Page 17 of Moonlit Kisses

“Yeah. These kids have very little, most only have the clothes on their back. Having this area set up gives them a sense of fun. It allows them to be kids for a little while, at least.” I nod in agreement. As a kid, I thought it was the absolute best when Mom bought me a new coloring book. I always made it last as long as possible, only coloring a small amount each day.

We walk down a short hallway to a dining area. “This is the dining room. We have tea and coffee making facilities which are accessible to the women. A microwave, fridge, stove, and toaster. We want the women that stop in here for any length of time to have a sense of independence. Often, they’ve lost that in their situation.”

The tables are arranged like you would find in any restaurant. At the last shelter I volunteered, the dining room looked more like a mess hall. Long stainless steel tables with chairs on either side. It didn’t allow for this level of personal interaction.

“Are you available to stay and help tonight?”

“Absolutely. Put me to work.”

“Great, I might get you to come back and restock the counter over here with tea and coffee.” I nod. “Also, on the nights you volunteer, feel free to grab a meal and join the ladies. We find it a great way to interact with the women in a way that’s non-threatening and less invasive. They tend to open up more about their situation when you share a meal with them.”

I’m loving the sound of this place. “That sounds like a great approach.”

Simone gives me one of her warm smiles. “We do our best to make our ladies feel comfortable and at home.” She guides me out of the dining room and into the kitchen. “This is where the meal prep and cooking takes place.” A small woman, probably in her fifties, with bright pink hair is checking something in the oven. “This is Rhonda, our cook.”

“Hi, Rhonda.” I give her a small wave.

“Rhonda. This is Molly. Molly is going to be volunteering with us. She recently moved all the way from Portland, Maine.”

Rhonda wipes her hands on the side of her pants and holds out her hand. I shake it. “Wow. That’s a long way away. What made you move all the way over here?”

I shrug and swallow down the lump that always forms at the thought of why I’ve moved all the way to the opposite side of the country. “Wanted a fresh start, I guess.”

“Well, it’s great to have you on board. We can always do with more volunteers.”

“I’m excited about getting started.”

“I’m giving Molly the tour. Then she’s going to come through to top up the tea and coffee center. If there’s anything you need her to do, let her know.”

Rhonda nods and waves us away. “Rhonda’s been with us since we opened. She has quite the story to tell and will happily share it with you.”

“I would imagine there are a lot of stories within these walls.” Some of them may even be similar to Mom’s.

“You bet.” She waves her arm out as we enter a large dormitory. “This is one of our dormitories. We have three dormitories. Twelve beds in each. This dormitory doesn’t have any cribs. It’s for women who don’t have children.”

The room has twelve simple beds, divided by low panels to offer a semblance of privacy. There’s a single lockable cabinet and a large drawer beneath each bed. The area is spotless, ready and waiting for tonight’s guests. Simone shows me through the other two dorms and then takes me through to the back of the building.

“Here we have ten small rooms which have two beds and cribs in each. We can have up to twenty women staying for up to six weeks at a time. It’s enough time to help them get on their feet. As you’re probably already aware, not all women are ready or at the point where they trust they can make the change toward a life away from the streets.”

I nod. “Yeah. Some women don’t have that trust in themselves that they’re good enough to win and hold on to a job, which makes it difficult to gain the funds to create a home environment.”

Simone hums her agreement.

The rooms are compact but offer greater privacy than the dorms we walked through earlier. Simple furniture of drawers and a wardrobe offer the feeling of permanency. We keep moving through the building to a couple of meeting rooms.

“We have Kelly, a counselor, who comes through each morning to eat breakfast with the ladies. She talks with them about their future. Any plans, dreams, and hopes they might have. Then she works with the ladies to help make things happen. We also have Jodie. She comes to us from Women’s and Children’s Services. She guides the women toward any assistance they’re entitled to. Fortunately, we also have access to pro bono lawyers to help disentangle the women from toxic relationships when they’re ready to do so.”

“This place is amazing and the services you’re providing for the women are incredible.” I’m impressed by everything they have on offer for the women who come through this facility.

She tips her head, offering me a pleased smile. “We do our best. Our founder was once homeless, so she has a good understanding of what needed to be offered to the women.”

That makes this place even more impressive. “Well, it shows. I can’t wait to get started.”

Simone laughs. “I love your enthusiasm. Let’s get you back to the dining room. I know you said you’re hopeless in the kitchen, but do you mind helping Rhonda tonight?”

“Of course not. I’m happy to help wherever you need.”

We head back to the kitchen and Rhonda shows me where the stock is so that I can ensure the tea and coffee counter is well stocked. Women and children begin to trickle in, and I introduce myself over the course of the evening.

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