Be Yourself

So many people walk through the doors of the PARC. People from all walks of life. There are educators, professionals. artists, licensed counselors, students, fast food workers, dish washers, those with homes and those without. But everyone who walks through our doors finds something special. Many times I see their eyes light up and their countenance change. It's almost as if burdens fall off and walls come down.

There are a lot of reasons I can think of that might explain this. The PARC is a place of acceptance, so no matter what your walk of life is or your socio-economic status, people find that they can be themselves. I often say that this is the first place where I have ever worked that I can be exactly who I am and it's the right thing to do. There is no judgement here. I don't have to act like I have experienced the things that they are going through. As I am my authentic self, they have the freedom to be where they are and who they are and not be judged. That is a wonderful gift no matter who you are.

Everyone who comes finds that they begin to move forward. Moving forward is as individual as each person that comes. For some it means getting a new perspective on life and the way they view people. For others it means stepping out of their comfort zone and doing things and having conversations they have never had before. For many it means finding the confidence to look for a job, go for that interview or even move from staying outside to living inside. It is a place to belong.

the PARC is good for our community. Yes, it is a place for those who are homeless to come, but it is so much more than that. The PARC changes people. All kinds of people. It is hard to explain, but it is real. And I just LOVE it!!