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An interesting week, reaching out to help those in need.
11 years ago
As the "con high" from FC starts to fade away, and I immerse myself back into reality so to speak, some interesting things happened since the last day of fc and the other day.
It all started on the last night of FC. I had not eaten anything all day and the only thing other than water I had consumed was a frapucino thing from the in hotel starbucks. I decided to go out and try to grab something from subway across the street. I was very low on money so this was most likely going to be my last major meal until getting back home the following day.
As I was walking down the street, there were quite a few other fur's around, all mingling about, fursuits, people, etc, and I definitely blended in with my random fur stuff. I wasn't in suit but I had my tail, and other little accessories. As I walked down the street, I noticed a young woman approaching me, she seemed somewhere around late 20's ish, and for whatever reason, she singled me out among the numerous other furs and came up to me asking for some spare change to buy food.
I live in SF, and I know homeless and not well to do people, and one of the things I always watch out for are those that ask for money, and end up using it to just buy drugs to get their high instead of real food that they need, or something that will actually help them out. I wondered if this young woman might be doing the same, but when I looked at her, I could see that she was sincere, there was something about her that was obviously different, and she was definitely a level headed individual who was on tough times. I ended up giving her enough to hopefully last a few small meals, and briefly talked to her a bit before wishing her the best as she went on her way. She was very genuine and grateful, and also surprised a bit. I may have gone without much to eat that day, but she obviously needed something way more than I did. When I look at what happened, I think back, and maybe she did end up just spending it on something dumb, but then again maybe not, and my hope is that one day, she'll be back on her feet, living well, and she will remember that guy from that strange convention happening of animal people, and she'll remember that there are people who want to help out in that fandom.
Anyways, after that happened, getting back home the next day and resting up, I get a call from a church friend who wants to know if I would be interested in helping out in a community project.
Turns out that this friend along with a few others go out to a pretty sketchy part of the next city over, where crime is high and the rate of poverty is as well, and they just set up a bbq pit, buy a truck load of hot dogs and drinks, and invite the not so well to do individuals off the street to come and have fellowship with people, talk, eat, and build relationship. I had heard of this outreach and wondered about it, but the area where this takes place was always something I was wary of. But for whatever reason I decided to go.
It ended up being one of the most incredible experiences of my life.
As I helped out that night, cooking hot dogs, talking to these different people, my heart went out for them. It's easy for me in SF to go through the city and see the different homeless and poor individuals and almost not think of them as people, just another person there on the street. But actually getting up close, talking to them, finding out their backgrounds, it was truly incredible. Each of them had a story, and wether it was bad choices in life, or just pure bad luck, they found themselves to where they are now. One individual in particular I had a heart for. He couldnt speak, it was obvious that from a past of what was probably some drug, it had left his mind not quite working correctly. He couldnt look one direction at a time, if you tried to talk to him he'd sort of daze out and walk around. But this guy had a skateboard on him, given, a very old and terribly beat up skateboard, but it was still functional. After we gave him food and drink and he mingled about a bit, he got on the board and started just going up and down the street, but oh my gosh he had total control and skill. He was carving down the hill and doing slides and whatnot like nothing, and yet when off the board, he was totally dazed and unable to communicate. It made me wonder what happened to him through his life to get to that point, I figure at one point skating was a big deal to him when he was younger.
After that night, I went home and just had to think to myself for a long time. Realizing how many of these people out in the streets are not just "crazies" or "people who rebelled and are dangerous", but they are actually true individuals, just as much as any of us are individuals, and every bit of help that they get can be absolutely life changing.
I feel that I have a big heart for these sort of people now, and I want to get involved in doing more things like this, cause those experiences of being able to be there and help out truly impacted me in a way that nothing has before.
My hope is that other fur's can also experience this sort of thing, or at least be aware that these people are people and every bit of help can mean the world. Go out of your way to be a supporter when you get the chance, Be wise of course, and be careful, but do what you can.
For sure, im seeing things different now.
It all started on the last night of FC. I had not eaten anything all day and the only thing other than water I had consumed was a frapucino thing from the in hotel starbucks. I decided to go out and try to grab something from subway across the street. I was very low on money so this was most likely going to be my last major meal until getting back home the following day.
As I was walking down the street, there were quite a few other fur's around, all mingling about, fursuits, people, etc, and I definitely blended in with my random fur stuff. I wasn't in suit but I had my tail, and other little accessories. As I walked down the street, I noticed a young woman approaching me, she seemed somewhere around late 20's ish, and for whatever reason, she singled me out among the numerous other furs and came up to me asking for some spare change to buy food.
I live in SF, and I know homeless and not well to do people, and one of the things I always watch out for are those that ask for money, and end up using it to just buy drugs to get their high instead of real food that they need, or something that will actually help them out. I wondered if this young woman might be doing the same, but when I looked at her, I could see that she was sincere, there was something about her that was obviously different, and she was definitely a level headed individual who was on tough times. I ended up giving her enough to hopefully last a few small meals, and briefly talked to her a bit before wishing her the best as she went on her way. She was very genuine and grateful, and also surprised a bit. I may have gone without much to eat that day, but she obviously needed something way more than I did. When I look at what happened, I think back, and maybe she did end up just spending it on something dumb, but then again maybe not, and my hope is that one day, she'll be back on her feet, living well, and she will remember that guy from that strange convention happening of animal people, and she'll remember that there are people who want to help out in that fandom.
Anyways, after that happened, getting back home the next day and resting up, I get a call from a church friend who wants to know if I would be interested in helping out in a community project.
Turns out that this friend along with a few others go out to a pretty sketchy part of the next city over, where crime is high and the rate of poverty is as well, and they just set up a bbq pit, buy a truck load of hot dogs and drinks, and invite the not so well to do individuals off the street to come and have fellowship with people, talk, eat, and build relationship. I had heard of this outreach and wondered about it, but the area where this takes place was always something I was wary of. But for whatever reason I decided to go.
It ended up being one of the most incredible experiences of my life.
As I helped out that night, cooking hot dogs, talking to these different people, my heart went out for them. It's easy for me in SF to go through the city and see the different homeless and poor individuals and almost not think of them as people, just another person there on the street. But actually getting up close, talking to them, finding out their backgrounds, it was truly incredible. Each of them had a story, and wether it was bad choices in life, or just pure bad luck, they found themselves to where they are now. One individual in particular I had a heart for. He couldnt speak, it was obvious that from a past of what was probably some drug, it had left his mind not quite working correctly. He couldnt look one direction at a time, if you tried to talk to him he'd sort of daze out and walk around. But this guy had a skateboard on him, given, a very old and terribly beat up skateboard, but it was still functional. After we gave him food and drink and he mingled about a bit, he got on the board and started just going up and down the street, but oh my gosh he had total control and skill. He was carving down the hill and doing slides and whatnot like nothing, and yet when off the board, he was totally dazed and unable to communicate. It made me wonder what happened to him through his life to get to that point, I figure at one point skating was a big deal to him when he was younger.
After that night, I went home and just had to think to myself for a long time. Realizing how many of these people out in the streets are not just "crazies" or "people who rebelled and are dangerous", but they are actually true individuals, just as much as any of us are individuals, and every bit of help that they get can be absolutely life changing.
I feel that I have a big heart for these sort of people now, and I want to get involved in doing more things like this, cause those experiences of being able to be there and help out truly impacted me in a way that nothing has before.
My hope is that other fur's can also experience this sort of thing, or at least be aware that these people are people and every bit of help can mean the world. Go out of your way to be a supporter when you get the chance, Be wise of course, and be careful, but do what you can.
For sure, im seeing things different now.
