ask myself this questions, I immediately think, what business is it of mine? Maybe I need to suspend my judgment of what Elbert may or may not need and just provide where I can. It's easy to stereotype people that are in situations of need, like Elbert. To assume a level of laziness or think that some addiction must have gotten him in the situation he is in now. And who am I to stand in the way of the karma he is working out? Right?
However, the more I encounter diverse people and life situations, the more I am reminded that assumptions and stereotypes are misleading more often than not. ABC News recently produced a segment called "A New Face of Homelessness," which highlights the reality of homelessness. A reality that does not match up with many of the assumptions or stereotypes I once believed about who is homeless and why they are homeless.
You can watch the video if you select "A New Face of Homelessness" in the links section of this blog.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Office Characters
It was pouring rain and gloomy as I pulled into my parking spot at the Furniture Bank. Instantly I noticed a large, scruffy looking man standing on the dock in front of the entrance to the office. Specifically, I remember the broad, reflecting aviator glasses he wore and wondered why he might need them on such a gloomy day.
Over the next several weeks, Elbert became a staple in the Furniture Bank office. Each day he would linger in, greet everyone, and make a pot of coffee for himself. And I do mean for himself. If we let him he would probably drink several pots.
Elbert is homeless and lives in the woods nearby. We have steadily learned more about his story as he comes in day after day. Though he has no home and can't utilize the Furniture Bank's services at this time, his story reminds us why non-profits, like the Furniture Bank, are important to the Atlanta community of social service agencies.
There are many like Elbert - homeless, lonely, without a support network. Non-profits that serve the homeless community work diligently to provide essential services like housing and food yet the need grows daily. The Furniture Bank helps other non-profits work more effectively and efficiently – without us they would have to spend time and resources getting furniture – and they need all their time and resources to help people like Elbert find housing and sustain housing.
But without furniture, what is a house?
Elbert is a quiet guy with a large presence. During the day you can find him stationed in any number of places in the office - generally with is aviator glasses pulled over his eyes. His presence is a constant reminder of why the Furniture Bank exists.
Over the next several weeks, Elbert became a staple in the Furniture Bank office. Each day he would linger in, greet everyone, and make a pot of coffee for himself. And I do mean for himself. If we let him he would probably drink several pots.
Elbert is homeless and lives in the woods nearby. We have steadily learned more about his story as he comes in day after day. Though he has no home and can't utilize the Furniture Bank's services at this time, his story reminds us why non-profits, like the Furniture Bank, are important to the Atlanta community of social service agencies.
There are many like Elbert - homeless, lonely, without a support network. Non-profits that serve the homeless community work diligently to provide essential services like housing and food yet the need grows daily. The Furniture Bank helps other non-profits work more effectively and efficiently – without us they would have to spend time and resources getting furniture – and they need all their time and resources to help people like Elbert find housing and sustain housing.
But without furniture, what is a house?
Elbert is a quiet guy with a large presence. During the day you can find him stationed in any number of places in the office - generally with is aviator glasses pulled over his eyes. His presence is a constant reminder of why the Furniture Bank exists.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Needs
The other day I was in desperate need of a pair of scissors to cut the tag off a new shirt. Rumbling around the house, tossing things to and fro, mumbling under my breath 'where could they be. I know I had them just yesterday.' It is so frustrating to have a need something and not be able to address it.
Like many non-profits the Furniture Bank of Metro Atlanta is always in need. Like the stack of books you wish you had time to read, the needs can sometimes be overwhelming.
At least once a month, and usually more often than that, one of our box trucks, used to collect and distribute donations, breaks down. After coordinating between tow truck drivers, repair shops and rental trucks places our diligent truck drivers get out of the sweltering heat only to continue traipsing furniture in and out of people's homes. If their job stops then we cannot continue operations at the Furniture Bank. Without the furniture they bring in, we can't serve over forty families a week, who are living in empty houses and sleeping on floors.
This occurrence is a regular one for the Furniture Bank. Like loosing your keys or that pair of scissors when you need them, it can become a nuisance when it occurs regularly.
We see need everyday. From the kinks in our regular operations to the clients that receive furniture as they transition out of homelessness. And I often find myself wondering how I can do more to be a part of addressing the need.
I am certainly no mechanic, I don't own a truck but I do have too much stuff in my house. I have a chair I never use, a t.v. - Lord knows I don't need too many of those, I am young and not too busy, I could volunteer. There are so many needs and so many opportunities. Can you fill a need?
To find out more about how to assist with the needs at the Furniture Bank of Metro Atlanta visit our web site at www.furniturebankatlanta.org.
Like many non-profits the Furniture Bank of Metro Atlanta is always in need. Like the stack of books you wish you had time to read, the needs can sometimes be overwhelming.
At least once a month, and usually more often than that, one of our box trucks, used to collect and distribute donations, breaks down. After coordinating between tow truck drivers, repair shops and rental trucks places our diligent truck drivers get out of the sweltering heat only to continue traipsing furniture in and out of people's homes. If their job stops then we cannot continue operations at the Furniture Bank. Without the furniture they bring in, we can't serve over forty families a week, who are living in empty houses and sleeping on floors.
This occurrence is a regular one for the Furniture Bank. Like loosing your keys or that pair of scissors when you need them, it can become a nuisance when it occurs regularly.
We see need everyday. From the kinks in our regular operations to the clients that receive furniture as they transition out of homelessness. And I often find myself wondering how I can do more to be a part of addressing the need.
I am certainly no mechanic, I don't own a truck but I do have too much stuff in my house. I have a chair I never use, a t.v. - Lord knows I don't need too many of those, I am young and not too busy, I could volunteer. There are so many needs and so many opportunities. Can you fill a need?
To find out more about how to assist with the needs at the Furniture Bank of Metro Atlanta visit our web site at www.furniturebankatlanta.org.
Friday, July 3, 2009
The Basics
The Furniture Bank of Metro Atlanta was started in 1988 to serve individuals and families moving out of homeless shelters and in need of basic household furniture. Today, we provide furniture to individuals and families that are moving out of homeless shelters, living with HIV/AIDS, and fleeing domestic violence situations.
We serve approximately 40 families a week and guarantee a bed and sofa for all of our clients.
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