Homeless Does Not Mean Hopeless
You look around on almost every corner, park, and in front of stores and see those downtrodden on their luck. Most of us ignore them completely, but what if we actually took the time to speak with the homeless? Two local brothers are doing just that and have started a movement here in Sacramento that is beyond uplifting, and is life changing to those folks living on our local streets.
Christopher (Chris) and Zach Orson were having friends over during a football playoff game in the beginning of January. After the game, they started to put away all the leftover food but then had an idea to perform a RAK (random act of kindness) to a group of homeless folks who had set up a camp close by their home. They both were very excited to do this and quickly bagged up the food and drinks and went to deliver the goods. No one was at the camp but they left a note with all the food which read, "We love you."
They went back to check on the folks and ran into two homeless gentlemen, and Chris immediately tagged the phrase "friends" when referring to the men. They asked the homeless men if they had an immediate need for anything and Christopher asked them to write down on a notebook what they needed along with their names. At that moment, the foundation had been set for future encounters. They also videotaped the requests and let their new friends know that they were loved.
Chris and Zach started a Facebook page called REcoverME and started posting their videos of the requests and needs of their friends. Before long, people were stepping up and providing the things requested. Once they had filled the desired request, they hit the street to do the delivery. Returning to their friends last location, the brothers videotaped the drop off of the items, and to see the smiles on the homeless folks faces brought tears to most peoples’ eyes!
REcoverME believes in "restoring dignity and facilitating change", and it is definitely what they are doing—one person at a time. The group has only been together for two months and has close to 500 members, still growing every day. They are represented in English and Spanish, and the members come from all walks of life—from former homeless folks, to business professionals and even just ordinary people who care and believe we are all human.
The group has fulfilled countless requests from simple hygiene products and clothing to sleeping bags, guitars, and even jobs. All of these requests have been made possible from the kindness of members of the community and group. The group members now go out in their respective neighborhoods and show their friends love and perhaps help with filling a request.
It was important to Chris to actually talk with the homeless and find out what they needed instead of assuming and guessing. He said he has been blown away by what they ask for. "It's not drugs or money like most people would think. They have an honest need for everyday things we take for granted." You can see the passion in his eyes when he speaks about this group, the members, and most importantly the "friends".
Zach and Chris would love to see this group "spread like wildfire" and are working on turning this into a non-profit organization. Their ever evolving timeline includes seeing this in every city everywhere! They encourage and challenge each of you reading this to not turn the other way but to instead "love a friend" next time you are out. It not only changes their life, it will also definitely change yours.
REcoverMEgroup.com
I noticed that my boyfriend would always wave to everyone while we were driving around. No matter who it was, he'd flash a smile, and wave happily, even if they gave him weird looks and didn't wave back. One day I asked him why he waved to strangers like that, and he said, "I heard about some people who had tried but failed to commit suicide. Many of them said that if a stranger had just acknowledged them with a smile or a wave, they wouldn't have tried to end their lives. I want to save a life today."
Save a life. Look up. Smile.
At that moment, the foundation had been set for future encounters. They also videotaped the requests and let their new friends know that they were loved.
Chris and Zach started a Facebook page called REcoverME and started posting their videos of the requests and needs of their friends. Before long, people were stepping up and providing the things requested. Once they had filled the desired request, they hit the street to do the delivery. Returning to their friends last location, the brothers videotaped the drop off of the items, and
to see the smiles on the homeless folks faces brought tears to most peoples’ eyes!
REcoverME believes in "restoring dignity and facilitating change", and it is definitely what they are doing—one person at a time. The group has only been together for two months and has close to 500 members, still growing every day. They are represented in English and Spanish, and the members come from all walks of life—from former homeless folks, to business professionals and even just ordinary people who care and believe we are all human.
The group has fulfilled countless requests from simple hygiene products and clothing to sleeping bags, guitars, and even jobs. All of these requests have been made possible from the kindness of members of the community and group. The group members now go out in
ELEVA8UP {April 2015}
37
Cover
Eleva8UP |