Every since I was young I always wanted to give back to the community. Without social programs, I probably wouldn't be here, today. When I was around 9 years old, my mom, my sisters and me became homeless. We lived in a city mission for almost a year. I remember it feeling like a hotel and the fanciest place I have ever lived. I remember the choices for cereal and that I was allowed to have more than one bowl. I remember feeling full, and not going to bed hungry for the first time in a long time. I remember only having one garbage bag of clothes when we got there, for all 5 of us. We got all "new" clothes at the second hand clothes closet. It never felt like the stigma of not having a home, thanks to the people working there and my mother, it always felt like an adventure.
During election season, I always get so disheartened by people claiming that everyone on welfare is a bunch of blood suckers on the system. There are some people who abuse the system, and then there are others who couldn't imagine that they would ever be in that situation, and are really motivated people that fell on hard times. I always found myself cursing those politicians out, but never did anything about it.
This year, I am putting my life into action. I used to always say I want to do this or I want to do that. Now, I am getting my butt in gear and doing what I always wanted to do. I am volunteering at the city mission with my niece, and it feels so good to do for others what has been done for me. I have no idea what took me so long to do it, but I am glad I am no longer making excuses and trying to be the good I saw in others when I was young. I am even happier that my niece wants to join me! I know it will be hard to see others in that situation without the naivety of childhood, but it's well past time I paid my good fortune back.