Volunteering with the Homeless: A Personal Reflection

During the summer of ninth grade, I participated in a program called Impact Boston. For about two weeks I lived on campus at Brandeis University and worked with a local non-profit organization called the New England Center for Homeless Veterans, which specializes in the rehabilitation of homeless veterans. While there I helped around the shelter with various tasks, but I was also able to meet many veterans and hear their stories. From those two weeks in Boston, I learned that there is no stereotypical homeless person; everyone's story is unique and it is unjust to judge someone solely by what you see on the outside.

Recently, the eleventh grade took a field trip to different service sites across Baltimore. I went with Rabbi Moss to an organization called The Baltimore Station. When we first arrived, one of the people in charge gave us a brief introduction, explaining the mission of the organization, his role there and what our group would be doing. For about the first half an hour, we sorted through clothing, organizing them into different piles. Even though the task may have been mundane, our group did not mind; we wanted to contribute in any way we could.

After the aforementioned task was completed, the group went downstairs into the cafeteria, where we listened to veterans share their personal stories. Interestingly, none of their stories were even remotely alike; the only common factor linking them was The Baltimore Station (and that everyone there had served in the United States military). From my brief experience there, I learned what a difference The Baltimore Station makes in the lives of many veterans—it serves not only as their home, but also as a rehabilitation center. Hopefully in the near future I will be able to volunteer there again.