A Mother’s Hope
The only thing Lisa* wanted to be when she was growing up was a mother. As a young adult she became a mom to a son, Adam, then to a daughter, Anna*. Lisa loved being a mom to her children as they grew and became teenagers. Some traffic violations and 36 hours of court-ordered community service led Lisa to Dallas Christian Ministry.
She was always willing to do whatever we asked her to help us with, but she oozed sadness and seemed lost and forlorn. As we worked together, we learned that Adam had taken his own life when he was 17 and that Anna had been killed in a traffic accident a couple of years later. The joy of being a mom to her children was gone and so was Lisa’s will to live without her children. She completed her community service hours and disappeared for a few months, but she found her way back to us last fall after she lost her home.
Today, Lisa is one of the 28 people who are currently enrolled in the Hope for the Homeless program at Dallas Christian Ministry. Each Wednesday, she shows up to check in with us, eat a hot meal, get a food box and any other items she might need (like shower wipes, bug spray, clean socks, etc.) As a volunteer, I get to see and talk to her several times each month. More than once, she has told me that we are the reason she continues living. “I know you would worry about me if I didn’t show up each week to get my food box,” she has shared. “This hot meal and seeing my friends at Dallas Christian Ministry are the highlight of my week and keep me going.”
In addition to a weekly hot meal, food boxes, and other necessities, we have encouraged Lisa to be in contact with other organizations that might be able to help her with mental health issues, temporary shelter to long-term housing, and more. For the time being Lisa is still coming to Dallas Christian Ministry weekly and because of your generosity we are able to meet her where she is.
Churches, businesses, and families that provide hot lunches on Wednesdays for our unhoused neighbors are truly a blessing. Likewise, your prayers, financial gifts, and donations of goods and services help us take care of Lisa and others in need.
*Names have been changed to protect the identity of our clients