rescue mission in roanoke, va
For a long time my mom has wanted to visit the the Rescue Mission in downtown Roanoke, Virginia. She’s often mentioned the wonderful things she’d read in her local paper of how the homeless and the hungry are helped day after day. So off we go to join in on their Monday noon tour. I’m thinking…a quickie tour, you’ve seen one homeless shelter you’ve seen them all kinda tour…well…not so much.
For most of my life, hearing the words homeless people would bring to mind drug addicts, criminals and just plain lazy people who chose not to work. As a child, I grew up with them on the Roanoke City Market when I went with my dad to sell produce from our farm. I stepped over them during the 80’s when I visited New York City. But fast forward and today we have families who have lost their jobs and their homes, women and children who escaped from abusive relationships, the elderly who have run out of money, and the chemically dependent without the means to receive assistance.
We started the tour by passing through the dining room. Standing in the line to be served lunch could have easily been me or my parents, the majority not fitting the stereotype that we often conjure up in our minds. For the next two hours we saw first hand the programs to help people physically, psychologically, socially and spiritually and the facilities – a state of the art medical clinic, a residential recovery program, an adult learning center, a pottery studio, a hair salon, a thrift store…
But there was one small thing that really touched my heart. Every bed at the mission had a handmade quilt. A touch of home. The symbolism for family, security and warmth. A touch from the people who made them, a touch from the ones who wash them, a touch from the ones who make the beds…everyone having a part in creating that sense of security and warmth of that someone who curls up and sleeps each night under that handmade quilt.
Thanks mom for the push to see the Rescue Mission. We have all been touched by something very special.
I was also touched when finished reading., 🙂
Thank you so much Djawa! It was such an inspirational experience!
Brings to my mind the Beatitudes from my, Catholic, religion, and maybe others, that says “what you do for the least of my people, that, you do unto me”. Words I try to live by. Thanks for sharing. GH
I’m sure!!! xoxo your frissy
This is so beautiful! Can you imagine if everyone who earn 5 million and up could build a rescue mission will be a better world!
Oh WOW. That would be amazing! Wonderful thought Nikki! xoxo
Great post! Thanks for sharing. You are my inspiration for consistent blogging! 🙂
Thanks Amy! Hope to see you soon at PWP! I want to hear all about the wedding!
Yet another bridge, Robin! I’m suddenly flooded with all the memories of going with my preacher dad to the Lansing City Rescue, once a month, during my high school years. Mom and I often sang duets while she played music on her accordian (her portable piano!). Back then it was pretty scary to me because it WAS mostly men who were addicts. In that day/place, they weren’t allowed to eat until they had attended the service. Not sure how I feel about that now…but that’s another story entirely!
I love how you wrote this…and the image of it you shared. It touches me deeply.
Oh thank you Ginnie! Like Marcie, I think we all have a sisterhood that goes very very deep! Big hugs across the pond!
Oh..this is beautiful!! Love how someone spent time and effort and love into creating quilts for those who wouldn’t otherwise have. Wonderful post!
Thanks so much Marcie!
What a beautiful story! I’m glad you could experience this and share it with the rest of us.
To share this with mom and dad was even a better treat! Thank you for following and commenting. You are a very dear friend.