Last night a man showed up at the bus stop wearing only an “institution” jumpsuit. I wish I could show you because you’d be able to feel his pain. Having to sleep in a winter shelter is enough of a hit on one’s self-esteem, but having nothing to wear (even shoes) and looking completely different than everyone hurt! You could see the fear and pain in his face.

David looked at me and asked if there were clothes he could have. He said he would sleep outside if not. I gave him my word we’d find him clothes.

I then went on a mission to find him donated clothes. For over an hour all I heard was talk. Please know in homeless services lots of women clothes are donated so it is hard to find men’s clothes, especially in the popular sizes. The best anyone could do is “maybe” drive downtown and get him something the following day. It seemed to be only a priority to me, and getting this man some clothes would not only help him, but greatly help the program staff in several ways. That all said, since I could only get talk – I went and made it happen.

I never thought I would say this but thank God for Kmart. For $44 I was able to buy shoes, jeans, shirt, sweatshirt, socks and underwear. All brand new! I received my first check with taxes taken out this week, less then I originally planned so any money I spend puts me even more in the hole, but this was crazy important. Words cannot describe the feeling I had of if I was in this situation, with absolutely nothing, would someone help me – I had to help this man.

When I got back to the shelter David went into the bathroom to change. While I was waiting another staff member asked “did you see the guy in the bright blue jumpsuit? I can’t find him”. I explained that I bought clothes and he was changing. The funny part was none of us saw David come out. He changed to his new clothes and went and sat with the rest of our guests watching TV. He no longer looked different, he looked normal!

I wanted to make sure everything fit. When I approached David he was not the same man, you would not believe the change! He was not given clothes, he was given some dignity – and it made a world of difference.

If you are able to help out your local social services or church with some men’s clothes please do. There is ALWAYS an urgent need.

If you are employed or volunteer anywhere that has anything to do with social services please don’t expect someone else to take care of an issue, and PLEASE stop talking about a problem and start taking action to solve it. Yes, I understand everyone is taxed. There is no money and never enough people, but put yourself in the other person’s situation and ask yourself “how would you want to be treated”

Less talk and more action – great words to live by

“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment”

– Ralph Waldo Emerson

Thanks to my friend @LizzHarmon for the quote. Interesting she tweet it today. I’m not much for New Year’s resolutions, but some new friends invited me to a party at Venice Beach today. Part of the deal was everyone had to say a resolution on camera to make a video. Luckily, I missed the camera, but I would have said, “be myself – no matter what”!