hard goodbyes

Now, more than a month after my last official day as a Young Adult Volunteer, I am finally saying goodbye. The outreach center where I served during my year was able to hire me in a temporary role for about a month and a half, but that time is coming to a close this Thursday. Because I hadn't felt like it was over yet, I have been waiting to post my final entry. However, today was a special day, and so I want to acknowledge what it symbolizes for me.

My supervisor, Kimberly, wrote this is her daily prayer:

September 28, 2010 … Tender Moments

God, I am thankful for the reminder I received this afternoon of “why we do what we do here at the OAC”…

Katie has been working with George Gilbert in the Exodus Journey program for the last several months. I have watched their interactions from a distance and have listened to Katie when she needed to process the work they were doing together. I have been amazed at the honesty in the conversations they have shared. When Katie felt like she needed to ask George hard questions, she did so. He listened. He respected her.

Katie’s last day with us is this coming Thursday so today was her last appointment with George. I sat in on the meeting so we can make as smooth a transition for George as possible. When we were finished, I asked them if I could take a picture of the two of them. I stepped away after that and allowed them to say “good-bye.” It brought tears to my eyes. George is going to miss Katie. I heard him say something to the effect, “You started this journey with me. You have listened to me.”

As I watched that tender moment, I was reminded that “this is why we do what we do here at the OAC.” It is about genuine care for another; compassion for their struggles; the offer of a kind heart and the extension of listening ears. It is a dedication to walk the journey with someone who may not have anybody else to walk the journey with them.

God, thank you for George. Thank you for Katie. Thank you for the steps they have made together. Thank you for this tender moment I experienced today that served as a huge reminder of why we are here! Thanks be to God!

Throughout the past year, the outreach center has been a spiritually centering place for me, and I have met some of the most amazing people in my work as an outreach advocate. I've gotten to meet with Mr. Gilbert on a more regular basis and do some in-depth case management. He is on his way to obtaining permanent housing, and I am sad not to have the opportunity of walking a bit more of the journey with him. This afternoon it was very difficult to tell him goodbye. He held my hand and told me how thankful he was for me, and I made a feeble attempt at telling him the same.

Now I feel as though my YAV year is finally over. That was a tough but necessary step in closure. I am so grateful for the time I spent at the OAC, and look forward to keeping in touch with everyone there!