We often hear about people
who are now actively using our Community Outreach Center (former school), but
maybe we aren’t sure exactly who is doing what. One of those organizations,
Families in Transition (FIT), offers children after-school enrichment opportunities,
though the impact is far greater than that, as you might see in this reflection
by FIT’s Executive Director Maura Hampton.
“Hoodrat is a slang for
people, coming from inner city circles, raised by the streets.
Hoodrats are rarely well mannered, or educated, instead they are more
characterized by a derelict upbringing, due to the hardships
of hood life in most cities. While some people, coming from the
hood are able to break through the cultural barrier set in front of them, most
people are left behind, to struggle in the midst of inner city difficulties.” (slanglang.net)
I pulled into the parking lot
and saw the children. Desi, Miylah, and King were playing on the sidewalk
when they saw my car. “Mrs. Hampton!” they screamed and came
running. They made such a racket. The excitement they felt at the
sight of my car never ceases to amaze me.
By the time I parked and got out they were right there at my door, full
of questions. Miylah started peering in the windows, trying to see if I
had any treats or toys for them. I
grabbed a small, boxed Christmas tree from my back seat and went to see Desi’s
mother, Ms. Brooks. The children were very curious about my package as we
approached the hallway, and I turned to them and said, “I need to speak to
Desi’s mother so I will see you later.” Miylah, full of her usual antics
started to ask more questions, so I reminded her it was none of her business,
and stepped inside the hallway and knocked on the door. “Who is it?” I heard Ms. Brooks say in a deep
voice. “It is Mrs. Hampton,” I said loudly so she could hear me over the
sound from the t.v. She opened the door
and smiled when she saw me. “Ms. Brooks, I have a Christmas tree for
you. A lady heard about your need and bought you a new one.” Her face lit up. She told me that she
kept her artificial tree at her sister’s storage unit, and it became infested
with bedbugs. “Thank you so much Mrs.
Hampton. You have no idea what this means. Now I can use the money
for the tree towards my rent.”
I asked her about her job search,
and about how her children were doing. We talked about how excited
the children are about our new ministry space. I said we will be able to
have space to do homework, play at the park, offer art and music, and have a
weekly bible study. “Daveon believes in
Jesus, Mrs. Hampton. I heard him tell the kids that Christmas was Jesus’
birthday, and not about presents,” she said.
“Ms. Brooks, your children have been coming to our bible study for 3
years, and I have seen Daveon grow in his faith and knowledge of the
Lord. He has a sincere faith.” I said. She got tears in her
eyes. She told me that Daveon always prays before dinner. I asked
her about Jhernee, her daughter in the seventh grade. She indicated that
she is doing well except in two classes. She had all A’s and is upset
because she has two B’s. “Mrs. Hampton, it is hard for Jhernee because
the twins bother her when she is doing her homework. This week she was
working on a paper, and she kept getting distracted. Writing is not her
strength, and she got a 70 on her paper. She was so upset, she
cried.” “Ms. Brooks, I want you to know
that when I plan for our new space, I think of your children. I want
Jhernee to have a quiet place to work on her homework after school.”
She appeared to be touched by
this and told me that Jhernee would be excited. She shared that Jhernee
never goes outside. “She will only go with you Mrs. Hampton.
Otherwise she is afraid. She just doesn’t have any ‘mean’ in her” she
said. “I know she doesn’t. And I know
how tough it is out here on the streets. That is why I hope Jhernee will
come even though she is in middle school. She can use our office, a place
all her own so she will be able to concentrate.” I said. “That would be so nice Mrs. Hampton.
Nobody thinks about us out here. Even the people who live in the houses
across the street from us, they call our kids “hood rats.” These kids
aren’t bad, they are just a product of their environment,” she said.
We talked for a while longer,
but I honestly don't remember much else from our conversation. I was
upset by the thought that people would refer to anyone as a
"hoodrat." I wished Ms. Brooks Happy Thanksgiving, and I headed
outside. When I got in my car, the kids came over to say goodbye. I
opened my door and Desi leaned in and put her arms around me and lay her head
in my chest. I leaned down and gave her a kiss on the head. “I love
you Desi.” I said. “I love you too.” She
replied. “And you know who I love too? God.” And she lifted
her head and looked at me with her big beautiful dark eyes. These precious children are created and loved
by God. They are made in His image. And it is in their faces, that
I see the Lord most clearly.
