Central OAC

by Chattrelle Gillyard

It’s been said that if you have to brag about the materialistic things in your life, then there probably isn’t much more to you. In today’s society, social media and advertisements have told us that if we don’t have the latest car, newest clothes, or biggest house then we aren’t “making it in life”. “Making It” can be used as a measurement of success for many. I often find myself searching for how much something costs that I just saw on Instagram or what I would need to do to obtain a better looking car, just so I can fit in with what social media and society portray as “Making It”. It’s hard not to fall into the rabbit hole of wanting new and better things.

I’m quickly brought back to reality, though, when I prepare for a day at the OAC. The guests we serve have a much different definition of “Making It.” For many, it’s as simple as being able to have a meal to eat, a warm place to sleep, or even owning more than 1 pair of shoes. We see guests on a weekly basis who either do not own a pair of shoes, are wearing shoes that are too small or too big, or wearing shoes that are barely holding together. Some have no place to keep their things and root through big garbage bags to find their documents. Others ask for extra snacks because they don’t know how they’ll get their next meal. “Making It” looks so much different for our guests, and it humbles me each time.

It reminds me that life is too short to get caught up in the materialistic things. Nobody is going to speak at my funeral about all of the nice things I had. My car, clothes, or house won’t be the topic of conversation. The small things that make up who I am, such as my compassion, kindness, and ability to make others laugh, are much more important in the long run. “Making It” should be defined as being happy with who you are, being a kinder person, being more selfless, being more compassionate, and living in your truth. “Making It” should actually be measured by what success looks like to you personally, not others.

Whether it’s owning a new car or owning a used car, YOU MADE IT. Whether it’s having several higher education degrees or not going to college so you can support your family, YOU MADE IT. Whether it’s renting an apartment or owning a home, YOU MADE IT. Whether you own 1 pair of shoes or 100 pairs of shoes, YOU MADE IT. If you are able to be in good health, have a stable support system, and have food to eat, Congratulations, YOU MADE IT!

by Clinton Mayo, OAC intern

When I began my social work internship at the OAC in August of 2020, I was enthusiastic about helping other people yet apprehensive because of the challenges of COVID-19. Talk of 2020 and the effects of COVID-19 are everywhere right now, and the over-saturation can be nauseating. Most people want to find some sense of normalcy in a changing world. As a senior at Georgia
State University, I wonder how effective my training during a pandemic will be in teaching me how to best serve others. However, at the OAC, I feel as though I’m in the right place and feel appreciated by the OAC staff and the people we serve. I try to keep this in mind as I go through my day. The hardship experienced by our guests can be daunting. I sometimes wonder if I can properly meet their needs while adapting to the chaos of our world. It’s easy to get flustered, but thankfully, I have a choice about how to respond to all of this chaos. The intentional choice to focus on the positive possibilities can be a helpful motivator, for me and for us all. No one can deny the existence of yesterday, but we can choose how we proceed. A small amount of resiliency can come naturally for most people, and life finds a way even in the most adverse conditions.

Each morning before I enter the OAC, I take a moment for mindfulness. Mindfulness means becoming self-aware of our body, thoughts, situation, and environment – staying present in the current moment. Mindfulness improves resiliency by enabling us to live for every moment and becoming less overwhelmed by past circumstances and future stresses, from the mundane repetition of getting out of bed to the complexity of deciding on what to make for quick weeknight dinners. Take a moment for yourself just to be _____. You fill in the blank with whatever you find yourself needing. A mindful moment doesn’t need to take long or be life-changing. It serves to provide a connection to who you are, giving you a clear head, calm mind, and relaxed body. Take some time to research different methods of mindfulness this week and figure out how to incorporate it into your schedule. We all need a little more mindfulness right now, and with the tranquility it yields, we can all work toward making the world a better place.

by Kimberly Parker

What a year 2020 has been!

I know that many people have said or written these same words. I’m sure none of us ever thought that in January of 2020, we would be facing a pandemic that would shut the world down and change the ways in which we work, socialize, and live life. Even in March when all of this hit, I never thought that in December, things would still be as bad as they are. 

Life has changed, and I don’t know that it will ever go back to what it once was or what we perceived it to be. I also don’t know if that’s all bad. Hopefully, there are some good things or positive changes that we can hold on to rather than falling back into a rut of going through the motions of life without truly appreciating what life can bring. 

Life in the midst of a pandemic is hard on everyone, but it’s harder for some than others. I am extremely grateful that I have not missed a paycheck, gone without eating, or lost everything that I owned. I know many who can’t say the same thing. I don’t want to take my privilege or the things I have for granted because I, too, could be one of those who loses everything.

The people we serve on a daily basis have been hit hard by the pandemic. Their day to day routines have changed. Many organizations have closed. Others have modified how they operate. Shelters take fewer people. Our guests have had to change the ways they survive. Soup kitchens and clothing closets are not operating as usual. 

The OAC has also changed the way it operates. We are currently only open three days per week. We limit how many people are in the lobby at one time. We only have our staff and two interns working with us and no volunteers. We only allow people to check and pick up their mail at our doorway, where we keep the door wide open for air to circulate. There are no longer 60-75 people in our lobby at one time nor people coming and going as they please. 

When everything changed for us earlier in the year, I felt strongly about being able to offer snack and hygiene items to everyone who came to our door. This was different for us. In the past, we only had snacks and hygiene items available for those we saw for actual services with a case manager. And there were times when we didn’t have anything to offer our guests. For the last several months, we have been able to offer snack and hygiene items to everyone who comes to our door, and the number isn’t small. We have had approximately 5,381 visits to our door for guests to either check or pick up their mail which means that a snack and hygiene bag was offered at least 5,381 times since April 2020. 

Central OAC has not spent a dime purchasing these items. We have been able to do this because approximately 100 individuals have donated the items we need. In addition to the individual in-kind giving, we have also received donations from 18 different groups (churches, government, non-profits), who shared with us when they had an abundance of their own.

When I look at these numbers, I am blown away by the generosity of others! At times we have asked and it has been provided. At other times, we didn’t even ask and the items were provided. 

Thank you to everyone who has helped our guests keep moving forward! We’re grateful for you each year, but especially in 2020. Happy Holidays!