Blog Posts

by Chattrelle Gillyard

Often when we go to the doctor we wait, we wait for our name to be called, we wait to be serviced, we wait for the doctor, we wait for the next steps. We Wait!

Many times our guests here at the OAC wait, they wait outside to be put on the service list, they wait in our lobby for their name to be called, they wait to tell us their story, they wait for their documents to come back, they wait to check their mail, and they wait for their next steps towards stability.

When we go to the doctor we usually wait in a lobby, there’s usually a tv or magazine or something to keep us entertained during our waiting time. Sometimes we talk to others, engage in interesting conversations, meet new people and tell our stories. It may be a story of why we are there, a life story, or simply a story about our day. But the waiting room always seems to be a place to share stories.

The lobby at the OAC is different, there’s no TV, not really a lot of magazines to hold your attention, just others in similar situations who are waiting. Many times, natural conversations happen, guests inform each other on where to get something to eat, where to take a shower, even how to get a place to sleep for the night. Most of the time stories are shared, stories of struggle, stories of triumph, stories of victory, stories of loss, and stories of trauma. The waiting room at the OAC is a place of comfort, care, and conversations. The waiting room is a place of peace, a place to sleep, a place to rest. The waiting room is a place of hope, a place of help, a place to feel at home. The waiting room is a place to freely and safely share your story, while you wait.

by Lesley Brogan

It took me three hours and 20 minutes to walk 10 miles today. And these are some things that I am left with:

I had good shoes and socks when I set off. I had plenty of iced tea to drink and a Cliff bar to eat along the way. I walked along Mission Bay with folks who had driven and parked their cars or walked from their homes close by. We were enjoying a beautiful Southern California day to be outside.

I guess it was about mile five or so that my feet started hurting, and I thought it wasn’t much fun. At mile seven, I was able to stop and get a fresh iced tea and go to the bathroom in a clean and safe place.

When I finished, I was very much aware that because I had an iPhone and could call ahead to someone I loved waiting for me at home, I knew I’d be able to walk into our house and know that my partner, Lori, my partner, had a tall iced tea ready for me. I could walk into our bathroom, get an ice pack or two, and put my feet up. Soon after that, I could take a nice cool shower and put on clean clothes to watch college kids play basketball in a tournament.

It was hard for me to walk 10 miles today. My feet are sore now, and my lower back hurts. I am mindful of all the privileges accompanying me on this walk today. Thanks to the OAC, I am mindful in more real and practical ways of having a glimpse of walking in another person‘s shoes.

by Lisa Gwock

This is the third year that I’ve participated in Central Outreach & Advocacy Center’s “In Their
Shoes” fundraising event. Each year I’ve challenged myself to walk the entire 10 miles in one
day to show my support and in solidarity with those experiencing homelessness that I serve each Monday when I volunteer at Central OAC. Yes, this morning I walked 10 miles but, in no
way, do I feel I am “walking in their shoes.”

For starters, I was walking in some nice, almost new, trail running shoes that are the right size wearing warm merino wool socks. Many of the guests I see are wearing poorly fitted worn out
shoes and often could use new socks. When I finished my walk, I came home and took a shower and put on clean clothes, not something easily done for those who are living on the streets (or as our intake paperwork states, “a place not meant for habitation.”

The past two years, I walked on beautiful spring days unlike today when it was freezing. Fortunately, I was able to put on layers appropriate for the cool weather. All I carried with me was a hydration backpack and my phone. In addition to walking miles each day, persons experiencing homelessness often do not have appropriate clothing for the weather and are
carrying a heavy shopping bag in one hand with everything they own.

When I begin my walk, like many of our guests, it was still dark outside, but I left from inside my
warm house after a good night’s sleep in a bed, not having slept outside in the cold with one
eye open to make sure no one stole my stuff while I was trying to get some rest. I’d also had
my morning coffee and a good breakfast. I’m grateful that thanks to donations, most days we
can offer our guests a sack lunch or, at least snack when they arrive for services. I knew I had
family and friends and a church community that I could call on if I needed help. When asked
what type of support system they have, many of the guests I work with answer, “no one.”

As I walked this morning, I had time to reflect on how much I was not walking in the steps of
those experience homelessness. I also realize how much I take for granted: a warm home,
warm clothes, good shoes, a shower, a support system, and so much more. I feel privileged to
be able to volunteer at Central Outreach & Advocacy and hope each day I’m there, I’m able to
help each guest I work with to get the services they need. Yes, I walked 10-miles but not really
“in their shoes” but I’m grateful that I can still walk 10 miles and thankful for the insights as I
walked.