Written Reflection:
Hi, I’m Celine Yoon, and I’ll talk about our experience on the clothing drive for our DC trip. During the trip to DC, we handed out clothes we had collected earlier, such as jackets, sweatshirts, sweatpants, button-down shirts, t-shirts, dress pants, toiletries, and menstrual products. The weather is getting colder, people need warm clothing to stay outside, especially at night. We visited three different parks in DC, including Franklin Park. We talked to about 20 people who were in need and were able to provide them with what they needed. Unfortunately, we didn’t see any women outside so we couldn’t hand out the menstrual products.
One moment that stood out to me was when a man asked for a beanie. We had a baseball cap we could offer instead of a beanie, but he refused it, saying it would make him look suspicious. Something as small as a hat could change how he’s perceived, which made me think how difficult things can be for people in his situation.
This moment made me think about the deeper struggles of people experiencing homelessness. In class, we talked about the stereotypes of people who are experiencing homelessness and we have talked about how people experiencing homelessness are often judged by them, and it hit me that this man was trying to avoid being seen as a stereotype when he goes out in public.
The challenges of homelessness extend far beyond basic needs like food and shelter. There is also the constant pressure of how others perceive them.
What stayed with me the most was the gratitude everyone showed. Hearing 'God bless you' from someone who is struggling reminded me how small acts of kindness can make a big difference. This experience gave me a better understanding of how our class discussions on homelessness and stereotypes play out in real life.
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