Appreciation for the Human in All

Last semester I decided to take part in one of the U.N.I.T.E weekends. In U.N.I.T.E. not only do you spend a Saturday morning serving at Beans and Bread meal program, but you also get a chance to meet the remarkable men who live in the Frederick Oznam House (also called FOH). FOH is located adjacent to Beans and Bread in the projects of Baltimore City. The house serves as a half-way house for men who are trying to get a fresh start in life, and who need support to stay clean and out of trouble. FOH houses men from all different backgrounds, poor and rich, black and white, well educated and illterate. But, all of them have two things in common- one, they are homeless; some kicked out by their families, others have been living on the streets of Baltimore for over ten years, and two, they all suffer from the same disease- addiction. When first meeting these men, some were very open and adamant about sharing their stories. While all of their stories differed, all of them involved drugs, alcohol, violence, homlessness, fighting, family problems, and heartache. Many ended their stories by saying when they had gotten over their selfish ways, and realized the pain and suffering they had caused to the people around them, that is when they decided to change their lifestyles. Before entering the Frederick Oznam House, the men need to first be clean and detoxed off of whatever drug it may be. Then once accepted, they begin a journey that lasts for months up to two years full of counciling, rehabilitation, and reflection until they go back into the world, many with stable jobs and continuing support. Some graduates from the Frederick Oznam House even remain there today, working and volunteering, helping others who are going though similar hardships. Just one night of bowling and conversation with these men, made me want to continue volunteering with the Frederick Oznam House. So, two wednesdays out of each month a group of Loyola students and I meet with some of the men who live at the Frederick Oznam House, just to hang out and talk, to remind them that just because they are fighting an addiction, and face hardships that many Loyola students could not even imagine, that they are people too, and sometimes everyone just needs to hang out and enjoy life.

Working with the men of FOH has reminded me of something that the Jesuit education teaches, the importance of the whole person and the promotion of justice. Just this Wednesday I met with other students and the men of FOH for game night. We played various board and card games, and just hung out and had a good time. As I sat there playing (and losing) five consecutive games of checkers with Tom*, I did not act any different with him as if I was playing checkers with a friend or classmate. We laughed and joked as I lost game after game, not being able to remember the rules. While I have heard some people criticize and ask why I continue to take part in activities with "ex-users, bums, or homless men," I realized that they are human too, and all humans should be appreciated for who they are, for being--human. Just as how Walt Witman showed his appreciation of life and living in his poetry, so should others by not succumbing to the social injustices of the world and neglecting those who have harder lives, or face more hardship. Too many people think that those who are living on the streets chose that lifestyle, are lazy, or are "druggies." Not many are quick to try to help those who have problems, neglecting to see that they too are a person and have a worth. Through service-learning, the Jesuit education tries to promote justice and shed light on the areas of need, allowing others to see that those who are worse off are people too.

As I leave game night with the men of FOH, one says to me "See ya next week shorty," I smile and wave "bye" back, not at an ex-drug addict, but at a person who, like myself is also looking foward to next week's movie night. We will be watching one of my favorite movies, "Little Miss Sunshine."