On November 15, 2014, as part of our Empathy Project, the Strive team made their first visit to the YWCA Family Center in Columbus. YWCA’s family center provides emergency shelter and critical services to stabilize homeless families in central Ohio.

During this visit to the shelter, we provided the families residing there with snacks and talked to them about anything and everything. Below are some pictures along with quotes and stories from the residents. The stories they shared were some of the most inspiring stories we have heard. An eye-opening and wonderful experience for each one of us, we all learned so much.

Keep on the lookout for more posts on future visits to the shelter! We have many more projects in the works.

Memorable Quotes

“Do it while you can”

“If you have a job, go to work. If you have a house, pay your rent. If you have something you love, they cannot take it away from you”

“We are not bad people. People that are at this shelter are not bad. sometimes life happens, and you struggle, but we’re just like everybody else.”

“My children don’t understand the situation that we’re currently in. At least they don’t have to suffer the same way that I do. I worry about their next meals everyday that it keeps me up a lot of nights”

“At this YWCA, you have 26 days to put your life back together. even if you have friends and family helping you, it’s difficult to pick yourself up. 7 members of my family died within 6 months. I can’t work due to a broken leg, and I just got evicted, which is why I’m here… I wish it was only me instead of my little girl here as well. It makes it so much harder”

“What’s your favorite subject in school?” “I want to be a scientist”

Fascinating Stories

The woman that I spent some time with told me her story. It was kind of chilling to hear her talk about it because it was so devastating, yet she was such a cheery happy person. Her six year old daughter ran from side to side, and I could tell that she was a good mother by the way she playfully attended to her child, while still talking to me. She originally worked in construction, while taking care of her child as a single parent. However, she broke her ankle at work, and was unable to pay for it. This caused problems with paying rent on time, which led to her eventual eviction. She tried to stay with her friends and family, but 7 of her family members died in a car accident, and had no on to turn to. She ended up here, at the YWCA family center. I tried to take it all in and imagine what she was going through, but it was impossible. It’s hard enough as it is by herself, let alone taking care of her 6 year old child. She also had epilepsy that prevents her from doing too much cerebral work. She had been through a tremendous struggle, and was smiling on the other side of it. She believes that she will get her life back together, and that she will persevere. I hope so.

A father figure.. a role-model.. a homeless man. Why should the last part determine this mans fate in how society views him. A criminal some may say, up to no good the police did say. When in reality he is just doing everything he possibly can to provide for his kids. Did he break any laws? No. Then why do we as a society look down upon this homeless man? It must be because he doesn’t have a home. His smile and positivity despite not having the most basic thing we as humans need, a home, amazes me. His fatherly love towards his kids allows him to strive forward in life even with his hands tied behind his back. As a society in general, we could learn a lot from this man. His drive to get back on his feet no matter how many times life pushes him down is simply amazing.