Kids and Garbage by Kaze Gadway

Kids and Garbage by Kaze Gadway

     “Want a cookie?” he asks as he pulls one out of his bag. I thank him and eat it. I have been watching this man with a long scraggly beard pick up garbage off the street. He shows me his finds: two cake mixes, a part for an electric shaver, mustard and ketchup packages and some half eaten burgers and hot dogs. He says he can find good food sometimes where tourists eat.

     I ask him if he has seen kids doing this. He looks at me sharply. “Yeah, I see the kids at some of the dumpsters sometimes. We all have to survive.”

     Later as I drive back toward home I see homeless kids running from a dumpster. My emotions range from rage at the wasted resources of this country to frustration at not being able to do much at getting food to street children to tears at the hopelessness of children who eat garbage to survive.

     Last night it was 32 degrees with heavy winds. I fear for those exposed to elements. I pray for the children. And I continue to raise money to help the few that I can.

 

 

Survival Kits for Congregations by Kaze

Street Survival Kit by Kaze Gadway

     So what can you carry with you to hand out to street kids?

     Some kids are runaways, some have been kidnapped and don’t know how to get back, and some have been dumped. It doesn’t make any difference. If there are children on the street, they need help. Do not give money; they can be killed for it. You can hand out a $5 gift card to a fast food place if they look like they would be allowed to enter (not too dirty).

    If the kids are runaways and under 18, they can’t access food and shelter easily.

     I asked some kids recently what they needed to survive. Many live under bridges, in railroad stations, alleys and river banks. Some things you can’t do like protect them from predators. Here’s what they need. Choose what can be put in their backpack. Put in plastic bag to hand out or put next to where they are. If they start to run, tell them you are putting the bag down and leave. Start my saying “Hey there, my name is…..  I have some (say what is in the bag) Do not ask where they live. If they want or can talk to you, they will. Commenting on the weather is a good started if they want to talk. If they do talk, just listen. Do not give advice or be patronizing. Hand them a paper with directions to teen shelter or where they might get food if they are underage.

1. Food that doesn’t need cooking. Any of these are helpful. Spam that can be opened without can opener. Span is filled with fat and is easily digested by those starving. Tuna, peanut butter, crackers, bread (12 grain), cheese, fruit, juice, milk, etc.
2. Hand sanitizer (small size)
3. Small notebook and pen
4. Toothbrush and paste
5. Skin lotion
6. Comb/brush
7. Sugar and cream packets(they use a lot in their coffee to get instant energy)
8. Deodorant
9. Socks
10. Beanies or gloves

     You can’t do all of this at one time because they need to be able to carry everything with them.

If you can and you see that they need and will accept larger items, they need,

1. Large backpack
2. Sleeping bag
3. Blanket
4. Jacket, sweatshirt, sweater
5. Towel , face cloth, soap
6. Appropriate clothes, shoes

If you suspect sexual abuse, you can call 1-888-373-7888

In New Mexico, they can call 1-505-438-3733 if they want to get free.

“Google” teen shelters, or street children and support those existing agencies in your state that help.

     You can also send store gift cards that sell food and clothes to those people or agencies that do care.

     If this is too complicated for you, carry socks and one item of food in small bags to hand out.

Richard Rohr “Until people have had some level of inner religious experience, there is no point in asking them to follow the ethical ideals of Jesus or to really understand Christian doctrines beyond the level of formula.”

     Lately I listened to two homeless people arguing about their religious beliefs. Their basic premise is that if you really, really believe then you would come to no harm. Their argument was whether or not if a natural disaster happened to you, like a forest fire, was it sent by God to test you on your faith or to punish you.     I found it incomprehensible.

     Having worked with at-risk kids I understand the underlying belief that he or she is always under judgment. I also understand those who live in toxic environments embrace the primary belief that you have to not only prove your right to exist but that there is little chance that change is possible.

     There wasn’t a lot of passion in their argument. It seemed that they were just pushing around “formula” beliefs from one side to the other.
    
     Finally one street woman walks by and says ”Nothing counts but you being kind to people who needs it.”

     I’m not sure why this so spoke to me. Perhaps because I remember when I had only formulas. And then something happened. Somehow compassion happened. I saw a child, shivering, clothed in misery and I changed. Formulas no longer mattered.

     I don’t know where I am going with this. I see myself in the men who argue, in the women who speaks, and in the child in need.