Elizabeth's Story
I have been working to help homeless individuals in the United States, where I live, for more than ten years now. It’s very rewarding work, and I loved it from the start. It really is just the matter of getting that “first kick”, because once you have a taste of the optimism that comes into your life as a result of helping others, you will always be eager to do it. In my approach, I simply go around my neighborhood—I generally do not have a specific, set location—and look for people in need. I try to chat with them and build some sort of connection. I try to fill their hearts with words of love and hope, and then I pass them some food and clothing.
I got involved in this work when I started volunteering at a mental health clinic. We had patients there who were homeless, without any friends or family, and they would spend their entire day at the center. One woman in particular touched my heart, several times, and my experiences with her changed the way I looked at homeless people. Because she had severe mental illness, she was allowed to come into the clinic early in the morning. She had no front teeth and she was very self-conscious about it, but she felt comfortable around those of us who worked in the clinic. She would even help us when we decorated our office during the holidays. Once, in conversation, I mentioned a particular candy that I liked, and later she surprised me by getting a package of it for me. It seems like such an insignificant thing, a tiny gesture—until you remember that she had bought it for me with the pennies and nickels she had saved. It was an act of sincere gratitude and kindness which touched me deeply, and I will remember it forever.
For more about Elizabeth, follow her on Facebook.
Artist Notes
“This image features a woman giving food bowls to two seated figures. The thought that occurred to me while creating this was: “you don’t have to actually wait for the spring to come, you can become the spring in someone’s life.” The red blooms in the violet background are abstract poppy flowers, which symbolize the happiness that can develop in a person’s life when you show them that you actually care.”
Published Jan 1, 2020
Updated Oct 25, 2022
Published in Issue IV: Activism