The Holiday Season can mean a lot of things to people. It can mean celebrations, festivities, gifts, and joy. For others, it can bring feelings of stress, struggle, and heartbreak. We sat down with five of our guests and asked them, “What Do The Holidays Mean To You?”
“I was homeless near the Great Southern Shopping Center for two months and am now staying at Faith Mission. I have been coming to The Open Shelter and helping Solomon (Dean, Deputy Director of Day Services) out, and he has helped me out a lot as well. I was born and raised in Columbus. Emily from Heer To Serve has also been helpful to me. I get disability, but that doesn’t stretch much. While I was homeless, someone tried to steal my generator.”
“Christmas means a lot of memories for me. My grandmother loved Christmas. It was her favorite thing for her and her grandkids. She used to live in a trailer park, and she also worked at Schottensteins. She was an amazing lady. There was a fire truck that used to come through the trailer park, and the firefighters would pass out boxed candies. They don’t do that anymore. Christmas brings back many memories and feelings of happiness. Being around your family, that’s what it’s all about.” – Tommy
“I came to The Open Shelter because no one would help me. I am a victim of human & sex trafficking. I was sleeping on the streets. Someone told me about The Open Shelter. I came here with no clothes and nowhere to go. I was full of tears and no joy, not knowing where the next day or next meal was.”
”They have helped me with clothing, bus passes, and showers. Solomon went out of his way to help me. He talked to my case manager and did everything to get me off the streets.”
“The Holidays mean a lot when you have family. For me, it’s kind of hard. My kids are in Chicago. I have depression, mental illness, and schizophrenia. The Holidays are very hard for me, being alone and not with my family.”- Sheshonee
“I have been coming to The Open Shelter for about 20 years. I had just gotten out of jail for forgery back then, since I was desperate for money. I needed a job, and found the Shoulder To Shoulder program. Right now, I have no place because they sold the property where I was staying. I’m trying to rebound. I have been in and out of the engagement center and warming stations. I am trying to find another steady job. I have lived in Columbus all of my life. My family is here, but I don’t want to bother them.”
“The Holidays mean the world. I go to church on Sundays. The Holidays are love for me. It’s motivation. It’s an inspiration. Everyone doesn’t take it the same way as I do.”- James
“I was born here in Columbus, and I ran away with my sister when I was 12 years old. My dad molested her. 17 years ago, I met my fiancé, who got me addicted to drugs. Tar heroin is what we started on because we couldn’t afford pain pills. Seven years ago, we started doing fentanyl, and I am still struggling with it. I have been fighting with drug addiction for 17 years. I was homeless for 9 years. I was in a fire and beaten. The Open Shelter has helped me with clothes and food.”
“Christmas is amazing. It’s not the money or the gifts. It’s Jesus Christ’s birthday.”- April
“I am originally from Mississippi, and my family moved up here for jobs. My ex-husband just passed, and I use The Open Shelter as a place to come to meet people. They have meals here if you don’t have the means to cook. They provide a good, hot lunch. The Open Shelter has also helped me with food and clothing. Solomon helps you with what you need & provides for you.”
“If you are homeless, you can come here and take a shower, get a hot meal, and find clothing to wear. They give out blankets, and they help people get warm.”
“The Holidays are a time of celebration, to get together with family and friends. My brother and I are the only two left out of 9 kids. He is in California, and it is hard for him to get here. He is slightly disabled. He will come to visit in the summertime.”- Alice
Thank you for your support, and we wish you and yours a Joyful Holiday Season.