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BizB
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Sparrow's Nest
2007-12-22 |
Yesterday, a group consisting of Bubbles, Princess B, Bunny, Princess B's big-sis and parents, as well as myself visited Toledo's Sparrow's Nest. The purpose of our visit was similar to last year's visit to The Cherry Street Mission.
Except, this year, it was the girls' idea, not mine. Since that May 2006 adventure, the girls have been saving money that they've earned from lots of different sources. There were bracelet's that they hand-made and sold to relatives. There were chores that they did. There was dog-walking for neighbors. I'm probably forgetting some of the
things they did, but you get the idea. The girls wanted to do another tour of a facility and see what their money would be used for and they chose The Sparrow's Nest, the facility for women run by The Cherry Street Mission. This facility, like its counterpart, is a missionary and the bible is a big part of their program.
We arrived at shortly after 7pm and we entered they foyer where they had a nice Christmas tree set up and decorated. The windows to the office area were also decorated. Inside the office, there were some snacks that were brought in earlier in the day by the Ottawa Hills High School students. The women in the facility were participating in
a bible study while we were there, so we had the opportunity to see the sleeping areas. The mission is divided into three parts. The people who are using the facility as just a place to sleep and eat are confined to the lower floor. In their sleeping area, they have a bed. They are allowed to bring in only the clothes on their backs. Each
woman is checked for contraband when they enter the facility including the use of a metal detection wand. They are not allowed to wear shoes in the downstairs area. All of these measures are in place for the safety of the residents and the staff. The girls were curious to know how they decide who gets the top bunk.
Next, we went to the kitchen. If I remember correctly, the men's facility doesn't have a kitchen on premises. They have to go to another building 3 blocks away for their meals. The women cook their own meals and clean up the kitchen when they're done. Meals are scheduled at specific times, so it's not like they can just run down and make an omelette
whenever they want. Still, being able to cook and clean up after one's self must have some psychological benefits. They had some donated 12-packs of Coke stacked up and that triggered questions about where their food comes from. Is it donated? Do you buy it? Is there specific things that you need more than others?
The flavor of things upstairs is completely different than the transient area on the lower floor. The women who are housed upstairs are part of the Ready for Life Program. In this program, the women are given a lot more responsibility and they're encouraged to seek out help in those areas where they struggle. In Stage One the ladies are given
a locker where they can keep their clothing and personal belongings. Everything they bring into the facility is inspected before they're given the Okay to keep it. The lockers etc are subject to inspection at the facility's discretion at any time, again, for everyone's safety. To my surprize, they don't have any problems with theft in these upstairs
areas. Though, downstairs is a different story.
Beyond stage one, there are two additional levels for the women to attain. Level 2 affords them some more privacy with cubical walls separating the beds. These women are almost ready for returning as productive members of society. They've proven that they can accept authority and they can follow rules and keep a schedule. Each room in the house
has a bird's name and picture posted outside the door rather than a room number.
The level three area was being remodeled and nobody was staying in that room, but you can see from these pictures that they're given even more room and more luxuries when they reach level three. Typically these women will spend some nights at the shelter, and some nights with family in an effort to adjust to life outside the shelter.
All of these areas in the upstairs share some common areas including a sitting room, a laundry room, a bathroom, a computer/class room, and a family room. In the family room, they have games, a TV, DVD and VCR and some nicer furniture. On Friday nights, they have "Movie Night" each week.
After the tour, we went back to the director's office where the girls presented the director with a gift donation and some hand-made Christmas cards. The director was holding back tears as she opened each. The girls donated $223.00 to a worthy cause. That's $150+ more than they donated last year! I'm so proud of each of them. I never did anything like this when I was a kid.
When we were done with the tour, I took the four girls to Taco Bell for our traditional dinner-after-dance-class feast.
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 Betty Boop Sat Dec 29 08:38:03 AM
What a lovely movie clip! Such fun! See how much easier it is to raise one child at a time - we have so often wished we could have done the same with all of you - but we would be just too old. Anyhow, we did the best we could and Biz - you have done a great job with both of yours.
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 sopops Fri Dec 28 07:43:29 AM
Raising a family is your private charity that will keep you busy donating to. I have found that in later years there have been many opportunities to to that, with both time and money, so don't be embarrassed.
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 b33nz Thu Dec 27 08:45:54 PM
That story made me cry. I'm embarrassed to say that they have given more to charity than I have.
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 BizB Mon Dec 24 06:34:08 PM
That was dinner last night! We both (Bubbles and me) love olives, but there was just too much food. We couldn't eat it all!
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Betty Boop Mon Dec 24 03:57:38 PM
We forgot to ask "what are the 2 pictures next to the last from?" It looks like some people don't like olives!!
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sopops Mon Dec 24 10:46:52 AM
Wish I was at your house for breakfast!!I wish I was there almost all the time to share in the good fun, both at your house and Big Bro,s, its always fun when we all get together, and especially when the next generation is there. Our family circle keeps growing, along with cookies family we could have quite a gathering. Merry Christmas to all our family.
Love and Peace to all.
SOPOPS
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BizB Mon Dec 24 08:41:24 AM
Create a holiday sweater of your own design.
Thank God they don't have a "Buy this sweater now" button.
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 revitup314 Sun Dec 23 11:07:06 PM
Wow - just checked your sight and what an inspiration those girls are! God bless them for their generous hearts.
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Betty Boop Sun Dec 23 12:36:28 PM
I just visited the roller coaster ride video for the first time in ages! If you are ever lonely and want to hear girls scream, that is the perfect place to go! 
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Betty Boop Sun Dec 23 09:27:26 AM
Your notes of thanks are great. You are really a very nice guy.
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Betty Boop Sat Dec 22 02:10:53 PM
Please tell the girls I am proud of them too. So very proud. What wonderful adults they will be. 
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