I See You

It is very hard to explain what happens at the PARC. There are so many successes that aren't measurable. We can't count them as a 'success' when we do our statistics, but they are incredible miracles in which we rejoice.

What I say most about the PARC is that when they come here they get to be themselves. We have the privilege of knowing them; really seeing them and helping find that person they are meant to be. That is when you see the greatest change.

Mental illness is an issue with many that are homeless. There are many that come to the PARC, and as long as they are able to not be disruptive we let them stay. We do our best to develop relationship and get to know them; who they truly are. I think these two stories help to show our hearts for those who come and the difference it is truly making, even though you can't see it in the statistics.(Our statistics are pretty high by the way. We have a 67.7% success rate of those moving forward in measurable ways.)

I was talking to someone the other night and she said, "My mom loves the PARC." I asked her how she knew about it. "Oh, she was homeless a few years ago. She talks about the PARC all the time. She is now a very successful business woman, but at the time she was in a manic stage of her Bipolar illness. She doesn't really remember much from that time." I replied, "But, she remembers the PARC." I believe that she remembers the PARC because this is where she found herself. This is where she could be her true self and be accepted, and so she remembered. 

We have a man that comes daily that hears voices. He talks to them and sometimes gets really loud. We do our best to help him get to stay by asking him to talk softer, and reminding him to watch his language. We love him very much, because on occassion we really get to see him. He is kind and respectful, and has very good manners. The other day one of our staff members went over to check on him and ask him to be quieter. As the conversation ended he said, "J. Michael we really like you. I am glad you come." As he walked away he heard J. Michael say, "See, I told ya'll."  He was talking to the voices, but what we heard is that no matter how loud the lies in his head become, he knows that we love him, care about him and want him here. He is accepted, and for him that is a very rare thing.

There are many, many more stories I could tell. I don't understand mental illness, but I do know that they don't like it either. We often see them holding their head or closing their ears to try to make the voices stop. Will we see success? Will they move on to their next? I don't know, but one thing I do know - while they are here they will be loved and accepted to the best of our ability, and that is NOT a small thing. "Whenever you have done it to the least of these, you have done it unto Me."