Perspectives From a New Street Hope Volunteer (March, 2023)

Eleanor Protheroe has recently begun volunteering with Street Hope.  I asked her to share some of her impressions.  Here is what she shared.

Street Hope Surprises

I didn’t think I had any preconceived ideas about what a Tuesday evening with Street Hope would be like, but there were some surprises, so I suppose I did.  The Street Hope group began with a brief prayer (no surprise) before heading out with the wagons loaded with soup, sandwiches, juice boxes, water, socks, mitts, and a few blankets.  Almost forgot to mention the cookies and licorice (though personally I think black licorice is much better than red licorice but it wasn’t for me anyways).  As we wandered down Pandora Avenue, we met both men and women (though a preponderance of men) ages about 20 – 70 I would guess.  Some had obvious physical or mental health ailments, some appeared comatose, many were actively using, and a few appeared to be simply homeless with no obvious substance issues (but what do I know?).  Surprising to me was that, even though there was drug paraphernalia everywhere, there was no foul language and no rudeness; most people were very polite, some appeared to be embarrassed, and almost everyone expressed genuine gratitude for the soup, sandwiches, drink boxes, water, socks, and gloves (cookies and licorice too).  One young man asked why we were doing this, and there were many expressions of ‘You guys are the best.’  On my second night out one woman, after receiving some hot soup, asked if she could give me a hug, and we exchanged hugs.  Last night I prayed with a man who was planning to go into rehab soon and simply said he needed help, not monetary help, but help to live with himself and overcome the trauma of his abuse.

I can’t help but wonder about all the other various stories of deep suffering that this homeless population is trying to escape.  I do know our Heavenly Father knows them all and cares deeply; reaching out with food and drink and some socks and gloves to stave off the hunger and cold is the least that we can do. 

As well, I wonder what else he wants to do through us and the giftings he has given us, to bring healing on the streets of Victoria.