DANS LA RUE - HELPING HOMELESS TEENS

It's a freezing, cold night in December. I am doing my volunteer shift (5 years running) for a non-profit Montreal organization called Dans La Rue (in the streets).

The homeless teens who depend upon the arrival of our van for food, warmth and an open ear; are as young as 14 yrs of age.

My shift starts at 7:30pm and ends at 12:30am but it never ends in my heart or in my soul. When we have finished serving hot dogs, hot chocolate and I have given out some clean comforters and socks; I get in my car, turn the heat on, head home and my mind is spinning.

What if this had been one of my kids? What if I had continued along the wrong path so many years ago? What is it like at such a young age, not to know where you are going to sleep or when your next meal will be?

Why hasn't the government done more to provide housing/shelters for these youth? How can they get the help they need to get off the streets and get their lives on a better path? What opportunities do they have for education, mental health assistance, personal hygiene - the very basics that so many of us take for granted?

                                                            Photo by Leo Cardelli

There are so many questions I arrive at my shift with and that are still there upon my departure.

I think that's because they are never really answered. Everything is in limbo - survival - the way in - the way out.

All I can do is show up and let them know that someone cares about their well being and that they can come in from the cold and have something to eat, drink and stop running even if just for 30 minutes.

When I arrive home, I look around at all I have and I am so thankful. It was a long hard road and by chance I ended up in the right direction.

I know that you can never forget your "young" self because your young self never forgets you.

I know that big changes come slow because the small changes have to come first. We all have to be links in the chain of small changes so we can join together for that one big change. That comes when the time is right and as far helping homeless teens - that time is always right!

(Excerpt from Dans La Rue website so you can learn more and help):     https://danslarue.org/en/

In the early years, Dans la rue developed thanks to the vision and tireless work of our founder, Father Emmett Johns (Pops).

Over the years, more and more people recognized the importance of Pops’ mission and supported Dans la rue with their time and donations.

Dans la rue has grown into a multi-disciplinary team of skilled professionals and dedicated volunteers, all committed to fulfilling Pops’ vision of helping youth survive the streets, get back on their feet, and learn the skills necessary to build a brighter and more independent future.

https://danslarue.org/en/donations/other-ways-to-donate/