My Joseph House Family

Every Monday I teach a class (either "Expressing Feelings" or  "Anger Management") at The Joseph House Workshop ( http://www.thejosephhouse.org/).
I have been with this program since its inception about four years ago.  Homeless men have come and some have gone.  Some are a success and yet others are still out on the streets trying to find their way.

The group of four men that are in my class come from various backgrounds and are addicted to either alcohol, drugs or both.  Some have been in jail many times.  All have been homeless.  Here they are given another chance to change their lives.  Here are three of the men that are in my class right now, Steve, Ricky and Dan.
I am amazed each week at how much I learn from listening to these men.  I love listening.  I give them journals at the start of their journey at Joseph House.  Some weeks they read what they've written....they are proud of their accomplishments.  Today no one wanted to read....but they had written.
I share "Werther's" hard candies with them during our meeting.  It's relaxed.  We talk and express our feelings.  Sometimes it's hard....sometimes we laugh.
Each week I notice the changes in these men....they are growing in love....in peace.....in joy.  They have a long journey ahead of them, but I'm glad to be a part (if only small) in helping them to find their way to a productive, happy life.
I brought them leftover Moist Chocolate Cake today - they grabbed it and brought it to the kitchen.
As I walked out of the building to leave, I was approached by one of the men that was a student a couple of years ago.  He was at my house at Christmas time....was on his way to a normal life....but couldn't follow the rules and was sent back out on the streets.  I see him wobbling down Route 13 every other day, bombed out of this mind, his belly full of alcohol and begging for money.
That's Tim (on the left) during better days at Joseph House, while visiting during a Holiday.

Anyway, he greeted me, hugged me and asked if I would take him to the Library (since it was raining).  Of course, I obliged and off we went.  I asked how he was doing.  He wanted to reminisce about his times at Joseph House.  Then, before we got to the Library he asked if I could give him $4.00 to buy his medicine.  I told him I would see what I had.  When I dropped him off, I checked my wallet and two $1.00 bills, which I gave him.  We all know what medicine he was going to buy with the money, but it was hard for me to say "no" to him.
My heart goes out to him, but he still not ready to commit to help right now.
We can't help everyone, but we have to keep trying.  He knows I'm his friend.  I found out what size clothing he wears and I told him that when I come across his size I would save them for him.

I want to be there for him.  If it were my son out there, I would want someone to care as I do.