Nov 25, 2013
Below is a letter from Stephanie Johnson, team liaison for Granny Belle’s Angels, a volunteer support team for the Home Team Program. The program is designed to lovingly support people newly housed (formerly homeless) as they transition into housing. Granny Belle’s Angels support a single mother with six children by helping out organizing and cleaning the house, transporting the kids to school and helping the mother, Heather, go shopping for groceries. If you want to join the Home Team Program, contact Robert Nelson today at (505) 226-1700.
Hi Robert,
I think everyone involved thought it was a great day!
On Wednesday, the 20th, Deb, Gordon, Brett and I met at Heather’s to remove old furniture and other household items to bring to the dump. Once we moved the couches, it became apparent that we all wanted the room clean before we moved the new couch in the living room and arranged the furniture. We gathered cleaning products from around the house, got a vacuum and broom (which Deb donated!), paper towels, tools and more cleaning supplies from Gordon and we were off.
The living room buzzed with activity – vacuuming, window and wall washing, clothes sorting, demolition, furniture repair. Heather directed what was to stay or go, sorted items, vacuumed. We told her that she was the manager and we were the muscle; it was a collaborative effort all around. Heather was smiling, helping, and sometimes appeared overwhelmed, but relieved at what we were doing/able to accomplish. It was hard work, fun, a team effort.
Heather’s daughter, Jana, popped in and out to help, answered questions and went out and bought us all drinks and sandwiches. We sat outside and joked that, "we ate as a family." It was like herding cats to get everyone to stop and sit and eat as we were so focused on what we were doing. The women joked about how nice it was to have men around the house to do the heavy lifting, repair broken furniture, cupboards and faucets.
After we loaded the trucks with the old furnishings, we sat and got out our calendars to plan on our next work days and brainstorm the items/tools we needed to bring. Heather decided the day and which room in the house and wrote it in her calendar. We are meeting next week to work on the laundry area and kitchen.
The day was also Heather’s son’s birthday, so the team had chipped in to buy a gift card to Hinkle Family Fun Center; enough for Heather and her son, LJ, as well as a friend, a sibling or a team member to go along. LJ chose Gordon to go with him! We also got a card and some toiletries for Jana, whose birthday was also in March. She too, was pleased. I was touched that she invited me to see her room. She has an interest in interior decorating and was proud to show it me. It is fun, girly, and very neat. An oasis in the middle of chaos.
We are all very excited and content that we are able to get to know our neighbor and her family more. We left tired, happy, amidst hugs and waves good-bye to all. A great day!
As an aside, we have been able to raise $250, get two dressers, a bookcase, ironing board & iron, linens, food, games for the kids, paper goods, toiletries and some clothes. Other team members are going to do the same outreach to friends and family. We are hopeful that their efforts will be fruitful. Now, we’ll be able to go to CostCo and stock the house with the basics. Heather and I are going to make a list and go shopping soon!
Have a good weekend
See you Monday.
Stephanie