Bigger Vision Homeless Shelter is an unassuming building located under the railroad bridge near downtown Athens, Ga. Many people depend on this venue as a place to sleep and eat in the Athens community. Cartoon by Ashley Lawrence.
By COLES EHLERS – Staff Writer
Clarke Central High School sophomore Coles Ehlers and a group from Emmanuel Episcopal Church went and served dinner at the Bigger Vision Homeless Shelter. While there, they met with the people and gained a new perspective on the less fortunate residents.
Walking through Downtown Athens, one of the things people may notice is the amount of homeless people asking for money, sitting at corners and holding up signs. According to the Athens’ Human and Economic Development Department there are 188 homeless adults living in Athens, and more in the surrounding towns and counties.
Addiction and homelessness go hand in hand, where the people fall into a worse and worse condition. Unfortunately, almost all of the homeless shelters in Athens do not allow high or drunk residents. However, these people still need help, and that’s where Bigger Vision Homeless Shelter comes in. Bigger Vision is the only homeless shelter in Athens that allows people under the influence to enter, but you wouldn’t know it from walking in.
Last Sunday, my church, Emmanuel Episcopal, volunteered to serve dinner at Bigger Vision. When arriving, we noticed that there was a large crowd outside already, even though dinner didn’t start for another 30 minutes. An administrator of the shelter explained to us that only 30 people can eat dinner and stay the night there at a time, so people got there early on.
While we unloaded the food and walked in, I was surprised by how quiet it was. For such a large group of people, only a few were talking. A couple people thanked us, and while unloading we had a lot of eyes on us.
We got inside, set up the food and the tables, and waited. The doors were unlocked and the people came in. The crowd was very diverse with people of all races and genders. Some people smiled or nodded at us, and others looked away. Everyone found a seat, and after a few short announcements, a blessing was given.
We passed around plates and drinks, and the whole time, everyone was thanking and complimenting us. They were all so friendly and I never felt uncomfortable at any time. However, I did feel a strange disconnect between the people and those serving them. It was kind of strange, how even though we looked more or less the same, there was a huge gap between us.
When we finally left, after being thanked about 100 times, I had a realization. If I had encountered those people on the street, I probably would never have talked to them. Some would’ve seemed normal, but some of them I would have judged or ignored, and yet I had just served dinner to a room of them and been incredibly well received. So, next time I see a homeless person, even if I don’t have a full conversation, I won’t just keep walking.
