“The fort on Fort Street” I left my notes in Detroit last night. Here is everything I remember. First, our new HQ is wonderful. Traci and I spent the afternoon there sorting, repacking, and re-piling clothes and blankets, etc. We met our first new volunteers already. The volunteer crew from Fort St. Church has been without a community service project for a few years. Three men and a woman came down to the gym to see what Mag’s Miss had going on. They can’t wait to get in there and start sorting! Woo Hoo! Fresh men’s clothing is going to start coming in, pre-packed and sorted, regularly. Traci and I spent a few hours getting ready for last nights outreach. When we were done, we had enough time for some local and authentic Mexican cuisine. We were on top of the world by the time the medical team was ready to roll out.
We haven’t been on the street in over a month. Would anyone remember us?
Our first stop was to see one of our first girls who we hadn’t seen in a couple of years. Traci and I would bring her up and remember how she used to make us laugh. Fortunately, she is still alive and kicking. She’s still with the same abusive boyfriend. She looked emaciated even for a tiny woman. When Traci saw her, she asked, “Hey Girl! Remember me?”
The dear girl broke down and wept on Traci’s shoulders. She hugged Traci tight and told her how much she missed her. That things have been so hard, but she would think about us and knew that someone out there- somewhere- loved her. It was a warm relief to know she was alive and surviving. Tough as anyone may think they are, they couldn’t live even a few hours of her life.
As a matter of fact, that was a topic of discussion at our next stop. We focus on the shelter challenged this time of year. I had 11 tents donated recently and those were a huge deal. As well as sleeping bags, blankets, and winter coats. Those flew out of the van first.
One of the girls I talked to said she had to quit “riding in cars” with men. The clients were too dangerous. My pretty red-haired girl talked about how a gentleman who had been on the streets for years, “The Barber”, was shot and killed the night before. Another friend of hers had died just a couple of day before that, she calmly reported as she sorted through winter clothing.
The first girl confessed that she was “car hopping” now. She was sleeping in whatever abandoned, or unlocked car she could find. It was still dangerous, but not as deadly as sex-work. We helped a lot of people who came from the dark alley at the back of the field. Everyone was beyond grateful.
We cruised around for a couple of more hours. We cleaned out of everything rather quickly. At our last stop, the medical team found a woman who desperately needed their attention. I got to play with her little kitten while Traci served the stragglers who came up to the side of the van for a sandwich, clean socks, hygiene kits, and most importantly- hugs.
Everyone was glad that we still have emergency blankets. I’m out of handwarmers, though.
At the end of the night, we drove back to HQ. We unloaded our empty bins and made the long drive home via 7 Mile.
It feels good to be back. It feels great to relaunch the nonprofit. It is a wonderful blessing to rent this corner of the gymnasium. It is a relief to have all the donation is one spot where Traci and I, or whoever, can actually, realistically sort and organize it all. We have the best opportunity for volunteers to help us. Thank you everyone wo kicked in a little something for this week. I saved all those cookies in my freezer! This is incredible. This is how good things can be. I trust in God. God trusts in me, too.
Because that’s how we do it in Detroit.
Amen. #peaceloveand hygiene #magdalenesmission
