Post #11

Today I was able to do an individual feeding! I saw a homeless man holding. sign by the exit of a shopping center so I went in and parked. I walked over and asked him if he would like a sandwich and he said yes! I walked over to Subway  and got him a sandwich. As I was walking out, I slipped the note I had written in class into the the bag. When I handed it to him I reintroduced myself and found out his name was Mark. I handed him the sandwhich as he was so grateful! As I got into my car and pulled out of my parking spot I saw that he was reading the letter. When I drove away he had finished reading it and had a big smile on his face, waved, and said thank you! It's the moments like those, when I see those smiles that reminds me why I choose this as my project. 

Post #10

The past few weeks have been tough to find time for the feedings. I haven't been able to do one since the first one where I fed around 14 people. Since I haven't had time for the big group feeding, my plan is to do individual feedings and be able to talk with each individual as I meet them! Im planning to do one by tomorrow! 

Blog Post #9

This past week I met with Mrs. Roselman who is in charge of Willow Glen Cares. From meeting with her I got these statistics:

-California state poverty line is an income of $30,000 a year for a family of 4.

-62% of Willow Glen High School students meet this or fall below this line.

-Willow Glen is classified as a Title One school due to this.

Even though the students aren't out on the streets, they still fall below the poverty line.

Blog Post #6

As its raining, I really have been wondering what homeless people do when it rains. Where do they sleep, how do they stay warm? Maybe I should brainstorm and figure out answers and solutions to those questions

Blog Post #5

"The primary reasons San José residents become homeless are the lack of affordable housing and the lack of sufficient income. "

-As looking through websites and researching a little, the majority of cases of homelessness in San Jose are cause by the price of living. With the price being so high, more and more people and families can't afford it, and this causes them to end up on the streets. 

Blog Post#4

This week sadly I was unable to go on Monday and do a feeding. But as I've been driving around and seeing some homeless people who were there last week, it's cool to be able to think that I got to serve them! I plan on cooking for them next week and hopefully finding William this weekend and buying him a sandwich or something!

Post #3

As soon as I woke up this morning all I could think about was: my first day and shot at serving and building a friendship with the homeless in my area was finally here! When I walked out of my room this morning my dad did warn me that not many people or no one may even show up because we were relying on William to get the word out. And that's when I started worrying! After school, I came home and began cooking spaghetti and meatballs that I would serve tonight! I bagged carrots, a napkin, and a fork together, packed the bread sticks, and put the pasta in a big pan and loaded it all in the car. While driving over, all I could think about was: I hope at least William shows up so that he knows I kept my word! When we showed up, my biggest fear came true, no one was there. While I stayed at the car, my dad walked towards a dumpster by the creek they have been staying in. He found one guy sitting behind the dumpster and talked to him and asked for his permission to go into the "creek area" and see if anyone was there and if so if they wanted dinner. After he came out, he said he saw about 4 people and that they said they would come. Soon enough two of them came and I started to serve them.

as I was serving them, one of the men's girlfriend came with a few other people who live out of their car. I was so extricate that I actually got to serve people, but still not William. After being there for an hour, I needed to start heading out for an event at school. As I was driving out, I kept thinking and wishing that Willaim would show up. Well lucky enough, as I was driving out hy the sign where I first saw him the night before, I saw him sitting there! I parked the car and got out and told him that he could head over and get some pasta and he looked at me and smiled and said thank you! I was so relieved that I was able to find him so he knew that I kept my word and came! The total amount of people that showed up ended up coming out to be around 13 people! Serving out of the bavk of the car was certainly no gourmet style but they appreciated it all! The feeling I got when I got to see how happy and thankful they were when they got served was priceless and reassured me that what I was doing, was not just for them, but a blessing to me:) 

Post #2

Yesterday I got the opportunity to meet a man named William. While my dad and I were looking for the local encampments that we used to help, we realized they had all been kicked out due to construction. While driving away, I saw William sitting by a sign and asked my dad to stop. After buying him a sandwich and talking to him for a little bit about how things have changed with the construction, I told him that I would be back tomorrow with a meal and asked if he could tell some of his friends. After walking away my heart was impacted and I couldn't wait to come back the next day and be able to meet more people and serve them dinner! This was truely the first step in my journey:)

Blog Post #1

Could you imagine what it would be like to go day by day not knowing whether you will eat that day or not, or not having a house key because you don't have a house, you live on the streets. I don't know about you, but I can't imagine what it would be like to be homeless. Just thinking about it makes me cringe and want to reach out to them, and that's what I'm going to do! Stay tuned to see how my 20% project is going to be centered around the homeless, serving them, and  helping them, while they help me to appreciate all that I have:)