"Do you still have food vouchers"?, she asked. The lady in the office said they ran out today. She then asked if there were bus tokens. The lady replied that they also ran out and that they give out vouchers on different days. She stepped out and the cold and stood on the side of the door. She stood there for 15 minutes almost as if she's thinking for her next move. I felt her spirit. In my mind, I can only imagine what she needed those items for. Food for her kids? A way to get to a potential job? I wanted to help her. I wish I could have. I should have.
The community center is in the heart of Santa Ana. When I pulled over this morning, I can't help but notice people eying me because of my car. If they only also knew my story..I'm not too far off from some of the people they provide service to. I looked around the office and I saw pictures of what looked liked a burned home. This community center was burned down in 2001 and had to be rebuilt.
After my presentation, I wanted to take a picture with the 4 ladies in front of the new home. I then asked, "Can you please tell me about Anne Mae Trip?"....this is what I learned:
Many years ago, Ms. Anne Mae Trip started feeding the homeless from her own home just two blocks away from where the community center is. Ms. Trip didn't care what people thought of her. Word got around and the neighbor donated her home to her (The home that has now been transformed into a community center). 50 years later, the organization remains to aid those of poverty level.
What an enriching day....today, I feel even more blessed :) I got flowers from a friend in Chicago :)
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