In This Article
Dear Friends,
Transitions and change.
These are both ever-present, inevitable and unfailing conditions of human existence. God made humans with the ability to change our minds, values, bodies and our conditions. Yet, it is one of the hardest things to face and endure alone. My prayers this summer have been focused on those new moms living in our shelter.
We have four babies under the age of five months. Almost all of them were born during their stay and there are two more to be born in the next five months. I am grateful they are living here during this pivotal time in their life. Newborns bring a type of gentle awe and reverence for the precious gift of life.
September is the birthday month for my son, my youngest, who turns 19. I can still recall with clarity the stress and changes I endured to adjust my life to the presence of his. But my circumstances were different; I had a home, a career and a family of support.
“Back to school” week is another transition that strikes a memory cord for me. Like many moms, I carried the responsibility of coordinating the schedules, school supply shopping, lunch arrangements, after-school care and, of course, the emotional roller coasters of new friends, schools and teachers. This is a lot for anyone. And this is really a lot, if you aren’t stably housed and are uncertain about how to pull all of this off by yourself.
For me, my mom got me through this transition. She did a lot of amazing things for me and my family. She was the one who took the kids so I could have a break. She watched them when they were sick and I needed to be at work, but daycare wouldn’t take them. She hosted us for meals and created core family memories for my kids. She wanted them to know what family meant. This sense of belonging and support is a privilege that not many of our families at shelter get to enjoy. Their stories are different. Their children’s memories of their family story will be marked by their experience at Freedom House. It is our mission to make that experience marked with love, growth and change for good, for all.
Last month, we helped two families transition out of shelter and make room for new families to join us. With this transition, staff complete a series of tasks to get ready for the new family. The room has to be prepared and a family needs to be identified, interviewed and oriented. This is a lot of transition and change for everyone. In order to navigate this well, we use the phrase, “lead with grace and curiosity.” Grace keeps us out of the judgement zone and curiosity creates safety and builds trust. Every human is an expert about one thing: themselves. Being curious allows an individual to open up and share.
Next month, we will be looking for volunteers to support a new initiative of building intentional friendships with our families. We will need people who lead with grace and curiosity. We will need people who can be generous with their time and wisdom. In this initiative, we will be partnering with Safe Families for Children. They have been a huge blessing for families already. We will be sending out an interest survey to you, later this month. Or you can email me directly, if you are interested in being a part of creating a positive mark on a child’s life about their stay at Freedom House.
Blessings to you,
Jennifer Schmohe
Executive Director
Freedom House Ministries
